"This year, it will probably be difficult to pass. There's a presidential election, and with the economic crisis, everyone will be busy managing votes. When the interest rate cap is abolished next year, please work hard."
If the lobbying of the Cheongpung Association and Grandfather's lobbying combine, the law should pass without much trouble.
"However, Muhyeok, even the IMF Managing Director and foreign investment banks say that the Korean economy is not in crisis. The people in the government say the same. They all say there's no problem."
As Grandfather said, currently, not only the government but also major foreign investment banks and IMF directors, and people well-versed in economics, are being prominently featured in the media.
But many citizens lost their jobs, companies went bankrupt, and families were destroyed because they believed these words.
Just because they trusted the government.
"The amount of money being poured into the exchange rate alone is enormous. Eventually, the foreign exchange reserves held by the government will run out. From then on, they will become prey for foreign hedge funds. It will start with Southeast Asia, as they are more vulnerable than us."
"Hmm..."
"And you know the media owners, right? Can you make some connections for me?"
"Media?"
"Anyway, I have a lot of work to do using the media from the end of the year. It would be good to get to know them in advance."
"I understand. I'll arrange a meeting soon. The people you'll meet will be completely different from those you've met so far. They think they are the class that moves South Korea."
"Yes, I know."
Before the internet developed and various portals appeared, all information was delivered to the public through newspapers and broadcasts.
Public opinion moved according to the editorial stance of each newspaper and broadcasting station.
The media, which had survived as the mouthpiece of the military regime, was now manipulating public opinion for their own benefit.
"I'll set up a meeting soon. It will be easier to introduce you as my successor then."
"Thank you."
It was easier to get what you wanted by using the prosecution and the media well.
The conversation with Grandfather continued for a long time after that.
A few days later, Grandfather arranged a meeting at a hotel owned by the Koryo Ilbo.
"President Cheon, it's been a while."
"Yeah, President Ko, how have you been? I hear you've handed everything over to your children and are living like a hermit."
"Isn't it time for us to step back? I heard you've handed everything over to your grandson and stepped back? I hear that your grandson is a bulldozer, and President Jang of Hyunbo Group is having a hard time."
"Hehe."
President Cheon and the five major daily newspaper owners greeted each other and shared old stories and memories.
"Today, my grandson said he wanted to see you and asked for some time."
"Really?"
All five pairs of eyes turned to me.
"Hello, I'm Kim Muhyeok."
"You look young. How old are you?"
"I'm twenty-four this year. It's an honor to meet the presidents who have led this era."
"Haha. You're a polite young man."
The atmosphere wasn't bad.
"I asked Grandfather to arrange this meeting to continue the relationship that has been passed down from his time. I hope we can maintain a good relationship."
"Hahaha. What power do old men like us have?"
President Ko of the Koryo Ilbo, which has the highest circulation among the five newspapers, continued to speak on their behalf.
"Thanks to you, South Korea has been able to come this far without any major problems. Just because you've stepped back from the front lines doesn't mean your past contributions have disappeared. Please take care of me."
I bowed and greeted them again.
I might end up dealing with their sons more than meeting these people again, but ultimately, everything is still adjusted according to their whims. There was no choice.
South Korea's public opinion is still moved by newspapers. If I alienated them, I wouldn't be able to do anything.
As I greeted each of them, they handed me a blank business card.
Just five business cards.
But these could be powerful weapons to move South Korea's public opinion.
Of course, there are journalists and editors who work on the front lines, but they could be bribed regularly.
Eventually, I left first. The meeting between Grandfather and the newspaper owners continued until late at night.
* * *
President Jang's statement at the National Assembly hearing on the Hyunbo Steel bankruptcy became a hot topic.
"There are statements from company executives to the prosecution that even with additional funding, the company could only have lasted a few more months. What do you think about that, President Jang?"
"Hehe, I, the owner, know. How would a servant know?"
This statement, which represented the thinking of large corporate owners, sparked public outrage during the live broadcast of the National Assembly hearing.
"You're not in your right mind. Tsk tsk."
President Song shook his head as he watched the hearing on TV.
"He probably won't come to his senses until he dies."
"That's right. So, what's the matter today?"
"What about Hyunbo Steel and Construction?"
The mention of Hyunbo Steel and Construction brightened President Song's face.
"Those guys, who made things difficult for me, ended up dragging out negotiations with the government and decided to acquire it without proper debt relief. I told the creditors and government officials that I could intervene if they sold it at a low price. Hehe."
Originally, Daehyun was to acquire Hyunbo Steel.
It was a poisoned chalice with a total debt of 5 trillion won, but Daehyun had no choice as it was out of favor with the government.
Even with 1.4 trillion won in debt relief, Hyunbo Steel, which still had over 3 trillion won in debt, became a boomerang that ate away at Daehyun.
"IL Sung and Joongwoo will soon wobble. President, you might as well enjoy a good meal and watch a show."
"What? Hahahaha."
After laughing heartily for a while, President Song looked at me with a gentle expression.
"How about Hyunji?"
"I meet her occasionally."
"Meet her often. Youth doesn't come back."
"Yes."
"How is the Daechi-dong project progressing?"
"Thanks to the help of Daehyun Construction, it's progressing smoothly. It's expected to be completed soon."
President Song nodded.
Thanks to the help of Daehyun Construction, the construction period was significantly shortened, and all work was expected to be completed soon.
If President Song hadn't helped, it would have been impossible to meet the completion date.
"I hear that the Ashin Group will go bankrupt soon. Have you heard anything about it?"
"Hmm..."
The Ashin Group.
A large corporation with numerous subsidiaries, including Ashin Motors, Ashin Heavy Industries, and Ashin Electronics, employing tens of thousands of citizens.
However, due to severe financial difficulties, rumors of bankruptcy were circulating.
"Ashin."
Ashin had a unique structure that was rare among large corporations.
The Ashin Group was not owned by a specific family like other companies. It was well-known for its professional management system, often cited as a model.
In 1993, IL Sung Group entered the automobile business and began large-scale stock purchases.
After public opinion became noisy, they sold some shares, but it was a well-known fact that IL Sung was targeting Ashin Motors.
"IL Sung is probably lobbying hard to acquire Ashin Motors. They are likely pressuring the political and banking sectors to prevent funding support."
President Song nodded in agreement with my words.
"I know, but there's no reason or way to stop it."
But ultimately, Ashin Motors will end up in Daehyun's hands.
"Do nothing. Just let it flow. When the government changes, you can move then. Isn't the presidential election coming soon?"
President Song looked puzzled.
"Even if you do, the ruling party will win, won't it?"
It was true that the ruling party candidate was leading the opposition candidate in opinion polls.
But I shook my head.
"I don't see it that way. The ruling party will split."
"What?"
"The presidential candidate is opposing the current president. The current president probably won't support him at all. Instead, he will support the other side, splitting the ruling party's votes. In the end, the opposition will win by default."
"Surely not. Even in the first presidential election after the Fifth Republic, the opposition was expected to win, but what happened?"
"At that time, the opposition's votes were split."
"Hmm... So this time, the opposition will win?"
"Yes, if I were to bet, I would bet on the opposition."
President Song's contemplation deepened.
I had already laid the groundwork with the opposition.
Of course, I had to contribute a significant amount of political funds.
"Regime change... Other large corporations are probably predicting a ruling party victory."
Even if the ruling party's votes are split, the opposition candidate will win by a margin of less than 500,000 votes.
Moreover, regime change was a distant prospect in this era. I understood President Song's hesitation.
"The sooner you bet, the better. I've already started betting on the opposition. Whether you choose or not, don't forget my advice."
"Alright, I'll think about it."
"Yes, I'll take my leave now."
Leaving the contemplative President Song behind, I got into the car with Manager Ma.
"Manager, you asked me before, didn't you? Why I give information only to Daehyun