Chapter 103: Rapid Change
After parting ways with Kang Tae-joon at Cheongunjae, Baek Moo-jin headed straight to Yeouido to meet with Representative Seo Gi-tae of the National Future Alliance.
Even as he rode in the car,
the weight of the documents in his hand seemed to press down on him.
‘If this information is released, the National Unity Party will surely collapse…’
Baek Moo-jin, who had spent over 20 years in politics with the National Unity Party, felt a bitter twinge in his heart.
But it was a party that had already abandoned him.
Holding onto any lingering attachment was pointless.
“Sir, we’ve arrived.”
At the secretary’s voice announcing their arrival in front of the building housing Representative Seo Gi-tae’s office, Baek Moo-jin momentarily collected himself and stepped out of the car.
“Welcome, Chief Baek. The representative has been waiting for you.”
Seo Gi-tae’s aide greeted Baek Moo-jin and led him to the conference room.
Seo Gi-tae was already seated there, waiting for him.
Upon seeing him, Seo Gi-tae rose from his seat, smiled brightly, and extended his hand.
“Ah, welcome.”
“Apologies for the sudden visit, Representative.”
“Not at all. I received a call from Representative Kang Tae-joon. Honestly, I was skeptical, but I’m surprised to actually meet you like this.”
Seo Gi-tae courteously seated him and continued softly.
“Representative Kang said you would be a great help in the election. I’m curious, what specific assistance did he mention?”
Baek Moo-jin hesitated for a moment before handing over the document envelope to Seo Gi-tae.
“It would be quicker if you looked at it yourself.”
Seo Gi-tae opened the envelope and reviewed the documents.
Soon, his face showed both shock and astonishment.
“…Where did you obtain these documents? Surely not from Chief Baek yourself?”
Baek Moo-jin shook his head.
“These were prepared by Representative Kang Tae-joon. They contain a record of all political funds exchanged between the National Unity Party and Ahsunng Group over the years.”
Seo Gi-tae’s expression hardened.
He seemed to understand the significance of the documents.
“If we use these documents, the National Unity Party will undoubtedly suffer a fatal blow just before the election.”
Baek Moo-jin calmly continued.
“That’s right. If we release this, the National Unity Party’s integrity will be severely questioned. At that moment, if our National Future Alliance pushes forward with the economic democratization bill, we can gain significant support.”
Seo Gi-tae looked him in the eye.
“The economic democratization bill… you were the one who championed it, weren’t you?”
“It was also a matter that was thwarted by the opposition of Ahsunng Group and the party leadership.”
Seo Gi-tae pondered for a moment, flipping through the documents.
“If we run the election based on these documents, we can certainly secure the people’s support. However, Chief Baek, there’s one important point.”
“What is it?”
“The National Unity Party is trying to frame you as the mastermind behind the slush fund scandal. If the National Future Alliance accepts you, there’s a high chance that criticism will be directed at us as well.”
Seo Gi-tae’s concern was reasonable.
So, he proposed an alternative.
“Instead of releasing these documents, what if we bring the people listed here into the National Future Alliance?”
“……”
Baek Moo-jin fell silent at Seo Gi-tae’s words.
But soon, he spoke again.
“Are you… protecting me?”
“Haha, I couldn’t possibly send someone who came to help me into danger.”
As Seo Gi-tae said,
releasing the documents in the envelope could deal a fatal blow to the National Unity Party.
But Baek Moo-jin himself wouldn’t be safe either.
So, he proposed an alternative to bring National Unity Party members into the National Future Alliance,
and he didn’t think it was a bad idea.
No… it was the perfect opportunity to weaken the National Unity Party.
Seo Gi-tae continued, looking at Baek Moo-jin.
“Chief Baek, what I want is not the complete collapse of the National Unity Party. Shaking the party and extracting a few key members will be enough.”
Baek Moo-jin nodded in agreement with Seo Gi-tae’s words.
“If we collapse the entire National Unity Party, it could lead to severe political chaos and even backlash. So, who do you think we should recruit?”
Seo Gi-tae carefully flipped through the documents and spoke thoughtfully.
“Recruiting just a few mid-level members from those listed here could significantly damage the authority of the National Unity Party leadership.”
“Name some specific individuals.”
Seo Gi-tae immediately named a few.
“I’d like to bring in Representatives Park Young-chul and Jang Byung-hoon.”
Upon hearing the names, Baek Moo-jin paused in thought.
Both were mid-level members with over three terms,
key decision-makers in the party.
If they joined the National Future Alliance, it would cause considerable turmoil within the National Unity Party.
“In addition to those two, though not on the list, it would be good to bring in Representative Lee Soo-hyuk. Personally, I’m close to him, and he’s likely dissatisfied with the party leadership over this incident. But Representatives Park Young-chul and Jang Byung-hoon won’t be easy. They have close ties with Ahsunng Group…”
Seo Gi-tae smiled meaningfully.
“No matter how deep their ties with Ahsunng are, coming over to our side would be far better than giving up their seats.”
The moment a member’s legitimacy is questioned,
their political career is as good as over.
Therefore, using these documents as leverage, they would have no choice but to switch allegiance to the National Future Alliance, whether they liked it or not.
“There’s definitely a chance.”
Seo Gi-tae nodded and said,
“Chief Baek, will you take charge of this?”
As the party leader and presidential candidate of the National Future Alliance, Seo Gi-tae intended to test Baek Moo-jin with this task.
Of course, Baek Moo-jin, who couldn’t possibly be unaware of this, nodded.
“I’ll move as you’ve instructed. I’ll persuade them myself.”
Seo Gi-tae smiled brightly.
“Thank you. If you succeed in this, I won’t forget your contribution.”
Baek Moo-jin felt passion reignite within him.
He no longer intended to end his political career miserably as a scapegoat for the National Unity Party.
Rising from his seat, Baek Moo-jin assured Seo Gi-tae,
“I’ll bring results soon.”
Seo Gi-tae firmly grasped his hand.
“It’s an honor to work with you, Chief Baek.”
At the National Unity Party assembly hall,
Baek Moo-jin first headed to Representative Lee Soo-hyuk’s office to meet him.
The staff was taken aback by his visit,
but Lee Soo-hyuk welcomed him warmly upon seeing him.
“Chief Baek, what brings you here? I heard the party is pressuring you…”
“That’s why I’ve come to see you, Representative Lee.”
Lee Soo-hyuk’s expression briefly hardened, then softened again.
“No matter what the party says, I’m on your side. Speak freely, whatever it is.”
Lee Soo-hyuk’s words eased Baek Moo-jin’s mind somewhat.
“I’ve come to ask you to join me in the National Future Alliance, Representative Lee.”
Lee Soo-hyuk’s eyes widened at the suggestion to speak freely.
“Join the National Future Alliance?”
“There’s no hope left here. The leadership is swayed by Ahsunng Group, only caring about political funds. Now that there’s a problem, they’re trying to shift all the blame onto me.”
Lee Soo-hyuk, already aware of the situation, nodded and sighed deeply.
“The party’s atmosphere has indeed been terrible lately. The leadership is only worried about saving their own skins, constantly watching Ahsunng’s every move.”
Baek Moo-jin realized Lee Soo-hyuk was shaken by his words.
“The National Future Alliance has decided to put the economic democratization bill we championed front and center. If you join them, you could take on a significant role.”
Lee Soo-hyuk did not respond immediately to Baek Moo-jin’s words.
He seemed as cautious as the weight of the words themselves.
“I understand your intentions, but even if I leave the party, it will likely be seen as a personal choice. How much impact could it have?”
Smiling, Baek Moo-jin pulled documents from his pocket.
He placed them lightly on Lee Soo-hyuk’s desk.
“What’s this?”
“A record of slush funds secretly exchanged between key figures of Ahsunng Group and the National Unity Party.”
As Lee Soo-hyuk opened the documents, his eyes widened dramatically.
The documents were filled with names he recognized,
with detailed records of transaction dates and account numbers.
“…How did you get your hands on this?”
“I can’t reveal the source, but the information is 100% accurate. You can imagine the storm this would cause within the party if it were released?”
A cold tension settled over Lee Soo-hyuk’s face.
“If these documents are released, the party could collapse. Are you making this decision to join the National Future Alliance based on these documents?”
Baek Moo-jin nodded.
“With these documents, the National Future Alliance can definitely seize power, and the economic democratization bill we championed together can be realized.”
Lee Soo-hyuk’s hand trembled slightly.
The documents were more serious and decisive than he had imagined.
“But as I said, if only I switch parties, the impact won’t be that great.”
“That’s why I plan to bring Representatives Park Young-chul and Jang Byung-hoon as well.”
Lee Soo-hyuk was shocked to hear the unexpected names.
Then he expressed his doubt.
“It won’t be easy to persuade those two.”
Representatives Park Young-chul and Jang Byung-hoon were power brokers within the National Unity Party, controlling party finances and personnel.
Bringing them to the National Future Alliance was practically impossible.
But Baek Moo-jin had a different idea from Lee Soo-hyuk.
“Those two are already too deeply entangled with Ahsunng Group. The moment these documents are released, they’ll be politically finished. So, no matter who they are, they won’t be able to resist my words.”
Lee Soo-hyuk nodded immediately.
He thought that rather than ending his political career,
he would surely try to maintain it by switching parties.
Convinced that Representative Baek Moo-jin’s plan was plausible, Lee Soo-hyuk made up his mind.
The party had no future.
With the powerful slush fund list, the chances of the National Unity Party winning the next election were extremely low.
“I’ll follow your lead.”
A smile spread across Baek Moo-jin’s face.
“Thank you, Representative Lee.”
As the two men shook hands,
the political landscape of South Korea was rapidly changing.