The Magician’s Memorial - Chapter 303



Only Noblemtl

303. Struggling (2)

Rep. Kim has prepared a lot to become a hearing star.

He was attacking Taewoo Construction with the logic that it was imposing fees on the people.

“Then what should Taewoo Engineering & Construction do? Should they even set the usage fee free? If that happens, I will be accused of breach of trust.”

“Isn’t Taewoo Group in this position thanks to the help of the country and the people? So, why not take on at least some social responsibility?”

These were politicians who attacked us in so many different ways.

They were all talented people who graduated from good universities and passed the national exam.

But drinking Yeouido water tended to narrow my vision, and the attack wasn’t enough to put me in a corner.

“We pride ourselves on taking on more social responsibility than any other company. Not only do we operate a scholarship foundation, but the Taewo Group is also providing a lot of support to areas that the government has not yet taken care of.”

“Is it really that difficult to just lower the fare? I’m not saying that Taewo Group should pay the entire fare for free. To be fair, I’m asking you to just lower the fare to the same level as other subway lines and the same fare as other bridges.”

Who do you like?

The moment I declare that I will lower the rates here, all the credit goes to Rep. Kim.

There was absolutely no reason to create a picture where I used the talent and Congressman Kim took the money.

“This is an issue I cannot decide. This is only possible if everyone in the consortium agrees, and if the government puts pressure on it, it is very likely that it will turn into a diplomatic war with the United States.”

“Can’t we just say that we will receive a small amount of shares in Taewoo Group? Can’t we do even that much for the people?”

“In order to somehow start subway construction and build a bridge for the people, Taewoo Engineering & Construction created a consortium and attracted foreign capital. Why aren’t those efforts acknowledged?”

I also went on the offensive.

Then, Representative Choi, who had already finished speaking, turned off the microphone and shouted, ‘Resign!’

“If things come out like this, I have no choice but to bring up the issue of excessive construction. Even though the consortium is said to cover the construction costs, isn’t the reason why the usage fee has increased because of the excessive construction costs?”

“It is absolutely not excessive construction. I can say this at the stake of my position as Chairman of Taewoong Group.”

“Are you saying that Taewo Construction’s internal investigation is more reliable than the feasibility study conducted by the government? I will put my position as a member of the National Assembly on the line and argue that Taewo Construction engaged in excessive construction!”

Finally, the situation I wanted arrived.

From a place where I was the only one to suffer, it has now turned into a duel arena where winners and losers are divided.

“I will accept Rep. Kim’s proposal. If the congestion level is lower than the average of other lines within three months of the opening of Subway Line 9, I will step down from the position of chairman.”

“Is that what is coming out of the commander’s mouth right now? All the people are watching!”

“Let me make one more promise. If the congestion rate falls below 130%, we will lower the usage fee by 20%.”

“You really refuse to admit your mistakes until the end.”

Rep. Kim tried to take a small step back.

I tried to ignore the current situation as if I was trying to renege on my intention to become a member of the National Assembly.

However, fellow lawmakers who had no idea what he was thinking did not help.

[I’m also betting on my position as a member of the National Assembly! If the feasibility study shows that there is too much congestion, resign!]

[I also agree with Rep. Kim!]

The ruling party lawmakers rose up.

The opposition party looked disappointed as if their player had been taken away.

But do they know?

That his political career was extended because he was pushed back in the order of speaking rights.

* * *

After the hearing, I returned to work.

The planning director was waiting for me with a dark look on his face.

“Has there been any bad news? Why are you so worried about death?”

“You took it too far. All the media is full of articles about you.”

The planning director showed me some articles.

[The CEO of Taewo Group appeared in an open car instead of a wheelchair]

[Is the hearing a betting contest? [A battle for the position of chairman and member of the National Assembly]

[Taewoo Group, where Chairman Kim Min-jae’s risk has exploded!]

“I don’t think everyone becomes a reporter. The title of the article was chosen very well. I especially like the title of the article about an open car instead of a wheelchair.”

“I don’t think it’s something you’ll like. Korea still values ​​courtesy. There is a culture that demands excessive courtesy, especially from people in positions of responsibility, such as the chairman of a large company.”

I knew it well too.

That’s why, until now, I’ve been consistent in being cautious and being as polite as possible.

“I couldn’t help it because it was a position where being polite would make you a criminal. Wouldn’t it be better to have a rude chairman than a chairman who committed a crime?”

“And what happened at the hearing is also becoming a hot topic. Why did you bet on the congestion level of Subway Line 9? Even in the case of Subway Line 1, the average congestion level is only 120%.”

The planning director was concerned that the congestion rate might be low.

I was so worried because I didn’t know that Subway Line 9 was called Hell Train.

“Don’t worry, I have my own thoughts. We will put a two-car subway on Line 9 according to the government’s initial design.”

“Even if we deploy a two-car subway, we cannot guarantee that congestion will exceed 120%. If that doesn’t work, how about we increase congestion by deploying our own people?”

“Don’t do anything that will cause you to find fault. Subway Line 9 will get crowded on its own even if you don’t.”

Before returning, a six-car subway ran on Line 9.

Nevertheless, Line 9 was more crowded than other lines.

However, if a two-car subway was put in, it would undoubtedly become hell.

* * *

Subway Line 9 was opened.

Since the hearing became such a hot topic, many people gathered to watch the opening ceremony.

The media also covered it in its entirety.

An expert even claimed that it was crowded because it was the first day of opening.

However, the next day and the day after that, the number of people did not decrease at all, but rather increased.

Fifteen days have passed like that.

The head of the planning office came to me with information on subway line 9 that he had found with great difficulty.

“So far, the average congestion rate on Subway Line 9 has exceeded 170%. Especially during rush hours, the congestion rate is close to 200%.”

“It’s as expected. How are the citizens reacting?”

“As a result of examining big data from portal sites and social media, there are many responses that the demand forecast for Subway Line 9 was wrong. Some are responding that it is not excessive construction, but rather that construction should be done on a larger scale than now.”

The current subway line 9 was operated with only two cars as designed by the government.

However, Taewoo Engineering & Construction built a subway line that could accommodate up to 8 cars, and was already able to deploy an 8-car subway.

“There must have been a lot of talk about excessive construction.”

“The ruling party and the opposition party are slandering each other. The ruling party’s position is that they are not responsible because they made demand forecasts during the last administration, while the opposition party’s argument is that the Blue House should be responsible because it was opened during the current administration.”

In the political world, there is a debate about blaming others.

What is important is that the Taewo Group was excluded from the blaming others.

“What about the members of the National Assembly who risked their seats?”

“They say he is quietly carrying out legislative activities like a dead rat. He does not appear on TV at all and is even refusing to be interviewed in newspapers. He is just focusing on building up public sentiment by traveling around his district.”

“It looks like you have no intention of keeping your promise.”

“If we play the media a little bit, all the arrows will be pointed at them. If you want, we can contact the media.”

To a member of the National Assembly, the position was more important than life.

It was especially important for lawmakers who did not have enough recognition to be elected in their constituencies on their own.

So, I hold the power over their life and death.

The moment I step forward, their political careers will end, and even if I do not step forward, there is a high possibility that they will not even be nominated for the next election if the media moves even a little.

“Is there a need for us to step forward? We will bite and tear each other on our own. The opposition party will be biting and biting about what happened at the hearing.”

“It’s just a matter of timing. If we step forward, we can make the fire bigger right now. Of course, I don’t recommend it. There’s nothing good about getting into trouble with the political world for no reason.”

I was also in a position to give them indulgence.

Even if you just say one word in defense of them, they will be able to avoid a barrage of arrows.

But I didn’t necessarily want to give them forgiveness first.

“People who beg for their lives should be saved. People who remain ignorant should be left alone because they are confident that they will take responsibility for themselves.”

“I’m already getting a call from the ruling party. They said they would set up a position, but the person in question declined because they felt they were missing a position.”

“Good job. From now on, shouldn’t you be scolding me so hard that you can never call me to the hearing?”

I needed to make the political world aware that I was different from the existing chaebols.

Of course, if I used the National Economy Party, I could have avoided being dragged to the hearing.

I didn’t want to do that because it might raise suspicion about the relationship between Taewo Group and the National Economy Party.

“What kind of contact are you waiting for? How about meeting with the ruling party leader?”

“If the Blue House comes forward in person, I am willing to meet with them. Of course, there will be a precondition that the person concerned apologizes.”

“I will translate the Chairman’s wishes and convey them to the political circles.”

“Don’t do that. The ruling party has to find a way to apologize on its own. If they don’t show that level of sincerity, they don’t deserve to be excused.”

The wait didn’t take long.

Because the congestion on subway line 9 was increasing every day.

The dissatisfaction of Seoul citizens also increased day by day, and of course it was covered as an important issue in the media.

“I received a call from the Blue House. I received a call directly from the President’s chief of staff, Woo Woo-jun. He said he would arrange a meeting with the ruling party representative and the lawmakers attending the hearing.”

“It would be rude to refuse since the second-in-command in the Blue House has come forward. Please set a schedule.”

“We’ll set up a schedule at a Korean restaurant that the Chairman often goes to. Since we need to prepare for the unexpected, I think it would be best for us to decide on the location.”

“Do by that way.”

The planning director never trusted the political world.

To prevent problems such as photo leakage from the provincial office, Captain Kang’s restaurant was chosen as the meeting place.

“Anyway, it looks like the situation is getting quite serious, to the point where even the President’s chief of staff is moving.”

“It is said that the president’s approval rating is falling due to the issue of Subway Line 9. And since the mayor of Seoul is also a member of the ruling party, even the mayor of Seoul is suffering damage.”

“If it’s that much of a blow, you must have prepared a pretty nice gift.”

Indulgences were always sold at high prices.

In particular, people with money and power tended to pay a higher price.