1979, Manager Kim is Inheriting Dictatorship! - Chapter 65



Only Krnovel

Episode 65

“Oh, just now, someone is coming into the stadium carrying the torch.”

The face of the runner holding the torch is captured in the camera.

“Ah! Song Ki-jung! It’s Committee Member Song Ki-jung! South Korea’s proud Olympic marathon gold medalist and Olympic Committee Member Song Ki-jung is entering the stadium carrying the torch.”

When Commissioner Song Ki-jung is caught on camera, people get excited.

It was a natural reaction, as he was a symbolic figure in the Korean sports world.

“But it’s a bit unexpected. I thought that Commissioner Song Ki-jung would be the last runner or the starting runner.”

“Hmm. That’s definitely true. Then who will be the person that Commissioner Song Ki-jung will be handing the torch to?”

People’s attention is focused.

And the camera captures the last runner to run around the field before receiving the torch.

“Ah! This athlete is Hwang Young-ju! This is the promising athlete of the upcoming South Korean marathon, Hwang Young-ju!”

The person who received the torch from Commissioner Song Ki-jeong was none other than Hwang Young-ju, a marathon runner who is still somewhat of an unknown.

“Commissioner Song Ki-jeong is passing the torch to athlete Hwang Young-joo! Commissioner Song Ki-jeong, the gold medalist of the Korean marathon, is passing the torch to athlete Hwang Young-joo, the future of the Korean marathon!”

“This scene is really meaningful. It’s as if Commissioner Song Ki-jung is telling his junior that it’s his turn now.”

“Yes. I hope that Hwang Young-joo can fulfill the wishes of Commissioner Song Ki-jung and the people at this Olympics.”

Now, Hwang Young-joo runs down the field for the last time to pass the torch to the final torchbearer.

Everyone watches nervously to see who will be the last runner.

“Who will be the last torch bearer to light the Seoul Olympic torch relay?”

The lights go out for a moment and someone receives the holy fire that Hwang Yeong-ju has brought.

“Oh, it’s dark so I can’t see the people who received the Holy Fire.”

“He seems a little short, but who could he be?”

And after a while the lights come on.

The people who appeared in the place where the lights were on were none other than a young boy and a girl who appeared to be elementary school students.

The anchor is momentarily taken aback by the first sight of his face, but soon begins to speak in a slightly choked voice after reading the commentary given to him.

“Citizens, can you see? The two children who are now lighting the torch are said to be born in December 1983 in Nampo and Incheon, respectively.”

“Really? Those kids are the so-called unification generation. From now on, those kids will live not as members of the South or the North, but as members of the Republic of Korea.”

“Yes, it is exactly as you said. And now, people all over the world are watching it live!”

Many people have been mentioned as potential torchbearers.

Several people were mentioned, but they all had the same wish.

Showing the world a unified Korea.

And after many discussions, the result that came out was that children born in the North and the South at the time of unification should be ignited at the same time.

A boy born in December 1983 in an ordinary northern region and a girl born in Incheon were chosen as the final ignition candidates.

Once the runners were decided, there was only one thing I asked of the kids.

He just wanted to show me how I am.

A happy child.

I wanted to show the world what it would be like for children to live happily in a unified Korea.

The children laughed happily, wondering what was so funny, and began to climb up to the place where the Holy Fire Chae Hwa Kyung was.

“Oh, both kids are going up with such happy smiles!”

And a little while later, the two children light the prepared torches.

A splendid and intense flame burns fiercely.

“The Seoul Olympics have been lit! Now, those flames will shine brilliantly until the closing ceremony of the Seoul Olympics! Just like those flames, I hope that the Republic of Korea will also achieve brilliant results in this Olympics!”

Now the closing performance begins.

The flame continued to burn brightly with no sign of going out.

The chief secretary asks while looking at the burning torch.

“Mr. President, don’t you feel sorry? In public opinion polls, wasn’t there a significant number of people who wanted you to be the last person to light the torch?”

When asked who they would like to light the Olympic flame, more than 50 percent of the people chose the president.

However, I declined because there was no precedent for a president to run as an Olympic torchbearer and I thought it would be better to have someone who could inspire more people than me.

“No. What good does it do for an ordinary old man like me to light the Olympic torch? Those children, the future of the Republic of Korea, would have touched the hearts of the people more than I.”

“Just an ordinary old man. The president underestimates himself too much. The president is already a star not only in Korea but also worldwide.”

“Hahaha. Is that so? That’s nice to hear from a world-class star. Hahahaha.”

It was the moment when the month-long festival began.

###

“10m rifle shooting. Last up is South Korea’s Choi A-reum. She’s in the ready position. If she shoots 10.3 or higher here, Choi A-reum will take home the gold medal. It’s a tense moment.”

Choi A-reum takes a deep breath for a moment.

A player who is still a student.

Before the Olympics started, there was only one person who expected her to win a medal.

***

“Ah! Choi A-reum! Nice to meet you. Let’s shake hands!”

Arum is flustered by the president’s sudden request to shake hands.

In the first place, she couldn’t believe that the President knew her name.

“Mr. President. What should I do with me…”

President Kim Jong-guk made a surprise appearance at the Olympic team’s decision-making ceremony a month ago.

A-reum had no interest in politics, but his face was familiar to her because both her father and mother were ardent supporters of President Kim Jong-guk.

I didn’t know much about politics, but I knew one thing: the current president was an incredible person.

But she, a high school student who only played sports, had little interest in the current president.

Choi A-reum.

This was her first Olympics.

She was a high school student who was not yet an adult.

Fortunately or unfortunately, few people expected an Olympic medal from a high school student like her.

His coach and parents both said that he should just use this Olympics as a good experience and aim for a medal at the next Olympics.

But President Kim Jong-guk was different.

“Haha, how could I not know? Of course I would remember a player who has shown his talent at such a young age! And I have always been interested in shooting.”

“Yes, it is an honor, Mr. President.”

A-reum looks embarrassed as she shakes hands.

President Kim Jong-guk’s attitude was not arrogant despite being the president, but he treated her in a friendly manner as if he were a neighborhood uncle.

“Don’t be too nervous, Areum! As a fan, I’m always rooting for you. I think Areum Choi will make a surprise this time. The efforts Areum Choi has made will never betray Areum Choi!”

“Thank you. But Mr. President… I don’t have the skills to win a medal yet…”

“Don’t worry. From what I’ve seen, I think A-reum will do something big this time. And even if she doesn’t win a medal, so what? If she does her best and competes fairly, that will be enough to impress the people. Don’t feel too burdened and do your best!”

President Kim Jung-guk’s words to Ara, who is different from coaches who are only interested in results, to simply do her best and play fairly, were a refreshing shock to her.

“Thank you, Mr. President. I will do my best!”

“Fighting!”

***

If you score 9 or more, you get a bronze medal.

10 points or more is a silver medal.

If you shoot 10.3 points or higher, you get a gold medal.

Up to 9 points is the realm of basic skills, but anything above that depends on the condition and skill level of the day.

And her condition was excellent today.

‘Okay. Don’t worry···.’

Her finger pulls the trigger.

bang!

“Choi A-reum! Shot! Hit the center! The score is···”

The machine takes a moment to judge how many points there are.

And after a while, the score is displayed on the scoreboard.

“10.9!!! 10.9!!! Perfect score!! Gold medal!! Gold medal!!!

As soon as she sees the numbers on the scoreboard, she collapses on the spot.

Because I never thought I would actually win the gold medal.

Suddenly, the strength leaves my legs and I recall all the hardships I’ve endured so far.

“Ah!! It’s a gold medal for South Korea!! In shooting, Choi A-reum wins the gold medal for South Korea on day one!!”

“Choi A-reum is still a high school student, but she’s really amazing!!”

The Seoul Olympics, which started off with great fanfare, brought golden news from the first day.

###

“Are you okay, Mr. President?”

It was only when the State Councilor asked if I was okay that I came to my senses.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Where did I end up?”

But I wasn’t the only one who couldn’t come to my senses.

It seems like all of the cabinet members, including me, are having trouble concentrating on the meeting.

I struggle to come to my senses and continue with the meeting.

“Oh, the next agenda item is about the recent decrease in fraud crimes···.”

But the Prime Minister next to him is blankly staring at the sky.

I looked at him and called his name.

“Prime Minister···? Prime Minister Lee Hwa-seong···!”

Only then did the Prime Minister come to his senses and bow his head to me, apologizing.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Mr. President···.”

I sighed and said to the ministers.

“Haa.. Is that why everyone is like that···?”

Everyone thinks the same, but they are careful with their words.

The table tennis doubles finals are currently in progress.

It was a showdown between Korea and China.

The match drew even more attention from Korea because of its symbolic nature, with players from Pyongyang and Seoul playing doubles.

In particular, Prime Minister Lee Hwa-sung was known to enjoy table tennis, so he couldn’t help but be curious about the match.

“Whew… If we keep going like this, we won’t be able to have a proper meeting. The game is still going on, so how about we report on our game?”

I said that with my eyes closed.

But when I opened my eyes, the ministers had already disappeared from my sight.

They were already gathered in the next room where the TV was and were watching the game.

“Mr. President! Come quickly! We are winning!”

And at the very front of that TV was Prime Minister Lee Hwa-sung.

“Haha… I’m going. I’m going….”

When I went in front of the TV, the game was just reaching its climax.

Korea would have won the gold medal if it won just one more set.

“If we can win just one more set, Korea will win the gold medal in table tennis doubles!”

The battle between them is so fierce.

China’s attacks were fierce, but Korea’s were also formidable.

After about 10 minutes of battle, the end of the match finally appears.

“Last set point. Korea’s serve···.”

Pyongyang native Ri Hyochang serves.

It was a pretty strong serve, but the Chinese player somehow managed to get the serve back.

But Seoul native Seo Mi-hyo again receives the ball from the Chinese player.

And that ball finally sank China.

“Ah!!! Set finished! Korea wins!! Korea wins the gold medal again!!!”

The Blue House also became so noisy that the anchor’s incredibly loud voice could not be heard.

“and!!!”

Prime Minister Lee Hwa-seong was particularly excited.

Today I first found out that this usually reserved man has this side to him.

I speak to the cabinet members, whose excitement has not yet subsided.

“Haha. Our players are really great. It was great to see you. Now let’s go back to the State Council. There are still many agenda items to be dealt with today.”

Then the ministers look at me and say:

“Well, Mr. President, how about reporting on the gold medal award ceremony? Isn’t that also something that you should do as a State Council member?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Their eyes were bright and sparkling like those of children.

“Ahahaha… I understand. Then I will definitely do it after watching the medal ceremony.”

“yes!!”

Although they were all already middle-aged, they looked like young people.

And this is not something that only applies to members of the State Council.