News broke that Korea, Japan, and Chevron were holding talks in Japan regarding the development of Seven-Gwanggu.
Thanks to the nonstop buzz surrounding the discovery of oil at Seven-Gwanggu, the internal conflict within the Centrist Party received relatively less attention.
Not that people had lost interest completely. It was still a scorching political issue.
[Centrist Party resolves conflict between Floor Leader Lee Myungsoo and Secretary-General Jang Seokhyeon over nomination committee composition through mediation by party leader.]
The ruling Centrist Party announced that the recent conflict between Floor Leader Lee Myungsoo and Secretary-General Jang Seokhyeon regarding the composition of the nomination committee had been resolved through mediation by the party leader.
With this, the party created an opportunity to overcome its internal strife and regain stability.
For the past several weeks, tension had hung heavily within the Centrist Party. The disagreement between Floor Leader Lee Myungsoo and Secretary-General Jang Seokhyeon over the composition of the nomination committee had divided opinions throughout the party.
Floor Leader Lee Myungsoo maintained that the committee should include more reform-minded and fresh figures, while Secretary-General Jang Seokhyeon argued that it should be centered around experienced individuals who deeply understood the party’s traditional values.
In this situation, the party leader personally stepped in to mediate the differences between both sides and prepared a nomination committee structure acceptable to everyone involved.
“The future of the party and the interests of the people were our highest priorities, and we aimed to create a nomination committee capable of reflecting diverse voices,” the party leader explained regarding the mediation process.
Through this latest appointment process, the Centrist Party unveiled a nomination committee made up of figures possessing both experience and freshness.
Within the party, many expected this appointment to greatly strengthen the Centrist Party’s competitiveness in the upcoming election and help select candidates capable of responding to the diverse demands of the public.
Having overcome internal conflict through the party leader’s active mediation, the Centrist Party was now preparing to stand before the public once again in a united and stable form.
Political circles and the public alike were now closely watching what kind of changes the Centrist Party would show through this nomination committee appointment and what results it would achieve in the coming election.
I read the related article printed on page two of Koryeo Daily.
It hadn’t been resolved perfectly, but it looked like they had reached some kind of compromise.
“Still, that’s a relief.”
The party leader hadn’t actually stepped in to solve things personally, but the fact that it was being reported that way would benefit Myungsoo as well.
As I continued reading the newspaper, my gaze suddenly stopped at the list of nomination committee members.
[Centrist Party announces nomination committee appointments.]
Ahead of the upcoming election, the ruling Centrist Party announced the formation of a new nomination committee.
Professor Kim Hyunsik, a former Korea National University law professor who had once mentored Floor Leader Lee Myungsoo during his university years, was appointed chairman of the nomination committee. The committee, composed of nine additional members, was expected to determine the future direction of the party.
Chairman Kim Hyunsik was known as a figure possessing profound academic knowledge in the field of law as well as extensive practical experience.
He and Floor Leader Lee Myungsoo first met as professor and student at Korea National University Law School and had maintained a mentor-and-mentee relationship for many years.
Chairman Kim Hyunsik stated, “I will lead the Centrist Party’s nomination process fairly and transparently to increase the party’s credibility and bring it closer to the people.”
The remaining committee members consisted of experts from various fields and figures representing different sectors of society. Specifically...
The words after that no longer entered my eyes.
I couldn’t take my gaze off Kim Hyunsik’s photograph.
‘Professor Kim Hyunsik became the nomination committee chairman?’
Professor Kim Hyunsik was a respected professor. I respected him as well.
He certainly was the right person to oversee nominations according to principles and rules.
But he wasn’t the kind of puppet who would carry out everything Lee Myungsoo wanted.
I pressed the button beside me and called for Manager Ma.
“You called for me?”
“Manager. Contact Professor Kim Hyunsik. No, Chairman Kim Hyunsik of the nomination committee. Tell him I’d like to pay him a visit sometime. Let me know once the schedule is arranged.”
“Understood.”
After giving Manager Ma the instruction, I began reading the newspaper again.
But not a single word entered my head.
In the end, I folded the newspaper shut and stood up before walking toward the window.
A few days later.
I visited Professor Kim Hyunsik’s home.
He lived in an old, worn-down apartment that was hard to believe belonged to someone who had spent decades as a professor.
The moment I got out of the car, I headed straight inside the apartment building.
Kim Hyunsik lived on the fifth floor of an old building without an elevator.
When I rang the bell, the door opened. An elderly woman with white hair answered.
“Hello, ma’am.”
“Who...? Ah, Kim Muhyuk!”
It seemed she remembered my face as well because she immediately called out my name.
“It’s been a long time. Have you been well?”
I slightly bowed my head politely.
“Of course. Is it alright if I call you Kim Muhyuk?”
“Of course. Please feel comfortable.”
She nodded, then her gaze shifted toward Manager Ma standing behind me.
His imposing appearance seemed to put her on guard.
“Manager. Please wait outside.”
“Yes. Understood.”
Leaving Manager Ma outside, I stepped into the apartment.
Professor Kim Hyunsik had been looking over some documents.
“Honey. We have a guest.”
Kim Hyunsik lowered the papers he had been reading, removed his glasses, and looked at me.
“Kim Muhyuk! It’s been a long time.”
“Yes, Professor. It’s been too long.”
“Professor? I quit last year.”
“Really? I apologize. I failed to keep up.”
“That’s fine. Come inside first.”
With a simple smile, Kim Hyunsik led me into his study.
The study was smaller than I expected. However, the bookshelves were packed with all kinds of books.
It felt like stepping into a well-maintained used bookstore that had been carefully tended for many years.
We sat facing each other at a round table. Because the study itself was so small, it felt tightly packed.
His wife placed some simple fruit and drinks on the table before leaving and quietly shutting the door behind her.
I looked at the dark barley tea placed before Kim Hyunsik and smiled.
“You haven’t changed.”
“At my age, they say if a person suddenly changes, it means death is near.”
Kim Hyunsik said that after taking a sip of barley tea.
“I’ve been hearing news about you from all over the place, Muhyuk.”
“Is that so?”
“Even though I know you’re doing well, I still regret something from time to time. You giving up the bar exam back then.”
“At the time, I only needed the title of someone who passed the first stage of the bar exam. It was merely one step toward the path I actually wanted.”
Suddenly, memories of my university days surfaced.
When Kim Hyunsik learned that I wasn’t planning to take the full bar exam, he repeatedly called me in under the excuse of faculty counseling and tried to persuade me.
And every single time, he placed a cup of strong barley tea in front of me.
“The viciousness in your eyes has faded a bit now.”
“Does it look that way?”
“Of course. Back then, your eyes were terrifying. I didn’t know the reason at the time, but as years passed, I eventually came to understand it somewhat. So, are you satisfied now?”
“Yes. I’m living a life I’m satisfied with.”
“That’s good, then.”
Kim Hyunsik let out a quiet chuckle. I also took a sip of the barley tea before asking:
“I never expected you to accept the offer to become nomination committee chairman.”
“I didn’t expect it either.”
“May I ask why you accepted?”
“Why? What importance does that have? Representative Lee came to me and asked me to take the position. I simply accepted.”
“You’re not someone who would manipulate nominations the way Myungsoo wants.”
Kim Hyunsik burst into loud laughter.
“That’s right. Representative Lee came to me and said this: ‘I want nothing. Please handle the nominations fairly and impartially within the established rules.’”
I had heard Myungsoo say something similar before.
Most of the remaining committee members were people chosen by Myungsoo.
No matter how much authority the chairman possessed, if the rest of the committee truly intended to shake things up, they absolutely could.
“...No matter what results come out, there will be people who attack you. You don’t intend to enter politics yourself, do you?”
“Why do you think that?”
“Because the professor I know would never become a politician.”
Kim Hyunsik laughed heartily again and nodded.
“Hahaha. That’s right. I have no intention of entering politics. I simply intend to do as Representative Lee wishes.”
“Even if that position becomes nothing more than a crown of thorns?”
“That’s right.”
It seemed the relationship between Myungsoo and Kim Hyunsik ran deeper than I had expected.
As I hesitated to speak, Kim Hyunsik spoke first.
“Representative Lee said something interesting.”
I nodded.
“He said that this nomination process has to be transparent and fair if they want to win next year’s presidential election in a landslide.”
I slowly nodded.
“I intend to thoroughly examine even the people Representative Lee recommends. And if someone goes against the nomination rules or my own judgment, I’ll cut them down without hesitation.”
“Do you think that’s truly good for Myungsoo?”
“It is. I don’t know exactly what kind of politics Representative Lee wants. But there is something I can help him with. If I complete these nominations according to my convictions, wouldn’t that help him greatly?”
So he accepted it for Myungsoo’s sake.
His tone was calm, but it belonged to someone who clearly understood what he had to do.
“I see. If you carry out the nominations according to your principles, most of the parasites will get weeded out.”
“I believe that’s exactly what Representative Lee wants.”
Ever since becoming a National Assembly member, countless people had gathered around Myungsoo.
Naturally, there were many who remained by his side solely for political profit.
No, perhaps there were even more political schemers than genuine allies.
Because no matter how thoroughly he filtered people out, someone in Myungsoo’s position could never completely eliminate them all.
‘So that’s why he plans to use Professor Kim Hyunsik as a blade.’
I could tell Myungsoo had made a major decision.
He had chosen Professor Kim Hyunsik as a blade capable of cutting down even his own close associates.
After all, opposing Kim Hyunsik—the mentor of both Myungsoo and Jang Seokhyeon—would not be easy.
“I understand now. Thank you.”
I slightly lowered my head.
Kim Hyunsik had no obligation to clear up my doubts.
Yet he answered my questions sincerely.
“No, no. It was nice seeing you again after so long. Your other friends come to visit me occasionally.”
There was a slight hint of reproach in his voice, making me smile awkwardly.
“I apologize. All I can do is make excuses about being busy.”
After that, I spent quite a long time talking with Kim Hyunsik.
And near the end of our conversation, he gave me a piece of advice.
“Muhyuk.”
“Yes, Professor.”
“If you truly care about Representative Lee, then stop helping him with his work.”
Without realizing it, I furrowed my brow. But Kim Hyunsik showed no sign of discomfort and continued speaking gently.
“I don’t know politics well. But after accepting this nomination committee position, the name I heard most often wasn’t anyone else’s. It was yours.”
“......”
“That’s not a good thing. Representative Lee needs to stand on his own strength for everyone to truly acknowledge him.”
“I know. That it’s about time for me to step back.”
Kim Hyunsik nodded.
“Yes. Your shadow is too dark. It’s time for him to step out from beneath it. And with next year’s presidential election approaching, isn’t this the perfect timing?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t take offense. I’m saying this because I care about both you and Representative Lee.”
“I’m not offended.”
Checking the clock, I spoke. It was time to end the conversation.
“I should get going. I have another appointment. I’ll come visit you from time to time from now on.”
“There’s no need for that. Aren’t you busier than anyone?”
“Your words helped me greatly today, Professor. I’ll visit occasionally and seek your guidance.”
I had originally visited him because of the nomination committee chairman position, but the rest of his advice had also been immensely helpful.
At my words, Kim Hyunsik smiled with satisfaction.
“I’m glad it was helpful.”
I stood from my seat and bowed my head.
“If anything difficult ever comes up, please contact me anytime. I’ll do my best to help.”
“Haha. At my age, what kind of help would I even need?”
Kim Hyunsik lightly waved his hand, thinking it was just a polite formality.
But I knew how his later years would end.
“Even so. If anything happens, please contact me.”
“Alright. I understand.”
I left the study, greeted his wife, and stepped outside.
After coming down to the first floor, I looked up at Kim Hyunsik’s apartment for a moment.
It was old and modest, but it was a good home filled with the warmth of ordinary people.
“Manager.”
“Yes.”
“Professor Kim Hyunsik’s grandson should be attending Gyeonggi High School right now. His name is Kim Junhyeok. He should be eighteen years old. No, maybe seventeen.”
“Yes.”
“Anyway, look into that kid’s activities.”
Kim Hyunsik was destined to fall into ruin because of his grandson.
Of course, it wouldn’t happen immediately.
Only years later would it become known to the world, and because of that, Kim Hyunsik’s reputation would collapse.
