Chapter 194: 인수위
The post on the feed consisted of just one sentence and a few vehicle names, but the reaction was explosive, as always.
└Are they really announcing Prime in six months?
└And they’re unveiling it at the Burckling Circuit Trial?
└What’s this Burckling thing? Is it like a racing event or something?
└It’s not a motorsports event. It’s an unofficial performance validation trial where vehicle manufacturers showcase their cars before mass production.
└They don’t officially certify performance with numbers, but since real-time data is available, it’s almost the same as certification.
└So, they’re going to compete with renowned companies like Bugatti, Porsche, Spyder, and Ahsung?
└Well… yes.
└Wow, so Kang Tae-joon’s post might not be a lie after all?
└I don’t think he would make a lie that would be exposed in just six months.
└With that kind of confidence, something must be coming.
└So, the stock price will rise further?
└ㅋㅋㅋ It’s not just going to rise. It’s already risen.
└It’s already risen?
└The stock surged 10% as soon as the post went up!
＊＊＊
“Posting on the feed definitely gets a quick reaction.”
“That’s why we use SNS.”
There’s a reason I don’t use the official account and instead release information through my personal account every time.
“No need for press conferences, and the response is immediate.”
Seong-hwan seems to be gradually realizing the power of SNS.
“Have you pulled all the ads from National Broadcasting, Central Media, and Hanbit Daily?”
“Of course. Not just those, but also from any outlets that published malicious articles about us—all ads canceled without exception.”
If I didn’t have a platform to promote my products, I would have had no choice but to advertise even in malicious articles.
But now, in this era of legacy media…
There’s no need to rely on outdated advertising methods.
With just one post, over 60 million people see it simultaneously.
There’s no reason to spend money advertising in media outlets I don’t even like.
“Pulling all the ads definitely had an effect.”
“What do you mean?”
“Every time I see them, the business directors who used to boast come begging, asking if we can’t place ads with them.”
After publishing all those malicious articles…
They’re now backpedaling.
“From now on, don’t bother with legacy media. Any outlet that publishes even a single line hostile to us, treat them all the same.”
“I was already planning to. By the way, your follower count has already surpassed 65 million.”
Seong-hwan said, his voice excited.
Even to me, the follower growth seems terrifyingly fast.
“The effect of issuing 10 billion shares of Dojin Frontier is definitely there.”
Of the 10 billion shares issued,
only 3.2 billion are actually on the market (?).
But most of those who bought the shares naturally became my followers.
Of course, the post about Prime (PRIME) I uploaded this time probably had an impact too…
“Anyway, thanks to your follower count, Candidate Baek Moo-jin’s support rate has soared.”
It’s the effect of me occasionally resharing the candidate’s policies and speeches.
“What’s the current support rate?”
“45.2%.”
“And Kwon Seok-tae’s side?”
“41.8%.”
It’s not entirely reassuring,
but unless something unexpected happens, it’s safe to say Candidate Baek Moo-jin will win.
“But… it seems like you’re getting too involved in politics. Quite a few people are concerned.”
“I know, but don’t worry about it!”
I dismissed Seong-hwan’s words.
Lately, I’ve been mentioning politics a lot, but I’m not bothered by it.
“The National Unity Party attacked us first.”
I’m not the kind of person to sit back and watch those who mess with me.
Going forward, I plan to use my influence to ensure the National Unity Party never gains power
or becomes the majority party in the general election.
Seong-hwan nods in agreement.
“Well, I’m not a big fan of the National Unity Party either. From our perspective, it’s much better for the National Future Alliance to take power. It’s also more advantageous for business.”
“Once Candidate Baek Moo-jin is elected, I plan to settle the score with Ahsung properly.”
It’s time to crush Ahsung with all my might.
.
.
.
On the day of the 19th presidential election in South Korea,
long lines formed early in the morning at polling stations in Gangnam, Jeongja-dong, Yongsan, and downtown areas of major metropolitan cities.
Following a record-high early voting rate of 37.5%,
the atmosphere on election day was similarly vibrant.
“As of noon, the nationwide voter turnout has surpassed 52.3%!”
“In Seoul’s Gangseo district, it’s already at 55.2%, and in Daejeon’s Seo district, it’s at 58.6%.”
Inside Baek Moo-jin’s campaign headquarters,
the staff’s expressions were buoyant as real-time voter turnout data poured in from regional situation rooms.
“At this rate, we’ll definitely surpass 78%.”
Seong-hwan’s expression, as he monitored the situation alongside the Baek Moo-jin campaign, was brighter than ever.
“During early voting, the centrist and youth turnout was overwhelming, so the situation is in our favor.”
And at 7:30 PM,
thirty minutes before the polls closed,
the final voter turnout was officially registered on the National Election Commission’s website.
[Final Voter Turnout: 80.1%]
“Wow, the turnout exceeded 80%?”
“This election has definitely drawn more attention than usual.”
Assemblyman Lee Soo-hyuk, the campaign chairman, added to Seong-hwan’s remark.
“It’s all thanks to Chairman Kang Tae-joon’s support.”
Unlike previous elections,
both early and main voting saw significantly higher participation from centrists and young voters.
“Still, we can’t let our guard down until the results are in.”
Shortly after Seong-hwan’s words,
the exit poll results were announced.
-Baek Moo-jin (National Future Alliance): 50.8%
-Kwon Seok-tae (National Unity Party): 46.7%
“Whoaaaaa!”
While not overwhelming,
given that exit poll results have never been wrong, it was a highly positive outcome.
The atmosphere in Baek Moo-jin’s campaign headquarters heated up.
“If we maintain this, Candidate Baek will win.”
Both Campaign Chairman Lee Soo-hyuk
and Candidate Baek Moo-jin, watching together, looked visibly relieved.
Then, someone opened the door and entered the campaign headquarters.
“Tae-joon!”
Seong-hwan, the first to spot me, called my name,
and another cheer erupted in the campaign headquarters.
“Kang Tae-joon! Kang Tae-joon! Kang Tae-joon!”
“Baek Moo-jin! Baek Moo-jin! Baek Moo-jin!”
“Whoaaaaa!”
Perhaps because I could be called the hero of this election, the way people from the Baek Moo-jin camp looked at me was very favorable.
“Haha, let’s hold off on celebrating until the final results are in.”
With my words, everyone’s attention shifted back to the vote count broadcast.
[21:15 – 10% of Votes Counted]
-Baek Moo-jin: 49.2%
-Kwon Seok-tae: 48.1%
The atmosphere grew slightly tense as the vote share narrowed compared to the exit poll.
[22:47 – 48.5% of Votes Counted]
-Baek Moo-jin: 48.9%
-Kwon Seok-tae: 49.0%
“What… what? We’ve been overtaken.”
I shook my head at Seong-hwan’s words.
“That’s because this is Kwon Seok-tae’s stronghold. The real battle starts now.”
The vote count in the capital area hadn’t even reached 50% yet.
As midnight passed, just as I predicted, Candidate Baek Moo-jin began to pull ahead again.
[00:37 – 74.2% of Votes Counted]
-Baek Moo-jin: 50.1%
-Kwon Seok-tae: 48.6%
“Phew, this is nerve-wracking to watch.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll definitely win.”
Since history has already diverged from what I know since the last presidential election, the outcome is uncertain,
but I’m confident we’ll win.
And just as I predicted,
after 1 AM,
the situation shifted decisively in favor of Candidate Baek Moo-jin.
[01:47 – 97.9% of Votes Counted]
-Baek Moo-jin (National Future Alliance): 51.6%
-Kwon Seok-tae (National Unity Party): 46.1%
[02:03 – Joint Announcement by the Three Major Broadcasters]
“Candidate Baek Moo-jin confirmed as the 19th President of South Korea!”
＊＊＊
The next day,
after the confirmation speech in Yeouido,
President-elect Baek Moo-jin and I met privately at Cheongunjae.
“Haha, congratulations once again, Mr. President.”
“It’s all thanks to Chairman Kang.”
The excitement from yesterday’s victory still seemed to linger,
as Baek Moo-jin’s voice trembled slightly as he spoke.
Then, he looked at me seriously.
“If it weren’t for Chairman Kang, my political career would have ended during the National Unity Party era.”
Five years ago, when I was the chief of staff for the National Unity Party, I became a scapegoat for Kwon Seok-tae’s schemes.
If I hadn’t saved him then, there’s no doubt that the current Baek Moo-jin wouldn’t exist.
Perhaps that’s why his gaze was so intense.
“I’ve spent my entire life in politics, so I don’t know much about the business world, but I’ll help Chairman Kang with whatever you need.”
As he gripped my hand tightly, I slowly began to speak.
“Then, since we’ve been wronged, let’s start by investigating any connections between Assemblyman Kwon Seok-tae and Ahsung Group Chairman Cheon Ho-tae.”
“You mean to turn the tables on how Kwon Seok-tae’s side linked you and me?”
“I’m not the kind of person to let things slide.”
At the time, it was difficult to retaliate because the Prosecutor General was a National Unity Party appointee.
But during the presidential transition, the Prosecutor General will naturally be replaced, so repaying them in kind won’t be difficult.
“Should we target Assemblyman Kwon Seok-tae and Chairman Cheon Ho-tae?”
“That would be best, but directly implicating Chairman Cheon will be difficult.”
“You mean it’ll be hard to take down Chairman Cheon over this?”
I slowly nodded.
“He’s the type who never gets his hands dirty. There won’t be any cash transactions or even meeting minutes left behind.”
He only received in-person reports and even then, gave instructions in silence.
Baek Moo-jin rubbed his forehead and shook his head.
“Then, finding a link between Kwon Seok-tae and Ahsung Group won’t be easy.”
“Instead… target Director Kim Seong-jae.”
I never intended to take down Chairman Cheon over this.
He needs to stay and watch as I bring down Ahsung.
“You mean… from the start, you planned to cut off Chairman Cheon’s right-hand man, Kim Seong-jae?”
I smiled and nodded.
“Director Kim Seong-jae of Strategic Planning is meticulous and cautious, but I know better than anyone how he provided political funds to Assemblyman Kwon Seok-tae’s side.”
After all, I was Kim Seong-jae’s successor at Ahsung, so it would be strange if I didn’t know.
“If you dig into Ahsung’s affiliate advertising agency, ‘Ace PR,’ you’ll find records of how much Kim Seong-jae gave to whom.”
“Understood. Once I take office, I’ll give those instructions first. And…”
Baek Moo-jin looked at me as if he had more to say.
“How about you directly participate in the transition committee that will be formed this time?”