Chapter 12 (1/2)

In his study, the grandfather tossed the paper on the desk, with a smile at the corner of his mouth.

Its headline was what his grandson had expected.

[The Two Kims Turn Their Back On Each Other]

In the photo, the two were standing side by side on a stage and discussing the current state of affairs, with a dead serious look on their faces.

On 27 October at the Korea University.

The completely different reaction to their speech was more serious.

When Kim Young-sam got to the podium and exhorted democracy in a high-pitched voice, the audience erupted with “booooooo!”, then “Resign!” “Resign!”

Waves of booing and jeering crashed and a thick fog of shame engulfed him. Shaking his head, he descended from the stage.

Meanwhile, the audience shouted out “President!” when, clad in a traditional Korean overcoat, Kim Dae-jung stood in front of the podium. He, with a slight flush in his face, delivered his speech in a leisurely manner.

Which was followed by his supporters lifting him high on their shoulders as if congratulating him for winning the election.

Kim Dae-jung exclaimed, “Thank you, everyone! Today, I made a firm decision!”

Everyone knew what the firm decision was.

The grandfather wore a smile on his face. Not that his grandson’s prediction was correct. It was because, four months ago, when the inc.u.mbent government declared surrender, other major companies performed courts.h.i.+p displays for the two Kims in compet.i.tion with each other, as they were convinced that the two Kims would unite behind one candidate.

However, the grandfather sh.e.l.led out big bucks to the ruling party while slipped some money into the two Kims’ hands.

When the majority of people turned away from the ruling party, the grandfather verified the meaning of ‘a friend in need is a friend indeed’.

His smile had a knee-jerk reaction to the benefits he would reap for the next 5 years (presidential term in South Korea).

He leaned back in his comfortable chair, hands crossed behind his head and felt a fresh glow of pride.

Before long, the sound of knocking brought his attention to the door. His three sons and the only daughter, Jin Seo-yun swept into his study.

“Why are you here?” he asked Seo-yun.

“I’m also a CEO of Sunyang, how could I not be?” she bristled.

She was managing Sunyang’s department store which, with her discerning sense for all things luxury, devolved into a high-end department store. Sales were down but net profit increased. So did her pride.

“What’s all this fuss about? Sit down, all of you,” the grandfather said.

“Did you read the paper, father?”

“Yeah,”

“The two Kims will likely run against each other,” said his eldest son and vice-chairman Young-ki.

“They will split the opposition vote,” he added, plonking the paper.

“DJ (Kim Dae-jung) will reportedly defect from the main opposition party, the Reunification Democratic Party to run for the presidency,” said another son.

“The presidency made the rivalry between the two Kims rear its ugly head,” said the other.

The grandfather rapped his knuckles on the desk, then stormed.

“G.o.d d.a.m.n it, what’s the point?”

Everyone clamped their mouths shut.

“Who’s the likely candidate to take office?”

“YS (Kim Young-sam) will likely win a majority of votes in the populous Gyeongsangnam-do. It appears that he is the most likely candidate,” Young-ki said.

Although the election was scheduled for December, two months to go,

“I’m going to contribute ten billion to a candidate’s election campaign,” the grandfather said.

Everyone opened their eyes wide.

“Father, it’s too much. I think half would probably be enough,” one son said.

“What if it goes to the wrong candidate?” said another.

The grandfather outwitted them,

“Until next week, make a conclusion: to whom I should give ten billion,”

“Fa, father… that…” the other son stuttered.

“Shut up!” yelled the grandfather.

Everyone lowered their eyes.