CH425 | Heir

With the emergence of comprehensive cable news channels, Korea suddenly had a wide variety of news outlets.

The major terrestrial broadcasters and news specialty channels, which had once dominated the news market, now had to compete with cable networks, which made them hunt for increasingly sensational stories.

Was that the reason?

The first outlet to report the information we released was a cable network, and Vice Chairman Han even watched the news again in Captain Kang’s office.

“The coverage is quite substantial. It even includes details that weren’t in the information we released.”

“Of course it does. It’s a news network. They must have been collecting information independently but delayed reporting until they found the decisive connections.”

Fragmented information can’t be turned into news.

You need to find the connecting threads that tie multiple pieces together. Only then does it become news.

The information we released served as a crucial link for the networks’ own data.

“From what we hear from the media, more whistleblowers are coming forward.”

“The lower the administration’s approval rating, the more whistleblowers tend to appear.”

“And we’re getting reports linked to the Olympic bidding foundation as well.”

The Taewoo Group had always maintained good relations with the media.

Along with Samsung Group, Taewoo was one of the largest advertisers.

Naturally, that meant we had connections within the networks, which Captain Kang managed efficiently.

“With no need to consider the government’s stance, a wide variety of news can be produced.”

“The stories include the ‘door-handle trio,’ corruption in the sports foundation, and even tales of unofficial power brokers.”

“Such stories are already surfacing? The media really has been thorough in collecting information.”

The president held near-absolute power.

But maintaining that power required public support, and with the administration having suffered historically low results in the general election, its influence was clearly weakened.

“Keep releasing all the information we have.”

“Our staff are continuously sending the data they collect to the media.”

“And although we don’t really need to intervene, manage the SNS and portal sites as well.”

“I’ll act to pour fuel on the fire so it can burn even stronger.”

This was a historical event that would unfold even without our involvement.

Still, to quietly conclude the Taewoo Group’s tax audit, we needed to accelerate the timeline as much as possible.

“What’s the mood at the National Tax Service?”

“After Taewoo Trading, audits of other affiliates were planned sequentially. But the NTS hasn’t taken any further action.”

“Even though the Blue House’s orders must have been issued? It seems like they’re taking a moment to pause and observe the situation.”

“Whenever presidential approval drops, civil servants are the most sensitive to reacting. The NTS is no different.”

Self-preservation.

Korean civil servants were strongly inclined toward inaction.

It made sense—if they tried something new and failed, they bore full responsibility, whereas simply staying put guaranteed job security.

The NTS was no exception.

Even if this administration favored them, there weren’t many years left, so they were cautious.

“Even if they hold back for now, if the Blue House continues to apply pressure, they’ll start moving again.”

“The president’s approval rating is currently 29%. If it drops further, high-ranking NTS officials are likely to refuse the Blue House’s orders.”

“The media may temporarily consolidate support, but over the long term, approval ratings will continue to fall.”

“As you know, it’s illegal for the Blue House to order a retaliatory tax audit without a specific reason.”

Which senior official would want to break the law?

Putting their career aside, they could even go to prison.

“If we apply just a little more external pressure, the NTS will halt all operations. If the National Economic Party, as the leading opposition, orders the cessation of retaliatory audits, won’t that be very effective?”

“Some NTS executives may have been waiting for just such a scenario. They had no reason to delay audits, but if the National Economic Party steps in, it provides justification.”

The weight of the leading party was significant.

If they allied with other opposition members, they could command enough seats to even launch a special NTS investigation.

“It’s proper to give a slap to a child who’s crying. Tell them to start advocating against retaliatory audits starting today.”

“Since the cause is framed as necessary for Korea’s economic development, the National Economic Party can act without hesitation.”

The arrow had now left the bowstring.

Once an arrow is released, it does not return.

The historical event of impeachment would now rapidly progress to a point where no one could stop it.

***

Fifteen days later.

Congressman Choi Jae-seok and Captain Kang met at the annex of a restaurant.

The meeting was intended to express gratitude to the National Economic Party, which had spent the past two weeks actively opposing the retaliatory tax audits.

“Thanks to the National Economic Party, the tax audit has been stopped. We are grateful.”

“Even if it hadn’t been the Taewoo Group but another company under audit, the National Economic Party would have maintained the same political stance. So there’s no need to thank us personally.”

Congressman Choi had softened somewhat compared to before.

But compared to ordinary politicians, he still retained a firm and upright demeanor.

That was why aligning with him had been the right move, and maintaining this demeanor was mutually beneficial for the future.

“It seems the Blue House has become a source of entertainment lately. The media, the opposition, and even some members of the ruling party are criticizing them.”

“Politics has turned into a comedy. How did it come to this? While the Blue House made mistakes, what’s frustrating is that the criticism isn’t fair—it’s all satire and attacks, which makes it hard to watch.”

The media was pumping out sensational news.

Shamanism, unofficial power brokers, and a flood of rumors were all over the news.

In particular, the suspicions raised during the last presidential candidate primaries were decisive.

“There’s a saying that where there’s smoke, there’s fire. When allegations resurface from a candidate in the same party during the last presidential primaries, it seems the media already had substantial information.”

“Fortunately, the Taewoo Group’s tax audit was halted, but the other policies aren’t moving forward.”

The shipping company big deal, Busan New Port, real estate PF—these were all policies the National Economic Party had promised extensively during the general election.

They were doing their best to fulfill commitments to voters, but the impeachment crisis had diverted attention from economic policy.

That was why Congressman Choi was not pleased with the current situation.

These were policies that needed to be negotiated and finalized as quickly as possible for Korea’s economic development.

“You must be feeling quite frustrated, right?”

“When the National Economic Party secured a majority, I thought we could accomplish anything. But even as the leading opposition, the scope of what we can do is limited.”

“Then why not become the ruling party?”

“There’s still a year and six months left until the presidential election.”

It was nearly two years away—the 19th presidential election.

But given the current momentum, the election could very well be brought forward, possibly even held within this year.

“The president’s approval rating has fallen below 25%. And scandals connected to the Blue House continue to surface.”

“The lame-duck period has come a bit early. Still, that doesn’t change the election schedule.”

“Why not? If the president becomes incapacitated, a presidential election must be held within 60 days, doesn’t it?”

“Are you thinking about impeachment? It’s not an easy process. As you know, ten years ago, presidential impeachment proceedings were initiated, but the Constitutional Court dismissed them.”

Impeachment was not an unfamiliar concept in South Korea.

Ten years prior, it had occurred, and after a lengthy judicial review, the impeachment was ultimately dismissed.

“The situation now is very different. There’s a huge gap in government approval ratings, and even our internal polling at Taewoo Group shows a significant difference.”

“What did the polling reveal?”

“Sixty-five percent of the public supports impeachment. And with every subsequent poll, support grows. Even in Daegu and North Gyeongsang—strongholds of the ruling party—over half support impeachment.”

The results were markedly different from ten years ago.

Back then, only about 23% supported impeachment.

While over 65% believed the president had made mistakes, few thought it warranted impeachment—they simply wanted an apology and for the matter to be resolved.

It had been a past impeachment attempt carried out without fully understanding the public mood.

“The political scene will get even noisier. Once the impeachment crisis begins, all policies come to a halt.”

“Why not have you (Congressman Choi) become president and implement all the policies that were previously stalled?”

“It would take far too long. The impeachment process alone would easily take over a year, and even if the president were removed, the election would only be six months earlier than scheduled.”

“Six months is not an insignificant period.”

“If I run in the presidential election without having fulfilled the promises made during the general election, I would become a liar in the public eye.”

There was no way I could let Congressman Choi become a liar.

This was the perfect opportunity for him to become president.

So I was determined to do whatever it took.

“We’ll start with the policies that Taewoo Group can execute on its own. We’ll finalize the ship orders at Gunsan Shipyard within this month, launch the real estate PF, and prepare for the Busan New Port infrastructure project.”

“Moving forward without government support will cost significantly more.”

“That’s fine. It’s a smaller price to pay than letting you be seen as a liar.”

Money was always the easiest problem to solve.

Projects like Saemangeum required political consensus, so we couldn’t touch them. But for other policies, Taewoo Group had sufficient funds to proceed independently.

“I feel uneasy about placing such a burden on Taewoo Group.”

“Don’t think that way. You only need to focus on the greater cause—the development of South Korea’s economy.”

“Ha, I am grateful for Taewoo Group’s sacrifice and your decision for the sake of the greater good.”

“Given the possibility that the presidential election could be held as early as this year, you should start preparing now.”

Congressman Choi paused.

Even the shortest impeachment process would take at least six months, and adding the presidential election process meant at least a year.

So, physically holding an election within this year was impossible, which explained Choi’s momentary shock.

“Isn’t it impossible for the presidential election to be held this year? The outcome of the impeachment is still uncertain.”

“If the impeachment process proceeds normally, you’re right—it wouldn’t be possible this year. But there is a faster alternative.”

“What method is that?”

“Instead of the disgrace of impeachment, why not choose the dignified exit of resignation?”

History was now unfolding faster than before my return.

Approval ratings were dropping even more quickly, and media coverage was far more detailed and aggressive than before.

As a result, a new option had emerged.

Not impeachment, but resignation—the president stepping down voluntarily.

And presenting that choice to the Blue House was ultimately Congressman Choi’s decision.