Republic of Korea in Yeokcheon - Chapter 242



Only Krnovel

#242. Show me that I’m still alive?

Why do people get involved in politics?

Well, what is your goal when you start politics?

president?

The position of President is one that only one person can attain once every few years, so no matter how many people enter politics with great dreams, it is still too far for most people.

Whether it is through one’s own hard work or a combination of good fortune, the position of president is one that is chosen by heaven.

It’s far, but it’s too far.

So what is the most realistic position?

Naturally, it is the highest position a member of the National Assembly can rise to.

Of course, if the local autonomy system is implemented, there will be positions from basic council members to metropolitan council members, and from basic autonomous body heads to metropolitan autonomous body heads, but the current government’s keynote is not very favorable to the local autonomy system.

I remember that the local autonomy system in modern times was in such a mess, and in particular, the perception of basic and regional councils was almost at the level of a cesspool.

Because there was so little public interest, local government council member elections were something where people voted for candidates one after another just by looking at their party affiliations, without even knowing who they were.

This is why it was so common for people who were half-punks to line up and get elected, running things like neighborhood construction companies or fake media outlets. These scoundrels were acting like assemblymen and swindling away taxpayers’ money, so they could not have a good reputation.

They often go abroad with taxpayers’ money, drink alcohol, and commit sexual assault.

This was the reality of the local government councils and members of the National Assembly of Korea until 2027, when the expedition team arrived, and the perception of the general public.

Despite the fact that it has been over 35 years since the local autonomy system was implemented in 1991.

So, just like the original constitution, it was stipulated that the local autonomy system would be implemented, but the timing of implementation was said to be when the president deemed it appropriate, so even the daughter-in-law did not know when it would be implemented.

Given these circumstances, the realistic goal that the members of the Liberal Democratic Party who entered politics with dreams of great success could dream of was naturally to become a member of the National Assembly, that is, a member of the House of Representatives, so the desire to run for the House of Representatives elections was truly burning.

“Is this democracy? There is no representative representing the people’s will. Is our country really a democracy?”

“That’s right! Even though there is a Senate, it’s an appointed position! It’s an honorary position with little power!”

“That’s right! We must pressure the government to hold House of Representatives elections as soon as possible!”

“That’s right! The president is the president, and the congressmen are congressmen! Damn it, when are we going to wait for the 10 years they promised?”

“Even if it’s the 10 years the government said, it’s already been 7 years. If that’s the case, then we need to start moving now.”

The Liberal Democratic Party members attending the meeting shouted in one voice that they should demand early holding of the House of Representatives election.

Then Song Jin-woo opened his mouth with a smile.

“Comrades, you are right. It is absurd that in a so-called liberal democratic republic there are no directly elected members of parliament.”

“you’re right!”

“Besides, as one comrade said, the ten-year deadline they promised is approaching. Seven years have already passed. Now is the time to start preparing.”

“How long are we going to wait until then? We need to pressure the government to implement it, even if it’s next year.”

“Next year is too early.”

“yes?”

Jang Deok-su responded to the suggestion that the government should be pressured to implement it next year. Jang Deok-su is one of the few foreign political science PhDs in Korea.

His remarks had special weight because he was a doctor of political science from the prestigious Columbia University in the United States.

“Master Seolsan, why is it so early?”

“It’s not like the parliamentary elections can be done so quickly. This is especially true when the year is almost over. Even if the government accepts our request and accepts early elections for the House of Representatives, it will be possible only in the spring of the year after next at the earliest. And that would be a very hasty process.”

“No, isn’t it just a matter of nominating a candidate, setting up polling stations across the country, and catching me and voting for me?”

“… … .”

Jang Deok-su had to hold back a sigh.

It is a place where people who have learned and have some ideas within the Liberal Democratic Party gather.

But do you think that the National Assembly elections are like electing a village head?

What made him even sadder was that most of the other people seemed to agree with what he said.

Still, there was nothing I could do.

Since they have only experienced one election, the presidential election, they have no choice but to understand.

“Ah! Don’t you remember the last presidential election? Did the process seem that easy?”

“Well, it was a bit complicated, but I don’t think it was something that couldn’t be done within a year?”

“You seem to be misunderstanding that the last presidential election was actually a contest between our Mr. Woo Nam and President Lee Kang-cheol, but elections are not usually conducted that quickly. This time, we have to go through the process of selecting candidates for the 300-member constituency. Does that seem easy? Moreover, it is the first election for the lower house in the history of the Constitutional Government of the Republic of Korea?”

“Is that so?”

“Trust me. Even if the government accepts our request for early elections right now, it will be the spring of the year after next at the earliest.”

“Okay, then, are we going to convey our demands to the government anyway?”

“Inchon Seonsaeng will answer that question for you.”

“Haha! Our party comrades are of the same mind, so how can we remain silent? I will convey our demands to the Senate leadership.”

“No, you said you were asking the government?”

“Huh! That’s the order of things. You ask the Senate leadership, and they ask the government.”

“All right.”

The Liberal Democratic Party’s party line was decided, and as the meeting was ending, Park Heon-yeong approached Inchon and spoke to him.

“Mr. Inchon.”

“Oh, Mr. Park. Do you have anything to say?”

“Yes, it’s nothing else… … .”

“Please speak comfortably.”

“About today’s meeting. Did you speak to Professor Woonam before proceeding with it?”

“No. I plan to come see you after the meeting and tell you.”

“hmm…….”

“Why are you like that, Mr. Park?”

“I can guess that Mr. Inchon wants to hold the meeting at our company as much as possible.”

“… … .”

Park Heon-yeong was a very intelligent person.

He was a very good student from a young age, and even as an adult, he was a very capable person who became a big shot in the North Korean Communist Party at a relatively young age.

So, it is impossible for him not to know Inchon’s intention to avoid the funeral meeting as much as possible.

“I think Mr. Inchon’s intentions are right.”

“But?”

“However, I think it is too early to pass over Mr. Woo Nam. In any case, Mr. Woo Nam is the face of our party. If we think about the future of the party, I am saying that he is necessary at least for the time being.”

“Hmm, thank you for your advice.”

“Okay, let’s go.”

As Park Heon-yeong left, Jang Deok-su, who was next to him, opened his mouth.

“As expected, Park Heon-yeong is amazing. Even if there were a hundred country bumpkins, they wouldn’t be able to beat him.”

“A person is a person.”

“Anyway, Park Heon-young’s words make sense. At least until the next presidential election, Mr. Woo Nam should be the figurehead, so I don’t think it’s good to appear to be ignoring him like this.”

“Who doesn’t know that? It’s just not good to keep having meetings at the funeral home. Doesn’t it look too much like Mr. Woo Nam’s shrine?”

“That’s true.”

“Besides, now that you’re older, it seems like you find it a bit burdensome to attend meetings every time.”

“Anyway, you’d better be careful.”

“Okay.”

Then, Inchon’s secretary came in and told him that there was a call from the funeral home looking for Song Jin-woo.

“At the crematorium? Who is at the crematorium?”

“This is Secretary Lee Ki-poong on the phone.”

“Oh my god! Is the call already connected?”

“No. He just said that it was Mr. Woo-nam’s order, and that all three of you should come into the crematorium immediately.”

“… … .”

“… … .”

It seemed like it had already been leaked.

“Come in.”

“I see.”

If Unam calls, of course you have to go.

And after a while, the crematorium.

“Hey, you guys! You dare to leave me behind and secretly plot such an important matter!”

“No, sir, it’s a misunderstanding. What do you mean by conspiracy?”

“Oh my! I know everything. What nonsense are you talking about! Didn’t we just get together at the party and decide on such an important matter as holding an early general election?”

“It’s not a decision, we just gather opinions first and then report to the teacher… … .”

“Shut up! I know the decision has been made, so where are you lying!”

“… … .”

“… … .”

“… … .”

The three people glanced at Lee Ki-poong, who was smiling next to them.

That’s it.

The guy who told everything to Unam.

And it was clear that among the people gathered earlier, there was a member of Lee Ki-poong’s group.

Anyway, I had to calm down Woonam somehow.

No matter what anyone says, the leader and the signboard was Woonam.

At least for now.

And in times like these, just lying flat was the norm.

“Teacher, we made a mistake. Let’s just hold on… … .”

“Huh! You see me as an old man in the back room, but show me that you’re still alive?”

“Ahh! That’s not it… … .”

“… … .”

It was so damn hard to do politics.

In the end, after three people begged each other, they succeeded in changing Woonam’s mind, and he decided to go ahead with his request for an early general election.

Three people came out of the crematorium, looking like kimchi.

“Ugh! Lee Ki-poong, just kill that little rat!”

“Stop it, Seol-san. It was our carelessness.”

“Let’s go. Have a drink.”

That day, the three of them drank until their noses were crooked.

And the request from the Liberal Democratic Party was directly delivered to the Senate leadership by Song Jin-woo, and the Senate also said that it was not bad and that they would inform the government.

November 25, 1954.

The Blue House.

“I came to see you in the Senate.”

“In the Senate? What’s going on?”

Lee Kang-cheol asked with a puzzled expression about Prime Minister Kim Ho-jin’s report.

“It is said that the Liberal Democratic Party has proposed holding early elections for the House of Representatives.”

“Oh, really? Well, they’ve been patient for a long time. So? What do they say in the Senate?”

“I think it wouldn’t be a bad idea for the Senate to do it a little early. Of course, they’ll ultimately respect our decision.”

“hmm…….”

Lee Kang-cheol thought for a moment and then asked Kim Ho-jin again.

“What do you think, Prime Minister?”

“I don’t think it’s bad either. Not only the Liberal Democratic Party, but also public opinion has been talking about the election more frequently. Also, our Republican Party seems to be somewhat prepared now, so it would be okay to hold it a little early.”

“Well, what do you think, Mr. Usagi?”

“I think it’s okay. It didn’t look good externally either. Besides, even if we start preparing now, it will probably be held in the spring of the year after next at the earliest, which would only bring it forward by a little over a year from what we had expected.”

“Whew! Time has passed so quickly?”

“Hahaha! Time really flies.”

Time really flies.

It seems like only yesterday that I came down to the expeditionary force.

“Okay, I understand. Then I will do that.”

“When would be a good time to hold the election?”

“If we prepare, nominate, and do all that, wouldn’t it be possible by the spring of the year after next? I’ll let them know that physically, that’s the fastest way.”

“Okay. Then we will discuss it with the Republican Party and the Central Election Commission and decide on a suitable date.”

“Yes, please do so.”

“And is the electoral district limited to the Korean Peninsula?”

“Yes, the electoral district is only the Korean Peninsula. Manchuria and Hokkaido are next or the next, and Siberia and Haenam are a long way behind. The Liberal Democratic Party won’t tackle that either, right?”

“Hahaha! Of course.”

“Then let’s decide that. Let’s vote on it at the next State Council meeting.”

“All right.”

Ultimately, it was decided to hold a general election in March 1956, the year after next.

Now is the time for a general election.