Free Web NovelWhen the exit polls were announced, the situation rooms prepared at the headquarters of the Centrist Party and the Progressive Party split cleanly between joy and despair.
Lee Myungsoo, in particular, jumped up from his seat in delight, even throwing an uppercut.
That scene spread across the nation through the cameras.
“Secretary-General Lee, you worked hard.”
Han Jiho stood up and embraced Lee Myungsoo.
He didn’t forget to turn slightly so the cameras could catch them properly.
“You worked hard as well, Representative. From 180 seats to 200! It’ll be hard to find a landslide like this.”
As Lee Myungsoo said, it was rare for a party to record such a crushing victory.
There had only been one exception.
After the April 19 Revolution toppled the Rhee Syngman administration and the system was reorganized into a bicameral legislature, the Democratic Party won an overwhelming victory in the first election.
But that had only been possible because of the special circumstances following the April 19 Revolution, the collapse of the two-party structure, and the absence of any party capable of checking the Democratic Party.
And even then, their victory did not last long.
It was a time when factions within the Democratic Party were locked in fierce confrontation, and during the appointment process for the prime minister, the party split in two, making the constitutional amendment line a distant dream.
Afterward, a coup overturned the government and soldiers seized power, but even then, no single party managed to break through the constitutional amendment threshold.
It would only be clear once the vote counting was fully completed, but there was no problem with completely dominating the National Assembly now.
With just 180 seats secured, most bills could be pushed through without difficulty.
“I also know that Secretary-General Lee put his own election on the back burner this time and went around supporting campaign rallies. I won’t forget that effort.”
“No, sir. I did it all for the party.”
Reporters pressed their shutters nonstop to capture the heartwarming image of the two men embracing.
Unlike the warm atmosphere on the surface, the two men wore artificial smiles, each concealing his true thoughts.
While the Centrist Party was intoxicated with victory and setting off celebratory fireworks, the Progressive Party was no different from a funeral house.
Even after reforming itself—such as adopting the title of party representative—the Progressive Party retained the old position of party chairman, a remnant of the past, concentrating power in a single individual.
Because that position came with power, the defeat in this general election was something the chairman alone would be held responsible for.
Taking all of that into account, the face of Chairman Kim Seokjin, who bore that role, was stiff and rigid.
His close aides, as well as the heads of rival factions who had been locked in fierce power struggles with him, all stared at the TV with frozen expressions.
The reporters, too, sensed the heavy mood and could not easily ask for interviews.
An estimated 90 to 110 seats was by no means a small number.
In a two-party system rather than a multiparty one, and with independent candidates running in protest against the Centrist Party’s nominations, many districts had three-way races.
Because of that, the Progressive Party had expected to secure at least 110 to 130 seats.
But the results were brutal. Even if they won every closely contested district, the maximum would be 110 seats.
And everyone present knew that there was no way they would win all of those districts.
“Ha...... This is driving me crazy.”
Chairman Kim Seokjin broke the silence.
He stood up and bowed toward the lawmakers and party members gathered there.
“This is all my fault. My misjudgment, and my fault for devising our election strategy carelessly.”
There was a card that could turn the situation around. But Kim Seokjin could not easily play it.
Because he had no confidence he could bear the wrath of the man named Kim Muhyuk.
Still, he was not foolish enough to be unaware that he had to take responsibility.
“The vote counting isn’t finished yet, but regardless of the final results, I hereby declare to all party members that I will step down from [N O V E L I G H T] the position of chairman.”
Kim Seokjin announced his resignation from the chairmanship.
“Let’s wait and see the vote counting broadcast first, Chairman. It’s too early to say that,” said Hong Jinwoo, the leader of the reformist faction.
“Even if you step down later, let’s talk about it at tomorrow’s general assembly. The results aren’t even out yet—are you already talking about defeat? That’s not like you, Chairman.”
The gazes of Hong Jinwoo and Kim Seokjin collided in midair.
“Now, now, everyone, please calm down. Let’s just keep watching the vote counting broadcast for now. No one knows how it’ll turn out, do they?”
The floor leader hurriedly stepped in between the two. Smiling, he tried to lighten the mood, and Kim Seokjin reluctantly sat back down.
All of this was captured on camera and broadcast nationwide.
The reporters present, and the citizens watching on TV, all understood one thing.
That signs of internal strife were already showing within the Progressive Party.
* * *
The vote counting broadcast continued. I sat in my study, watching it unfold.
By midnight, the outline of the results had taken shape.
At that moment, my phone rang. I checked the caller and answered. freewebnσvel.cøm
“Yes, Mr. President. You’re not asleep yet?”
—Hahaha! How could I sleep, President Kim? It’s a complete landslide, a landslide. Are you watching too?
Yoon Changho laughed loudly. It was rare for him to speak so honestly without hiding his emotions.
I could tell just how happy he was. I smiled faintly as I replied.
“Yes. I’m watching as well. At this rate, even if we miss the constitutional amendment line, it looks like we’ll secure around 195 seats.”
—Right? It’s a shame. We could’ve secured the amendment line, but those greedy snakes rebelled against the nominations and ran as independents, didn’t they?
“That’s right. They’ll pay an appropriate price. I’ll make sure of it.”
On the other end of the line, Yoon Changho drew in a breath and asked cautiously.
—President Kim, you’re pretty angry, aren’t you?
“This general election was an opportunity like no other. If we’d secured the constitutional amendment line, we could have done anything we wanted.”
—Couldn’t we just bring in the ones who won after leaving the party? In the end, they’ll want to rejoin anyway.
Of course they would want to rejoin. Politicians, more than anyone, knew the value of their own price.
But I had no intention of accepting them back.
“No. I’ll tell them never to accept their return. And Myungsoo probably harbors bad feelings toward them as well, so he’ll agree with me.”
—Hmm. Do you think that’ll be so easy? Han Jiho isn’t someone to take lightly. Everyone asking to rejoin is one of his people. He’ll want to bring them back in to show off his power......
I cut Yoon Changho off. freeωebnovēl.c૦m
“Well...... It won’t go the way he wants. Starting tomorrow, beginning with Koryeo Daily, corruption allegations against them will start coming out. Violations of election law, and even issues involving their families—everything will be released to the media one by one.”
—.......
“Once the media moves, the prosecution will follow. And once the prosecution moves, Han Jiho will have to watch himself. He isn’t exactly clean either, is he? To protect himself, he’ll abandon them. That’s how he’s lived his life. That’s how he made it this far.”
Right now, we couldn’t cut off Han Jiho.
His faction made up a third of the Centrist Party, and many of the Centrist Party’s supporters had once supported the Conservative Party.
The moment we cut off Han Jiho, a core figure from the Conservatives, the Centrist Party would plunge into internal chaos—and it was obvious that what Yoon Changho and I were trying to do would sink into a quagmire.
So instead, we had to strike at those around him and show them.
Just how wrong it was to defy me.
“Mr. President, all you have to say is one thing. Tell them to conduct the investigation fairly and impartially.”
—Hmm...... All right. Anyway, let’s enjoy the victory for now. Days when you feel this good don’t come often.
“Yes. Mr. President, congratulations.”
After talking with Yoon Changho a bit more, I hung up.
As I put my phone away, I let out a small chuckle.
“It seems President Yoon is in a very good mood. You can hear the excitement in his voice.”
At my words, Manager Ma replied.
“A landslide like this is unprecedented in history. The impact of the inter-Korean summit seems quite significant.”
Indeed, Jang Songthaek had given us a big gift. I nodded slightly.
Thanks to the inter-Korean summit, a fair number of people who had supported the Progressive Party ended up voting for the Centrist Party.
That was how we achieved such an overwhelming victory.
We won in every region except Honam. Well, it looked like we’d still secure about three seats there......
As I was organizing my thoughts, my phone rang again.
I had a good idea who it was, and with a faint smile, I answered.
“Secretary-General Lee Myungsoo. Congratulations on the victory. That uppercut was impressive—have you been working out?”
—When would I have time for that? Anyway, stop spouting bullshit. We secured 195 seats. We’re short by five, but...... we’re going ahead with what we talked about before, right?
Myungsoo shut down my nonsense decisively and got straight to the point.
I had already told him in advance that we would eliminate the independent lawmakers.
However, respecting Myungsoo’s intention not to engage in a mudslinging fight, we hadn’t leaked anything during the election period.
It was Myungsoo’s firm resolve not to create an image that could be seen as internal infighting.
So even when the independent candidates attacked the Centrist Party, the Centrist Party’s candidates responded with silence.
“Of course. Starting tomorrow, Koryeo Daily will blow them up one by one. That’ll get the prosecution moving...... Just think of them as nonexistent. Once the elected ones lose their seats, we’ll reach the amendment line all the same.”
Whether it was 200 seats out of 300 or 195 out of 290, the constitutional amendment line was the same in the end.
“Make sure you’ve already drawn up a list of candidates so we can win the by-elections.”
—We’ll re-nominate the people who lost this time. They’re the ones who should’ve won anyway.
“That’s up to you. How’s Han Jiho? Is he happy?”
—His mouth’s practically torn from smiling. For him, raising the value of his people outside the party is even better than securing the amendment line. It’s so obvious it’s irritating.
I laughed lightly at Myungsoo’s clearly annoyed tone.
“For now, humor him a bit. When do you think the party convention will be held?”
—It’ll be hard to hold it right away. Probably toward the end of the year. That’s when Han Jiho’s term as party representative ends.
“Have you decided on your candidate yet?”
—About three people have been talking quietly about running. But we’ll probably need to discuss who to put forward with the President.
“Yeah? Who are they?”
To think that people were already greedy for party leadership...... I let out a scoff at their speed, so unlike their usual sluggishness.
—Representative Song Daechul, Representative Seong Jihu, and Representative Seo Miju.
“Representative Song Daechul? He said he’s running for party leader? He didn’t seem ambitious.”
—Who knows. He’s already fighting for influence behind the scenes.
“Who do you think would be best? No—who do you think could beat someone from Han Jiho’s side?”
—I think Representative Song Daechul would be better. Representative Seong Jihu isn’t ready to be party leader yet, and Representative Seo Miju...... has too many weaknesses.
As if he’d been waiting, Myungsoo offered his opinion.
If Myungsoo thought Song Daechul was better, then that was probably the right one to back.
“Then prepare things properly. Let me know if you need my support. I’m leaving for the U.S. tomorrow and will be back around June. In time for the groundbreaking ceremony at the Kaesong Industrial Complex.”
—Hey! I’m busting my ass here and you’re heading overseas again? You really......
“Do you think I’m going on vacation? I’m doing all this for you. It’s because of the North Korea issue, so understand that and focus on what you need to do.”
—Really? Sounds like there’s something else going on again. Ah, Han Jiho is looking for me. Let’s talk again later.
Myungsoo hung up, and I smiled. Despite his words, he seemed quite excited, which amused me.
“Myungsoo seems pretty worked up as well.”
I put my phone down and stood up. The broadcast continued to play on the TV, but there was no need to pay it any more attention.
“I don’t think there’s any need to keep watching. I should get some sleep now. See you tomorrow.”
Manager Ma bowed his head, and I left the study and went up to the bedroom.
The next day.
The final vote count released that morning was as follows.
[Centrist Party: 195 seats.]
[Progressive Party: 87 seats.]
[Independents: 18 seats.]
It was an overwhelming victory for the Centrist Party, and a crushing defeat for the Progressive Party.
Among the independent winners, fifteen leaned toward the Centrist Party, while three were closer to the Progressive Party.
All together, 210 to 90. If the Centrist Party decided to push forward, the Progressive Party would be powerless to stop anything at that level of disparity.
