Free Web NovelHan Kyungyeong was silent for quite a while.
“Hyung?”
— Hold on. Let me get my thoughts straight. So you’re saying you need currency experts... meaning what I think it means, right?
“That’s right. I just finished my final conversation with Jang Songthaek and I’m on my way back now. We agreed to send currency experts to Pyongyang, and after discussing things with them, we’ll put together a proper plan.”
Han Kyungyeong let out a deep sigh before responding.
— The moment you touch that the wrong way, it’s like setting off a nuclear bomb. You know that, right? Especially in a country ruled by a dictator like North Korea—you know it’s even more dangerous there.
“How could I not know? Do you think I’m unaware of that? Even our own country made a massive mistake back in the days of the military regime. Because of that, even though our economic scale keeps growing and we’re at a point where currency reform is needed, we can’t even discuss it. That’s how dangerous it is—I know that better than anyone. But this is something that absolutely has to be done. Especially for North Korea. Right now, North Korean money circulating on the streets doesn’t circulate at all. It’s no better than scraps of paper. Unless that money is collected and a new currency is issued, North Korea’s economy can’t develop. I agree with Jang Songthaek on that.”
— Still......
Han Kyungyeong trailed off. The very fact that I was involving myself in North Korea’s currency reform seemed to make him uneasy.
But it was already too late to worry about that.
“Since I’ve decided to do this, I have no intention of letting them repeat the same mistakes other dictatorships made. We need to help them carry out a proper currency reform. So put together advisory teams made up of experts well-versed in currency, economics, and exchange rates, and send them to Pyongyang. They can enter via Russia. We’ll discuss the detailed entry process later—just start by assembling advisory teams suitable for this task.”
— Ha...... No matter how much I try to stop you, you won’t listen, will you? Fine. I’ll try putting together advisory teams with experts. Entering through Russia means this has to be done secretly, right?
“That’s right. In matters like this, security is everything.”
He didn’t need things spelled out. Han Kyungyeong would understand my intent and prepare what was needed without further explanation.
— Got it. I’ll look for people who know how to keep their mouths shut. By when do you need the team assembled? Is the timeline tight?
“The groundbreaking ceremony for the Kaesong Industrial Complex is in June...... I’d like to dispatch the advisory teams before that. Can you manage it?”
— That gives us about two months. That should be more than enough. I’ll send you a list as soon as it’s ready. You can choose from there and let me know.
Hearing that, my shoulders felt lighter. If Han Kyungyeong said it was doable, then it was.
He was the type who would flatly say no if something was impossible.
“Thanks. Even if they don’t perfectly meet the criteria, they absolutely must be people who can maintain secrecy. I don’t think I even need to review them myself. Hyung, just put together teams of people you think are appropriate.”
No matter how carefully I looked, I’d only be judging people based on ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) documents.
Han Kyungyeong’s eyes—living and working in the US—would be far more reliable.
— Once they enter North Korea, they won’t be able to leave or contact anyone anyway, so secrecy won’t be an issue. As long as the money’s good, there will be people willing to go. Of course, that assumes their safety is guaranteed......
“Don’t worry about safety. Given the current climate, there’s no reason to detain US citizens. Jang Songthaek isn’t that crazy.”
— Well, in that case, all it takes is enough money. But Muhyuk, wouldn’t it be better for you to interview them personally? You’re coming to the US anyway before that, right?
Han Kyungyeong kept repeating the same point. Considering North Korea was involved, it was understandable he’d be worried.
I let out a short laugh and replied.
“No. It’s fine. You’ll handle it well. Just let me know once things are ready. I need to pass it on to Jang Songthaek’s side so we can discuss entry timing and methods. We’ll fine-tune the details later—just get the list together first.”
— Okay, boss.
The call with Han Kyungyeong ended.
I slipped the warmed phone into my inner pocket and got back into the car.
The car began to move slowly, and by the time we arrived in Pyeongchang-dong, the sun was slowly rising.
* * *
With the inter-Korean summit successfully concluded, Jang Songthaek and his delegation returned to North Korea.
At the same time, South Korea entered full-fledged election mode.
As the official campaign period began, election rallies sprang up all across the country.
Like any party would feel, this general election was especially crucial for the Centrist Party.
It was being held barely a year after President Yoon Changho’s inauguration.
To secure a majority in the National Assembly, the Centrist Party launched an intense campaign.
Among them, Lee Myungsoo was particularly busy. Leaving his own district behind, he traveled from one battleground district to another to give support speeches.
— Did you all watch the summit? The South and the North are moving forward together toward the future. How long are we going to keep dividing our nation and our people with outdated labels like “pro-North left” or “anti-communist right”?
A large crowd gathered at the news that Lee Myungsoo would be giving a support speech.
The image of a young, promising politician was more than enough to capture people’s admiration.
— Our Centrist Party must now break free from those obsolete ideological disputes. We will pursue politics that allow the South and the North to unite, and the people to unite, and be happy together. To make that happen, please cast your vote for Candidate Kim Seongpil standing here. To build the Republic of Korea that President Yoon Changho dreams of, and to move toward peace, each and every one of your votes matters! Send Candidate Kim Seongpil to the National Assembly!
After finishing his support speech, Lee Myungsoo stepped down from the campaign vehicle.
His aide quickly handed him a bottle of water. Apparently thirsty, Lee Myungsoo drained it in one go and wiped his mouth.
“......Where do we go next?”
“You need to head straight to Gangwon Province. You have two support rallies there, and then you’ll go directly down to Busan to campaign in your own district.”
“This is driving me insane...... I don’t even know how many days I’ve been doing this. I’m a candidate running in my own district too, you know.”
“Several candidates are still calling, asking for support appearances. We’re trying to focus the schedule on battleground areas, but the other side is saying there’s a lot of talk that you’re only going to support rallies for people you’re close to—since people say an arm bends inward.”
Lee Myungsoo frowned at his aide’s words.
“What, do those guys even have the right to say that to me? Aide Lee Hyunwoo. Do they not know that the reason I’m running around like this is because of the people who left the party after refusing to accept the primary results?”
As Lee Myungsoo raised his voice, Lee Hyunwoo quickly scanned the surroundings and lowered his own.
“There are a lot of eyes on us. Let’s get in the car first.”
With a sigh, Lee Myungsoo nodded.
“Fine. Let’s go.”
The aide guided him, and Lee Myungsoo quickly boarded the waiting van.
As soon as the vehicle pulled away, Lee Myungsoo started grumbling.
“I’m busting my ass like this, and I don’t understand what kind of grudge those guys have that makes them keep asking me to come. This is really driving me crazy.”
“Isn’t it because your name recognition is higher than anyone else right now?”
“No, those guys are guaranteed to win anyway, aren’t they? So why do they need me? They’re running in districts where you win just by planting the party flag, and they’re asking for support rallies? It’s bullshit. Absolute bullshit. Don’t you think so, Aide?”
At Lee Myungsoo's question, Lee Hyunwoo gave an awkward smile.
Knowing how hard his aide had it, Lee Myungsoo swallowed any further complaints and just pouted. freewebnovёl.ƈom
“Since they can’t get to me directly, they must be harassing you instead. It’s been rough, hasn’t it?”
“It’s fine.”
Lee Hyunwoo said it wasn’t, but Lee Myungsoo knew exactly how things were.
Smiling, Lee Myungsoo rested his arm on the seat beside Lee Hyunwoo and said,
“Come on. I know better than anyone what those old men are like. So what do you think we should do? Should I go give those support speeches? Tell me what you think.”
“Hm...... How about stopping by Daegu and Pohang once? Those areas aren’t so much supporters of the Centrist Party as they are traditional supporters of the old conservative party, aren’t they?”
“That’s right. That’s why those old men got their nominations automatically and are basically guaranteed to win. Is there any reason to give support speeches in places like that?”
Despite Lee Myungsoo's provocative question, Lee Hyunwoo replied without backing down.
“That’s precisely why you should go. With this administration redefining relations with North Korea starting from the inter-Korean summit, we also need the support of conservative voters who traditionally backed the conservative party.”
“Hm......”
Nodding, Lee Myungsoo began organizing his thoughts.
People said regional sentiment had faded away, but it still lingered subtly.
Support for the Progressive Party remained strong in Honam, while support for the Centrist Party remained strong in Yeongnam—no, to be precise, support for the conservative party.
‘Daegu and Pohang, huh.’
After thinking for a long time, Lee Myungsoo finally spoke.
“Will there be time? The schedule sounds pretty tight.”
“What if we free up tomorrow morning to go? After today’s campaign in Busan, you’ll stay at your lodging, and once you greet people in the morning, there’s a bit of free time until the afternoon.”
“Really? Then let’s do that. What about the afternoon schedule tomorrow?”
“You’ll need to stop by Daejeon and Cheongju, then head back to Incheon.”
“So you’re saying I go from Busan to North Gyeongsang, then back to Chungcheong, and finally end the day with a support rally in Incheon? Damn it. Just kill me already.”
At Lee Myungsoo's whining, Lee Hyunwoo let out a small laugh.
“Hey, Aide Lee. Is that funny? I’m serious—I might actually die at this rate. Do something.”
“You only need to endure a little longer. This is what you’ve been running toward all along, isn’t it? After hardship comes reward. If you win the election in the end, everything will be credited to you.”
“Yeah, right. Even if I go through hell like this, those old men will still try to tear me apart. For them, winning the election isn’t what matters—the party leadership is.”
Lee Myungsoo muttered in a voice full of distrust.
The longer he stayed in politics, the closer he got to the center of power, the more his disgust with politics only grew.
“Honestly, I want to kick all those old men out, but it’s just depressing that there’s still no one who can replace them in the TK region.”
Lee Hyunwoo simply listened, without responding.
“......I’ll get some sleep. Wake me up when we arrive at the next campaign site.”
Putting on an eye mask, Lee Myungsoo reclined his seat and drifted into a light sleep.
He must have been exhausted—he began snoring almost immediately.
* * *
After the fierce campaign period finally ended, election day arrived. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
I finished voting early in the morning and waited in my study for the exit polls.
In my hand was an opinion survey report conducted yesterday by the Centrist Party’s think tank.
Although a landslide victory for the Centrist Party was expected, the surprisingly strong performances of candidates who had been cut during the party’s nomination process stood out.
As a result, there were quite a few districts where the outcome was too close to call.
“After the general election is over, leak their corruption cases to Goryeo Ilbo. We should crush them so thoroughly they can never come back. Win or lose.”
I roughly tossed the poll report onto the table.
My mouth tasted bitter.
It was an election with far more favorable factors than unfavorable ones for the Blue House and the Centrist Party.
Excluding Honam, the atmosphere was good enough that sweeping victories nationwide didn’t seem impossible.
That was why I’d thought the Centrist Party could surpass the constitutional amendment threshold of 200 seats without much trouble.
But the polling results were quite different from my expectations.
The survey projected the Centrist Party at 160–180 seats, the Progressive Party at 90–110 seats, and independents at 10–30 seats.
They would secure a majority, but clearing the constitutional amendment line seemed far off.
That meant the value of independent lawmakers—those who had bolted from the party after losing their nominations—would skyrocket.
I had no intention of watching that happen.
“Boss, it looks like they’re about to announce the exit poll results.”
At Manager Ma’s words, I turned my gaze to the TV. The countdown had begun.
[5, 4, 3, 2, 1.]
The moment the countdown ended, the exit poll results appeared on the screen.
[Centrist Party: 170–200 seats.]
[Progressive Party: 80–110 seats.]
With even higher projected numbers than the opinion polls, it was a landslide victory for the Centrist Party.
