The Magician’s Memorial - Chapter 411



Only Noblemtl

411. The dawn of upheaval (1)

A few days later.

I met Rep. Choi Jae-seok.

Although the British political issue of Brexit was also important.

With the general election in Korea only a few months away, it was time to pay a lot of attention to Korean politics.

“Are your preparations going well for the general election?”

“This is the first time since I entered the political world that I have seen such a mixed-up structure. The progressive opposition party has split into two, and the public sentiment in Honam is turning to the new party. That does not mean that the ruling party has the upper hand.”

“As the government’s approval rating is falling, it is inevitable that the ruling party’s approval rating will also fall.”

It was a situation where the two major parties were falling together.

The opposition party was split in half and gave up the Honam region, which was its ticket field, to the new party.

The ruling party’s support was shrinking due to the fall in government approval ratings.

On the other hand, the National Economy Party was not in a bad situation.

The results of the last general election were the ruling party 119 seats, the National Economy Party 92 seats, and the opposition party 75 seats.

It was the National Economy Party, which had established itself as the second largest political party, and there was even talk that it could secure more than 100 seats for the first time in this election.

“In the case of the two existing major parties, centrist supporters, excluding the concrete supporters, are falling out. Such supporters must be absorbed into the National Economy Party, but it is not easy. In particular, the new party in the Honam region is absorbing the opposition party’s supporters.”

“It may be very difficult, but the National Economy Party must rise to the top political party in this election. Only then will it become the foundation for victory in the next presidential election.”

“Isn’t it too hasty to talk about the presidential election?”

I’m impatient.

If history goes by, impeachment will occur as soon as next year.

It also meant that a presidential election would be held next year.

So, we had to completely capture the public sentiment starting this year, but we could still win the presidential election.

“Please think of this general election as a prelude to the presidential election and do your best.”

“We are running hard with that mindset, but there is no new way to steal the constituency from the other party. It is difficult to protect the constituency we currently have.”

Although the National Economy Party is a national political party.

The main areas of support were the metropolitan area, including Gyeonggi-do, and the Gyeongnam area, centered on Busan.

Therefore, in order to win this general election, it was only possible to secure as many constituencies in the Honam region as possible.

“If we take just 10 of the 28 constituencies in the Honam region, the National Economy Party can secure over 100 seats. If we can use that momentum to capture the votes of Chungcheong Province and Seoul, a majority of seats is also possible.”

“I think this is the right time to target the Honam region. The opposition party has split into two and the concrete support base in the Jeolla region has collapsed. However, there is no room for the National Economy Party to invade the Honam region.”

The National Economy Party’s approval rating in Honam was never low.

It was the National Economy Party, supported by over 20% of Honam residents.

However, in order to be elected to the National Assembly, 20% was not enough, and the minimum approval rating had to be raised to 30% to be elected.

This was possible because public sentiment in the Honam region was divided.

In a solid two-party system, an approval rating of over 50% was required to be elected.

However, this time, since the party was split, it was possible to win with an approval rating of 30-40%.

“I think it would be impossible to get elected based on the National Economy Party’s current approval rating in Honam alone.”

“It will be a great help in securing proportional seats, but it is impossible to win with an approval rating of 20%. No matter how good the individual candidate is, he or she can only get about 10% more votes.”

The most important thing in the general election was the political party.

Even for presidential candidates, it was difficult to get elected if the party approval ratings differed by more than 10%.

Of course, there were cases where politicians who managed their constituencies well were elected as independents, but it was actually difficult to get elected if the opposing party put up a proper candidate.

“This general election must proceed on two tracks. First, Rep. Choi Jae-seok, please capture the public sentiment in the metropolitan area to secure seats in Seoul.”

“The National Economy Party’s approval rating in Seoul continues to rise. It is over 30% in both Gangnam and Gangbuk. Since it is a three-way battle between the two major parties and the National Economy Party, it is possible to win the election even with an approval rating in the low 30% range.”

The reason for the popularity of the National Economy Party was its positive strategy.

They were two major political parties that used negative strategies to disparage and criticize the opposing party.

Although this may have been helpful in rallying supporters, it was an act that caused the public to hate politics.

However, the National Economy Party did not use a negative strategy.

Even if politicians from the two major parties committed bribery or criminal acts, they did not voice their opinions.

There were quite a few supporters who complained about that, but thanks to the image of thinking only about the economy, approval ratings were rising regardless of age.

“Gyeonggi-do has very strong support, so there is no need to worry, and Seoul can also secure more votes if the current momentum continues. So, with Representative Choi Jae-seok at the center, we can fully target the metropolitan area.”

“Is the other track targeting the Honam region?”

“That’s right. Special measures are needed to target the Honam region.”

“Do you have any special measures in mind for economic development in the Honam region?”

The Honam region had many economic problems.

If the National Economy Party were to solve the biggest problem among them, an approval rating increase of more than 10% could be expected.

“First of all, I plan to save the Gunsan Shipyard.”

“The Gunsan Shipyard problem is not one that can be easily solved. The deficit is so huge that even the current group has to withdraw.”

The owner of Gunsan Shipyard was Hyunjae Heavy Industries.

The Hyunjae Group was split after the Prince’s Rebellion, and Hyunjae Heavy Industries was owned by the fifth son, Rep. Jang Myeong-jun.

Although it is said that he has stepped away from management.

Since Representative Jang Myung-jun owned the largest share, it was safe to say that the management was employed by him.

“Congressman, please meet Rep. Jang Myeong-jun and let him know that there is a way to save the Gunsan Shipyard.”

“Rep. Jang Myeong-jun is a member of the ruling party. But would he try to negotiate with me?”

“I heard that there are no major regrets left in the current ruling party. So, if only the Gunsan Shipyard can be saved, I will give all the credit to the National Economy Party.”

It was Rep. Jang Myeong-jun, who enjoyed a brilliant heyday with the 2002 World Cup.

However, his heyday passed too quickly, and now he is only focused on being the president of the Football Association, with no major regrets remaining in the political world.

“Then, I will meet Congressman Jang and persuade him. Can we arrange a meeting for the Chairman and Congressman Jang?”

“Please do just that. Then, I will explain to Rep. Jang how to save the Gunsan Shipyard.”

“However, it is difficult to completely target the Honam region with the Gunsan Shipyard alone.”

A bigger problem than the Gunsan shipyard remained in the Honam region.

An astronomical amount of taxes had already been spent, but the Saemangeum problem was not activated.

“I plan to resolve the Saemangeum project.”

“Is it possible? Tens of trillions of dollars in taxes have already been spent, but this is an unresolved problem.”

“The Saemangeum reclamation project has been completed to some extent. However, I heard that it is not being developed properly because there are no companies willing to enter the Saemangeum site.”

“Are some of Taewoo Group’s affiliates planning to move into Saemangeum?”

“We plan to build a factory and research center so that the Saemangeum site will no longer remain vacant.”

Like all cities.

Saemangeum was also in desperate need of attracting businesses.

But what would happen if Taewoo Group, Korea’s No. 1 group, decided to build a factory in Saemangeum?

If the National Economy Party took the lead in attracting the Taewo Group to Saemangeum, it was natural that the approval rating in the Honam region would increase significantly.

Taewoo Group also needed land to carry out various businesses.

If possible, it was better to build factories and research centers in locations that would be helpful to the National Economy Party.

“Then, we will plan this general election using Saemangeum development as a representative pledge of the Honam region.”

“If you only attract Taewoo Group, it will be a bit weak. Declare that you will also attract famous overseas companies.”

“Is that possible?”

“If Taewoo Group moves, there are overseas companies that will move together.”

Representative Choi Jae-seok could not hide his smile.

How great would it be to hear that Taewoo Group is providing a strategy for targeting the Honam region, which has been difficult to find?

“If approval ratings rise in the Honam region, it will have a very positive impact on the sentiment of voters in Seoul.”

“Well, how many of the residents of Seoul are natives of Seoul? Most of them are probably people who came to Seoul from other places.”

“Seoul residents from the Honam region have the highest proportion, reaching a whopping 15%.”

Seoul was not a matter of simply targeting Seoul alone.

People from all over the world were settling down in Seoul.

Among them, the majority were from the Honam region, so the approval rating in Seoul could also increase only if the approval rating in the Honam region was raised.

“If we target the Honam region properly, we will be able to win more seats in Seoul.”

“I don’t know about Gangnam, but I think it will have a very positive effect in Gangbuk.”

“I will provide as much support as I can, so let’s work together to ensure that the National Economy Party wins more than half of the seats.”

“I will do my best to receive such support from the Chairman. I will reduce my sleep and engage in campaign activities with the mindset that it is a presidential election, not a general election.”

It was a good mindset.

This general election was no different from a presidential election.

The presidential election will be held only half a year after the general election.

* * *

I visited the financial tower to meet Vice Chairman Han.

Perhaps because it was rush hour, employees of overseas financial companies were going to work.

Executives who were familiar with me quickly bowed their heads and said hello.

“Nice to meet you! Chairman!”

“You don’t have to do this. But you adopted Korean culture quickly.”

“I want to bow down, but I am holding back because there are many eyes watching.”

I can’t believe I received all these greetings from a yellow-haired foreigner.

Rather, they were executives from foreign financial companies who greeted me more politely than employees of the Taewoong Group.

“Have you received group etiquette training in Cheonghak-dong? They all bow their heads at 90 degrees.”

“Isn’t that what the financial world is all about? These are people who are willing to sell their souls as long as they can make high profits.”

I nodded at Vice President Han’s words.

Thanks to moving into the financial tower, I was able to record huge returns.

In particular, executives were receiving huge bonuses, so it was natural for them to bow their heads.

“The reason I asked to see Vice Chairman Han today is because I was thinking about investing in Korea for the first time in a long time.”

“How much do you plan to invest?”

“The amount is quite large. We plan to spend approximately $1 billion.”

“Rather than worrying, I’m glad it’s not a large amount. The chairman said the amount was quite large, so I thought it was at least $10 billion. We will take steps so that you can use it right away, even today.”

“Aren’t you curious about what business you are investing in?”

It was a vice president who did not even ask where he was investing.

He was a vice chairman who had a lot of money because he had made a lot of money through the oil war and short selling in China.

“I didn’t ask because an investment of about 1 billion dollars is not a very large investment. So where do you plan to invest?”

“I plan to invest in shipyards and Saemangeum in the Honam region.”

“Please do so. I will think of it as money you don’t have and take it away.”

1 billion dollars was more than 1 trillion won.

In most companies, in order to make an investment worth $1 billion, you would have to go through many meetings and procedures.

Taewo Group’s investment of about $1 billion was possible with just a word.

Where in the country can there be a group like this?

In addition, $1 billion was spent to raise the approval rating of the National Economy Party.

No company could spend as much as $1 billion for political funding purposes.