Chapter 120: The President’s Smile

The room froze, chilled by the sudden, unexpected outburst.

The Blue House Chief of Security bellowed at the gathered reporters.

"Turn off the cameras! Turn off the recorders! Any bastard who tries something stupid will be dragged to the KCIA!"

"They’re off! Everything’s off!"

"You know what’ll happen if you write anything carelessly. You’d better remember what I say."

"O-of course! We didn’t write anything! We didn’t take any pictures!"

"Stay back until you’re called! Aren’t you leaving right now?"

"We’re going! We’ll leave immediately!"

The journalists, who had hoped to cover a warm, cheerful scene, scurried out, visibly frightened.

Bang!

The moment the doors to the banquet hall slammed shut, Kim Dae-shik of U-Kwang, still prostrate, cried out in a loud voice.

"Your Excellency, please spare U-Kwang!"

The President looked down at him, eyes icy cold.

In the heavy silence weighing down the room, only Kim Dae-shik pleaded desperately.

"U-Kwang is a conglomerate, ranked ninth in the business world. If U-Kwang collapses like this, the entire Korean economy will stagger."

"Are you threatening me right now?"

"I will become your dog, Your Excellency!"

It was a complete surrender.

"If you tell me to bark, I’ll bark. If you tell me to bite, I’ll bite! Please, just let me live!"

Kim Dae-shik raised his head, locking eyes with the President.

"Shall I bark?"

"Huh…?"

"Woof woof! Bark bark bark!"

Between the heavy silence, shocked gasps occasionally slipped out.

The heads of the conglomerate groups looked down at Kim Dae-shik of U-Kwang with expressions impossible to describe.

The military brass gazed at him with contempt, while high-ranking government officials let out quiet, mocking laughs.

"If it’s what Your Excellency wishes, I’ll do anything! Just give the command!"

Kim Dae-shik was undeterred.

"Do you wish to promote a proud Korea, a magnificent leader, a developing advanced nation? Entrust it to U-Kwang! We’ll wrap up public opinion more splendidly than anyone!"

Shaping public opinion was U-Kwang’s specialty.

"Do you need export results? U-Kwang will roll up its sleeves and follow through! If Your Excellency wishes, we’ll abandon the domestic market and focus all our efforts solely on exports!"

The President valued visible results and public image above all.

It was because he lacked legitimacy, having come from a military coup.

Both at home and abroad, the dictatorship was often the target of derision.

"Do you want to achieve self-reliant national defense? Need greater firepower? Then U-Kwang will transform into a defense industry specialist!"

Kim Dae-shik of U-Kwang met the cold and scornful gazes directed at him.

And yet, he smiled.

"Please use U-Kwang as a source for presidential funds and political money. No one can launder money as cleanly and without incident as we can!"

The military brass and high-ranking officials gave awkward coughs.

They’d been taken to task just yesterday for bribes received from U-Kwang Construction.

They hadn’t expected him to be shameless enough to brazenly pitch himself over it, so all they could do was squirm, glancing at Kim Dae-shik.

The President, who’d been looking down at Kim Dae-shik with a frigid gaze, curled one corner of his mouth up.

"That’s amusing."

With a light gesture of his chin, the Blue House Chief of Security stepped forward and yelled again.

"What’s with all of you in front of His Excellency? Is this a street market? Are you here to watch a show? Everyone, to your seats!"

The President strode over and took the seat of honor at the round table.

The Blue House Chief of Security deliberately sat to the President’s right, and the Chief Secretary to his left.

Next to them sat the KCIA Director, and beside him the Commander of Army Security Command.

"Let’s eat."

The invited heads of the conglomerates reluctantly took their seats.

Each seat was assigned by name tag.

Yet no matter how they looked around, there were no seats for the military brass or the senior government officials.

They stood in a circle around the round table.

"Ahem, Your Excellency. It seems there aren’t enough seats…"

"Impossible."

The President didn’t even look at the ones standing.

"If you’ve sinned, you don’t deserve to sit."

The heads of the conglomerates rubbed the backs of their necks.

Heavy gazes from every direction bore down on them.

To have to eat a meal under such circumstances…

"Remove U-Kwang’s name tag."

Kim Dae-shik of U-Kwang was also prevented from taking his seat.

"Since when does a dog try to dine at the same table as people?"

"…Your words are right, sir."

Kim Dae-shik looked bitterly at the food laid out for him.

"Since when have dogs ever used chopsticks? I’ll eat just like this, thank you."

Kim Dae-shik buried his face in his bowl and devoured the food.

Rice and soup splattered everywhere.

In no time, his mouth and even his clothes were stained.

The other conglomerate heads, watching a man eat off the floor like a dog, couldn’t hide their shock.

The Blue House Chief of Security made no attempt to hide a sneering smile.

Crash! Clatter.

The Blue House Chief of Security kicked Kim Dae-shik’s tray.

The brass bowl was unharmed, but the rice and side dishes spilled all over the floor.

"What? Can’t eat? Since when do dogs get picky with food?"

"…You’re right, sir."

Kim Dae-shik smiled as he got on all fours and began licking the food from the floor.

The President watched him with indifferent eyes.

"That dog’s been talking a lot since a while ago."

"Woof woof!"

Kim Dae-shik stopped eating, knelt down, and sat on the floor.

The President frowned at the conglomerate heads, who looked aghast.

"Are you not eating?"

"W-we’re eating."

"We’ll eat well, thank you."

A luncheon at the Blue House.

Supposedly a chance to share a light meal and chat together.

But the conglomerate heads couldn’t even tell whether the rice was going down their throats or up their noses.

Behind them, military brass and senior officials stood stiffly at attention; on the floor, Kim Dae-shik of U-Kwang was eating like a dog.

To top it off, the President flung his napkin with a cold expression.

"What a dog’s den this is."

No one dared agree out loud in front of the President.

But everyone was thinking the same thing.

---

Until the luncheon ended, Kim Dae-shik of U-Kwang was not permitted to rise from the floor, nor to speak.

All of it had been at his own insistence.

"…For these reasons, I fear there may soon be a second oil shock, and I wished to report as much. That is all."

The last to be allowed to speak was Cha Sung-jun of Taesung Construction, seated at the lowest end of the table.

A warning about the possibility of another oil shock.

That was why a mere young construction company president had been invited to the Blue House luncheon.

"What’s the likelihood?"

"Not very high. I brought the opinions of relevant experts for your reference."

"Why bring it up at all?"

"I’ve been to the Middle East myself and seen, heard, and experienced things firsthand. The atmosphere was palpably uneasy."

"So, you’re saying it’s your intuition?"

"Yes."

Cha Sung-jun of Taesung Construction nodded readily.

"Whether you believe it or not is up to Your Excellency. I just reported what I felt."

The President glanced at the other conglomerate heads.

"All of you look like you don’t believe a word."

The heads of the conglomerates wore disapproving expressions.

"Ahem, Your Excellency. We also travel abroad several times a year, so we hear and see things."

"Even Europe and America aren’t worrying about another oil shock."

"He’s a young fellow, so it’s understandable he’d be like this. There’s that saying: ‘A frog at the bottom of a well.’"

Jeongjejiwa (井底之蛙)—it means ‘a frog in a well.’

It refers to a narrow viewpoint, thinking what one sees and hears is all there is.

"Well, if another oil shock really does hit, the national economy will definitely take a heavy blow."

"But rather than shrink away in fear of unlikely worries, shouldn’t we be pushing our businesses more aggressively?"

"That’s right. We’ve only just begun to recover from the blow of the last oil shock."

"If we hesitate here, it’ll be hard for Korea to grow into an advanced nation."

Until the mid-1960s, Korea was among the poorest countries.

Thanks to government-led industrialization and modernization, it had only barely entered the ranks of developing nations.

"Just take note. Don’t come crying later."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

They still sounded unconvinced.

The President stroked his chin.

"In the same era, in the same situation, only Taesung sees things differently."

"Ahem!"

"We’ll see soon enough whose words turn out to be right."

Before the conglomerate heads could speak, the President glanced at the man kneeling on the banquet hall floor.

"What should we do with U-Kwang?"

"Please, spare us!"

"U-Kwang covered my eyes, blocked my ears, and embarrassed me."

"I’ve committed a grave sin! Since I’ve sinned, I’ll accept any penalty!"

Kim Dae-shik of U-Kwang was desperate.

He’d long since thrown away his pride and dignity.

"For Your Excellency and the country, I want to be of service! I’ll be loyal and patriotic to the end!"

"Exports, defense industry, funds, manipulating public opinion."

That was what U-Kwang had pitched.

Let me live, and I’ll be a useful dog.

He’d choose survival over pride.

This was U-Kwang’s intent for the next generation.

"Not bad."

As the President showed interest, not only the four key figures beside him, but all the brass standing around the table tensed up.

"If you took bribes, you should earn your keep. Any of you have anything to say?"

It was a cutting remark.

Those who’d been troubled by the U-Kwang Construction bribery ledger flinched.

"Shouldn’t you all be kneeling and begging as well? Isn’t that what you took the money for?"

"We’re sorry, Your Excellency!"

"I thought you’d at least cling to my pants begging for U-Kwang to be spared?"

"Your Excellency, I’ve committed a mortal sin!"

"It will never happen again!"

"Please forgive us, Your Excellency!"

The President glanced sideways at Chairman Cha of Taesung Group.

"I heard Taesung gave up chemicals and handed them over to U-Kwang."

"Yes, the marriage alliance was called off, so we agreed to dissolve the partnership."

"So that means Taesung is pulling out of the defense industry completely?"

"No, sir. We only grew this far thanks to the nation. Of course, we intend to repay Your Excellency and our country with patriotism."

"Hmm?"

The unexpected answer gave the President pause.

"A man as stiff as a steel beam, saying something like that now."

"Taesung may be rigid, but we’ve never ignored Your Excellency’s will. Why do you think we’ve poured our lives into technology development all this time?"

The President openly looked at Chairman Cha with interest.

"Since Your Excellency is working to strengthen our military, Taesung must lend a hand as well. We’ll follow your lead."

A hint of satisfaction flickered in his eyes.

As it happened, he’d recently received a report that Taesung had been the first to deliver a hefty sum for the presidential campaign fund.

The Blue House Chief of Security had laughed heartily, praising Taesung for being uncharacteristically proactive.

"From this year, we’ll begin producing parts for tanks, armored vehicles, and military vehicles."

Chairman Cha spoke with conviction.

"We’ll acquire U-Kwang Shipbuilding. That way, Taesung can handle warships, missiles, torpedoes, and communications equipment as well."

Oh, chairman of Hyunmu Group, quickly chimed in.

"U-Kwang Chemicals—we of Hyunmu will take it. Guns, artillery, bombs, and missiles are what Hyunmu does best."

"We at Samhwang would like to acquire U-Kwang Refining. We’ll produce aviation fuel for fighters, bombers, and more."

With Samhwang Group joining in, Geumjo, Cheonma, Ilseong, Loksan, and Sangguk all jumped into the fray.

It was a mad scramble, a mudfight to tear apart U-Kwang.

The President frowned at the squabble among the corporate heads.

"Your Excellency, since Taesung has expressed their active intent to join the defense industry, please support them."

The Blue House Chief of Security spoke up without hesitation.

"Taesung means technology. If Taesung actively produces defense supplies, it’ll be a big boost for national strength. It’s an excellent decision."

Even the Blue House Chief Secretary joined in.

"I hear Taesung has a technology partnership with Japan’s Toyoto, so they’re quite advanced in heavy machinery and automobiles."

"If they upgrade their shipbuilding technology as well, they’ll be able to improve warships and navy exploration vessels far beyond what we have now."

The Army Security Commander, who’d been silent until now, finally spoke.

"Military arms supplied with Taesung’s technology… That sounds promising."

The KCIA Director nodded as well.

"Certainly, not a bad idea."

He simply added those two subtle sentences.

With none of his closest aides objecting, the President looked back at Chairman Cha.

"Who would’ve thought so many people would place their hopes on Taesung."

The President’s mouth curled even higher than before.

He had only ever smiled—if it could be called a smile—twice in the banquet hall.

Both times, it was related to Taesung.

"Silence."

The President raised his hand.

All those who had been clamoring to take over U-Kwang immediately fell silent.

"Except for Chairman Cha. The rest of you, leave."

He meant to have a private talk with Chairman Cha.

Kim Dae-shik of U-Kwang began to rise, dusting off his pants, but the President gestured as if commanding a dog.

"Sit."