Free Web NovelContrary to expectations, the Progressive Party's presidential primary had descended even further into a mudslinging war.
KBC Broadcasting Station.
Five Progressive Party presidential candidates sat behind semicircular desks arranged on the stage.
Cold lights illuminated their faces, while the red lights on the cameras blinked, signaling that the debate was being broadcast live.
The debate continued amid a tense atmosphere.
The beads of sweat forming on the candidates' foreheads showed just how heated the discussion had become.
The moderator cleared his throat and said,
“Now, we'll proceed to the final round. The topic is freedom. The question time is one minute, and each candidate will also have one minute to answer. Candidate Choi Seohyeon, please begin.”
The camera turned toward Choi Seohyeon.
There was something resolute in the eyes of the man in his mid-fifties.
“I have something I'd like to ask my fellow candidates.”
The other candidates swallowed nervously.
After taking a moment to catch his breath, Choi Seohyeon spoke.
“Have any of you received illegal political funds from Kim Muhyuk, the head of Dreamhigh Korea?”
Instantly, the studio froze.
Not even the sound of the audience breathing could be heard.
Lee Donghun, seated right beside him, frowned.
“Candidate Choi, this again? On what basis are you making such claims? Director Kim Muhyuk donated 500 billion won of his own money to establish a scholarship foundation. And yet you're slandering someone like him? These kinds of attacks only damage our party's image.”
Choi Seohyeon smiled unpleasantly.
“It seems Candidate Lee cares more about Director Kim Muhyuk's well-being than his own.”
“What did you say? Candidate Choi!”
Lee Donghun raised his voice.
Ignoring him, Choi Seohyeon continued.
“This isn't slander, Candidate Lee.”
He pulled out a stack of documents.
“I have evidence right here.”
The camera zoomed in on the papers.
There were bank transaction records and photographs.
“Evidence has been found showing that hundreds of millions of won flowed into each candidate's camp through several paper companies operated by Kim Muhyuk. To be specific, Candidate Lee Donghun's camp received 300 million won. Candidate Park Minseong's camp received 250 million won. And Candidate Jeong Taeyoung's camp received around 400 million won. Each amount entered through different channels.”
The faces of the other candidates turned pale.
Candidate Park Minseong leaped to his feet and pointed his finger.
“T-That's ridiculous! Candidate Choi, what the hell are you doing right now?!”
Without wavering, Choi Seohyeon continued.
“This is what I claim. Kim Muhyuk is known by the title of Dreamhigh Korea director, but in reality, he is the true owner of Dreamhigh on Wall Street. He is the grandson of Cheon Taesan, the former Loan Shark King of Korea, and he delivered illegal political funds to the election camps of other presidential candidates.”
The studio descended into chaos.
The candidates began shouting over each other, and murmurs spread through the audience.
The moderator attempted to regain control.
“Please, hold on. Candidates, we're live. Candidate Choi, you should've informed us beforehand if you intended to discuss something like this...”
But it was as if no one heard him.
As the cameras captured the chaotic studio, Choi Seohyeon's voice rang out clearly.
“Aide!”
His aide handed him another stack of papers.
“Everyone, what I am about to show you is an article from the influential French daily newspaper Le Monde.”
Choi Seohyeon held up an A3-sized printout.
But the cameras didn't zoom in on the document.
He paid no attention and continued speaking.
“This feature article, titled ‘Kim Muhyuk, Korea's Hidden King,’ appeared on the front page of today's edition. I'll read the key parts.”
Adjusting his glasses, Choi Seohyeon began reading.
“On the surface, Kim Muhyuk is merely the Korean branch director of the multinational investment company Dreamhigh. However, his true identity is that of a giant shadow controlling Korea's political and business circles. Reigning as king of the underground economy, he crosses the boundaries between legality and illegality while keeping politicians under his influence.”
The other candidates simply stared at him with their mouths hanging open.
“In addition, this article claims that his influence extends beyond Korea to Russia, China, Japan, and even North Korea. But that's not important right now, so let's move on.”
Lifting his head, Choi Seohyeon looked straight into the camera.
“Many Korean politicians, regardless of whether they belong to the ruling or opposition parties, have received illegal political funds from Kim Muhyuk. That is what matters. The article argues that this goes far beyond ordinary donations and constitutes a grave issue that shakes the very foundations of Korean politics.”
The moderator glanced toward the producer.
The look clearly said, Shouldn't we cut this?
“Citizens, this is the reality of our country. Foreign media are exposing the shameful side of Korean politics in vivid detail. Yet not a single Korean media outlet has reported on Kim Muhyuk. Even though I've raised this issue many times! They all turned away.”
While the producer hurriedly made phone calls, Choi Seohyeon continued.
“Kim Muhyuk is not merely an investor. He is the dark shadow of our nation.”
Turning back toward the other candidates, he said,
“My fellow candidates, now tell the truth. Have you ever received political funds from Kim Muhyuk? If so, apologize before the people and reveal everything. That will be the last act of repentance available to you.”
The studio was thrown into shock.
The audience grew even noisier, and some people rose from their seats and began shouting.
Eventually, the producer cut the live broadcast and switched to commercials, creating an unprecedented situation.
* * *
“They've really gone completely off the rails.”
After returning to New York following Cosimo's funeral, the first thing I heard was news of Choi Seohyeon's exposé in Korea.
During a live nationwide debate, he had brought up my name and even held up an article from a French newspaper.
“So that was what they prepared.”
Even now, foreign media still carried weight in Korea.
I knew that better than anyone because I'd used that tactic many times myself.
If something appeared on the front page of Le Monde, which ranked among the most prestigious newspapers in France, it wasn't a trivial matter.
“Chief Ma. What's the atmosphere in Korea like?”
“They say the media can no longer pretend not to know. Since the accusations came out on live television, if they ignore them, the media themselves may come under suspicion.”
“Tell Koryeo Daily to start shifting public opinion. Mix lies into the truth.”
It was impossible to hide myself completely anymore.
I should be grateful that the world only knew me as the head of Dreamhigh Korea.
If someone completely unknown had suddenly been exposed like this, people would have taken it even more seriously.
“Besides Choi Seohyeon, who can push him out?”
“Jeong Taehyung has the second-highest approval rating after Choi Seohyeon. He has the support of party members, but the public is supporting Choi Seohyeon.”
“The Progressive Party uses fifty percent polling, right?”
“Yes. Thirty percent delegates, twenty percent regular members, and fifty percent opinion polls.”
“Starting today, use all our power to make that man the Progressive Party's presidential candidate. Money, people, and the media. Use everything we can mobilize.”
“Understood. Then what about the Centrist Party?”
“Leave them alone for now. There's no benefit in stirring things up unnecessarily.”
After Chief Ma left to contact Korea, I picked up my phone and called Murdoch.
-Charlie, I've read the article in Le Monde. How do you plan to respond?
“First, I'll do an interview with The Wall Street Journal.”
-Are you serious?
“You fight fire with a bigger fire. I'm planning interviews with The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. But first, I'll start by introducing myself as an investor.”
-Understood. I'll send my best reporter.
“Please send one immediately. I'm sure the editors at The Wall Street Journal will like it too.”
-Of course. Charlie, the hidden owner of Dreamhigh, has always been a subject of interest. There are countless reporters who'd love to meet you. Wait there.
A few hours later, I welcomed a Wall Street Journal reporter into the penthouse reception room.
She appeared to be in her mid-thirties and had sharp eyes.
I knew who she was.
“Hello. I'm Kim Benson. Thank you for agreeing to this interview, Charlie.”
Smiling, I shook her hand.
“No, thank you. It was arranged so suddenly, and yet you still came. Please, have a seat.”
We sat facing each other, and she turned on her recorder.
“First, what are your thoughts regarding the recent controversy surrounding Dreamhigh?”
I pretended to think for a moment before answering.
“I'll reveal everything on this occasion. First of all, I am a major investor in Dreamhigh. That's an open secret on Wall Street. However, the expression ‘hidden owner’ isn't appropriate. I've never hidden myself.”
“Then what exactly is your role in Dreamhigh?”
“As a major shareholder, I offer opinions regarding the company's strategic direction. But I don't participate in day-to-day investments. I merely provide advice on important investments. James directs Dreamhigh's investment activities.”
“People on Wall Street say Dreamhigh's success stems from Charlie's analysis.”
“It's true that I provide important advice on major investments.”
Narrowing her eyes, Kim asked,
“Why did you appoint yourself head of the Korean branch?”
“Dreamhigh Korea is one of our most important branches. It's also the country where I was born and the country where I must live. Because of that importance, I personally took the position. It was a strategic decision by the company.”
Now the real questions began.
“Then how do you explain the suspicions regarding your ties with Korean politicians?”
I shook my head.
“That's a misunderstanding. The fact that I'm a major investor in Dreamhigh and the exercise of political influence are two separate matters. I focus only on business.”
“In Korea, fairly detailed circumstances and evidence have emerged.”
“But nowhere in that evidence does the name ‘Kim Muhyuk’ appear, does it?”
Kim Benson fell silent for a moment before asking carefully,
“Charlie, there are stories that you're the grandson of Cheon Taesan, the Loan Shark King known as the godfather of Korea's underground economy. What are your thoughts on that?”
Letting out a low sigh, I answered,
“That's right. Cheon Taesan is my grandfather. I've never hidden that fact even once. I respect him.”
“Then how did your grandfather's business influence where you stand today?”
“My grandfather's past taught me many things...”
I spoke about my grandfather's life.
I tried to erase as much of the negative image as possible by emphasizing that Cheon Taesan wasn't merely the king of the underground economy, but someone who had supported Korea's economy from behind the scenes.
“But some people are questioning the origin of your wealth.”
I frowned.
Kim Benson's questions dug deeper than I'd expected.
After thinking for a moment, I answered,
“I do not deny my roots. But I chose a different path from my grandfather, and I will continue to do so.”
The questions continued afterward.
More than an hour later, the interview finally ended, and she nodded before switching off the recorder.
“It'll be on the front page tomorrow. I'll write exactly what I saw.”
“Yes. Please do.”
After she left, I looked out the window and let out a deep breath.
I knew this interview would only amplify interest in me even further.
But when faced with suspicions, the best answer was to bury them beneath an even greater truth.
