1979, Manager Kim is Inheriting Dictatorship! - Chapter 66



Only Krnovel

Episode 66

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The 1992 Seoul Olympics were now nearing their end.

The only event left is the marathon.

With only one marathon left, Korea had 24 gold, 20 silver, and 21 bronze medals, ranking it fourth behind the United States, Russia, and Germany.

Korea won medals in a variety of sports, including shooting, archery, table tennis, wrestling, weightlifting and women’s soccer.

The growing population and expanded player pool played a decisive role in achieving such good results.

As the pace of economic development accelerated to a surprising degree, support for sports also increased significantly.

And, just like in the South, the existing sports in the North were focused on elite sports, so the skills and talent of the players were beyond imagination.

Another advantage that could not be overlooked was the home ground of the country where the match was held.

The fact that there was relatively little travel fatigue and that the players were in good condition during the match ultimately led to good results.

The people now felt tremendous pride in the fact that Korean sports were not inferior to those of other powerful countries.

And finally, the marathon, the crown jewel of the Olympics, was about to start.

“The Seoul Olympics are finally down to the last event, the marathon. South Korea currently sits in 4th place, its highest ever, with 24 gold medals, 20 silver medals, and 21 bronze medals.”

The commentator next to him adds a word to what the caster says.

“That’s right. The Korean athletes. They’ve done really great. But if they win the gold medal in this marathon, Korea will overtake Germany and take third place in the overall rankings.”

“Yes. However, this sport called track and field is not always easy for Asians. However, our Korean athlete Song Ki-jeong has a history of winning a gold medal in the past, right? I hope that athlete Hwang Young-joo, who is competing today, can create a miracle like that.”

In fact, even though they said they were looking forward to it, everyone thought it would be difficult to win a medal in the marathon.

This was because it was a time when winning a medal in the Olympics, let alone the Asian Games, and especially in track and field, was starting to be considered virtually impossible for Asians.

That’s why there was originally relatively little promotion and it was planned to be broadcast by only one broadcasting station.

But knowing this outcome, I wanted to share this touching scene with all the people of South Korea.

“Please allow this marathon to be broadcast on all public networks. And please allow civil servants, except essential civil servants, to watch the marathon. Please allow schools to watch it as well.”

The chief secretary asks in a somewhat puzzled voice.

“Are you talking about the marathon broadcast? But the chances of Korea winning a medal in the marathon are slim.”

“Don’t worry, Hwang Young-joo. He’s a player I’m really looking forward to this time. He’ll definitely do something.”

Although broadcasters and government officials were somewhat dissatisfied with the fact that they were broadcasting and watching a match that was not even a medal match, many people were able to watch the marathon thanks to this.

Hwang Young-joo, who was somewhat behind at first, started to take the lead from the middle and soon took an overwhelming lead.

And this news spread throughout the country in an instant.

“Hey, boss. I heard that our country is currently in first place in the marathon···.”

“That’s it! Get to work quickly!”

The manager speaks again despite the manager’s scolding.

“Boss, can’t I just focus on the marathon and do my work?”

“Hey! Manager Lee” mentality..”

Then suddenly the office door opens and the managing director comes in.

The manager is taken aback by the sudden visit from the managing director and asks.

“Director Choi, what brings you here all of a sudden···”

“What are you doing, Manager Yoo! I haven’t heard from you! Turn on the TV quickly!”

“yes···?”

“I told you to turn on the TV! Our country is running in first place in the marathon!”

“Ah, yes···!”

Manager Yoo panics and looks for the TV remote control to turn it on.

On the TV broadcast screen, Korean athlete Hwang Young-joo was really running in first place.

And after a while, Hwang Young-joo finally came into the stadium, leading the way.

The anchor shouts in an excited voice.

“Ah!! Hwang Young-joo!!! Hwang Young-joo is the first to enter the stadium. South Korea’s Hwang Young-joo is the first to enter!!! Ah! Goal!!! 2 hours, 11 minutes, 52 seconds!! A new Olympic record, gold medal!!!”

The moment Hwang Young-joo finally crossed the finish line, Korea simultaneously cheered.

And at that moment, Song Ki-jung’s tears captured on TV cameras brought tears to the eyes of the entire world.

With this, Korea successfully concluded the 1992 Seoul Olympics by setting a record of third place, beating out unified Germany.

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Hosting a successful Olympics wasn’t just about rankings.

Hosting the Olympics also had a significant impact on Korea’s tourism industry.

“Wow, this is awesome!”

Foreign hikers are amazed by the spectacular view before their eyes.

Until now, Korea didn’t have things like K-POP.

Most of the tourists who visit Korea have the purpose of seeing the natural scenery.

And in their eyes, Korea’s natural scenery was quite spectacular.

“This is my first time on a mountain like this…”

“Yeah, I heard before that it was a mess because of the idolization work, but I guess that’s not the case anymore.”

“That’s right. Man, this is the first time in my life that I’ve climbed a mountain this high.”

The mountain that hikers admire is none other than Geumgangsan.

It was a mountain that was called one of the representative mountains of the Korean Peninsula along with Baekdu Mountain and Hallasan Mountain.

[When God created the world, he probably spent one day making Mt. Geumgang.]

This was what the Crown Prince of Sweden said when he visited Geumgangsan during the Japanese colonial period.

There are many famous mountains on the Korean peninsula, but when it comes to scenery, none can compare to Geumgangsan.

Even during the Joseon Dynasty, or even before that, Mt. Geumgang had a great influence on the Korean Peninsula’s literature, fine art, music, and other arts.

Geumgangsan was such a great mountain that not only Korean celebrities but also Chinese and Japanese celebrities frequently praised it.

But North Korea’s Kim family has ruined the world’s most famous mountain for their own idolization.

It took a lot of money and manpower just to get it back to its original state.

At first, the prevailing public opinion was whether it was really necessary to spend so much money on a single mountain.

But after seeing the finished Geumgangsan Mountain, not a single person said that it was a waste of money.

“It really is the end.”

“It is truly a world-famous mountain.”

“I’m starting to hate myself for saying that I wasted money···.”

Although it was designated as a national park and admission fees were charged to prevent too many tourists from flocking there and making it a mess, Geumgangsan became a must-see tourist attraction in Korea, with a huge number of people, both Korean and foreign, flocking there.

Especially with the Olympics, a huge number of foreigners visited Geumgangsan and were fascinated by its appearance, opening a new chapter in Korean tourism unlike any in previous history.

“Shall we come again next time?”

“Yeah. Since the prices are all posted on the door of the stores, it’s less of a burden and I definitely get paid properly, so I don’t feel bad.”

In particular, Korea has established a surveillance system, giving foreigners the impression that Korea is a country they want to return to.

It was a different Korea from its previous history as a tourist destination that people did not want to visit again, even though it had hit the jackpot with cultural industries like K-POP.

[Seoul Olympics. The best Olympics ever. Korea showed the world that it is no longer a developing country but has joined the ranks of developed countries.]

[The image of a unified Korea has made citizens around the world feel that we are now moving from the Cold War era to an era of peace.]

[Korea’s Geumgangsan has become a hot topic after being selected by CNN as the world’s best mountain.]

[Korea has become a pleasant tourist destination that people want to visit again, rather than a tourist destination that is unpleasant to travel to due to the price of the scout system.]

With this, Korea successfully showcased a unified Korea at the opening ceremony, showed its best performance ever during the Olympics, and showed the world that Korea is now valuable as a tourist destination.

The Seoul Olympics received worldwide acclaim as the best Olympics, especially in contrast to the relatively poor performance of the previous Nagoya Olympics.

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“How are you all doing now that you have retired from politics?”

After the Olympics, I invited the 3 Kims and Choi Hyun to a drinking party with us.

“Well, it feels great. There’s nothing to worry about, and I can travel around here and there comfortably. If I hadn’t been chosen by the people this much, it would be right for me to retire as a politician.”

YS now speaks while drinking alcohol in a completely detached manner.

“Me too. Rather, I don’t have to live like I used to, worrying about what other people think, and that’s nice.”

TJ also shows a different side of himself than he did as a politician.

“Hahaha. Is that so? But I wish you had worked a little harder to develop Korean politics.”

Yang Kim glares at me as if he’s going to fire lasers from his eyes at me.

“Wow, who are you kidding? President Kim, you’re here, so what’s the point of doing more politics here? It wouldn’t matter if we didn’t hold an election or something, but if we did, we’d be completely defeated, so there’s no justification for it!”

“That’s right. The day we return is the day President Kim retires.”

In the 1989 general election, the Gongmin Party led by Yang Kim was once again defeated by the Korean Party by an overwhelming margin.

After two defeats in the presidential election and three defeats in the general election, public opinion began to boil over even within the Komeito Party, calling for a generational change, and eventually three politicians, including Yang Kim and JP, chose to retire from politics.

In this way, four politicians who influenced the era, including CEO Choi Hyun, left politics.

At that moment, CEO Choi Hyeon, who was quietly eating food, looked at Yang Kim and asked.

“But then who will lead the Gongmyeong Party now?”

“Well, I guess they’ll figure it out now. I’ve even turned down all the advisory positions. Now I want to live my life completely unconcerned with politics.”

YS now shakes his head as if he is tired of politics.

“Yes. Now, I enjoy being at home with my grandchildren more than politics. Haha.”

JP also adds a word.

He seemed to have softened considerably, unlike his previous image as a political figure, which was quite fierce and combative.

As the drinking party got more and more heated, TJ asked in a slightly drunken voice.

“Now that I have retired from politics, tell me honestly, President Kim. Don’t you have an incredibly talented shaman attached to you?”

I was a little embarrassed, but I tried not to show it and answered.

“Haha. A shaman? What do you mean?”

“If not, how can you always do politics as if you are looking into some kind of future?”

“Ahem.. ugh..”

Suddenly, the alcohol in my mouth came flying out at the mention of the word future.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I have phlegm…”

Then YS comes out and stops TJ.

“Hugwang, you must have had a bit too much to drink. Stop talking nonsense and get up.”

YS grabs TJ and raises him up.

It was a new feeling to see people who had been enemies in the past and only reconciled when they were on the verge of death now living as drinking buddies.

TJ stands up and says with a smile.

“Hahaha. I’m sorry, President Kim. I’m saying this because I feel sorry for you. If it weren’t for you, I would have dreamed big once, but now, honestly, I’m not confident that I can do better than you.”

He has a bitter expression on his face.

CEO Choi Hyeon also slowly wakes up.

Then he puts on his shoes and asks JP.

“By the way, the presidential election is coming up soon. Who is running for the Gongmin Party?”

JP also answers while putting on his shoes.

“Well, actually, these two, who were the most likely candidates, have retired, so there are no candidates. Well, wouldn’t someone do it? Now, I’m too busy watching my grandchildren’s talents.”

“But is it okay for a political party not to nominate a presidential candidate?”

“Haha. That’s right.”

Despite CEO Choi Hyun’s words, JP just laughed.

There was a reason there were no characters.

This is because, in fact, presidents throughout history have not entered politics.

One was living his life as a businessman, and the other two were living their lives as lawyers.

Lee Hye-jeong was advised several times to enter politics, but in reality, the afterglow of President Lee Jung-hwan had almost completely disappeared, so even if she entered politics, there would not be a big sensation, so she gave up on it.

President Lee Jung-hwan’s halo had virtually disappeared from the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions.

Even if President Lee Jung-hwan were to come back alive and run for office in Daegu and Gyeongbuk right now, I no longer feel like I would lose.

If you think about it, considering that their lives after becoming president have not been that happy, it seems like living as an ordinary person rather than as president might be a happier life for them.

“Oh, by the way, there’s talk about that person leaving.”

JP says something as if he just remembered something before opening the sliding door.

CEO Choi Hyun urges JP with a curious expression.

“Who is that? Don’t hesitate, speak quickly.”

“The name is definitely···.”