Chapter 207: I Hope You Give Me an Answer Now

Impeachment was a process that allowed the removal of high-ranking officials in a democratic nation.

It meant not just being pulled from office but also being held accountable.

Is there any event more intriguing than a president who successfully held a summit between North and South Korea facing impeachment?

"Mr. President, I'm not just stalling like last time. Once this meeting ends, we'll move forward immediately."

If Kim Hak-gwon held firm to his objections, I'd have no choice but to use drastic measures.

High approval ratings for Kim Hak-gwon? That could easily be tarnished by the media if I wanted to.

"…Impeachment?"

Kim Hak-gwon stared blankly, as if struggling to comprehend what he had just heard.

"Yes, Mr. President. Impeachment."

"Do you understand the repercussions of those words? Seriously, do you think that's even possible?"

Did he want to deny reality? I smiled coldly at Kim Hak-gwon's pale expression.

While there had never been a president impeached in America, many instances of impeachment proposals passing in the House existed; he surely knew this.

"Impeachment is a legitimate right of the citizens and the National Assembly guaranteed by the Constitution. While there are no precedents in Korea, the U.S. has seen multiple resolutions passed in the House."

"So, I can be ousted whenever someone feels like it? We cannot set such precedents! Do you even understand what you're trying to do?"

Eventually, Kim Hak-gwon shouted, his face etched with deep anxiety.

In stark contrast to his heated outburst, I replied coldly.

"The president is not above the law. You yourself emphasized this more than anyone else, yet you've changed since taking office."

"Have I changed? Don't you know how hard I've worked for Korea?"

"Maybe in the past, but the current president cannot be distinguished from previous ones."

The idea that he was not different from those he so despised left Kim Hak-gwon's face aghast.

"I'm not asking for anything unreasonable, Mr. President. I didn't ask for your help, just to stay out of my conflict with Seo Yong-geon."

"…"

"It was you, Mr. President, who pressured me with your influence. So, I'm just doing my best to handle things my way."

From the first day we met, Kim Hak-gwon had looked down on Han Gyeong-yeong and me. There was no way someone like that would change.

"So don't blame me. This is all a consequence of the president's obstinacy."

Still in shock, Kim Hak-gwon stared at me in silence, unable to respond.

"Now, Mr. President, you have three options."

I opened one finger. I could feel his gaze shift toward my hand.

"First, you can maintain your dignity by focusing on your remaining term without interfering in my conflict with Seo Yong-geon."

I extended another finger, and I could see Kim Hak-gwon's face freeze in shock.

"Second, you can ally with Seo Yong-geon and fall into the abyss together. I'll make sure that happens."

As I extended my last finger, a smile spread across my face. This option was surely one he didn't want to entertain.

"Finally, like many dictators before you, you could declare martial law, dissolve the National Assembly, and arrest me and the assembly members."

I lowered my hand and spoke firmly. The choice was his to make now.

"The choice is entirely yours, Mr. President."

While I presented three choices, secretly, Kim Hak-gwon's fate was already sealed.

As a self-proclaimed champion of democracy, he could never declare martial law like a dictator. Even if he tried, there was no guarantee the military would follow his orders.

Moreover, he couldn't afford to throw away his hard-earned reputation over a single person like Seo Yong-geon.

That left him with only one option: to quietly step back.

"Have I changed? I'm no different from those I once despised…"

Instead of making a choice, Kim Hak-gwon muttered to himself, his face twisted in apparent agony.

Just then, the restaurant door swung open, and Secretary Pyong Min-guk entered.

He hesitated briefly, caught off guard by the heavy atmosphere in the room, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Mr. President, it's almost time for your meeting with the Minister of Economy. You should wrap up this private meeting soon."

Kim Hak-gwon, snapping back to reality at Pyong Min-guk's voice, gestured for him to leave.

However, Pyong Min-guk, confused by the gesture, hesitated and spoke again.

"Well, about the meeting time…"

Before he could finish, Kim Hak-gwon interrupted him, erupting in anger.

"Leave!"

Startled by Kim Hak-gwon's bellow, Pyong Min-guk lowered his head and exited the restaurant.

Once Kim Hak-gwon seemed to recover from his distress, he finally turned to look at me.

"I am no dictator. I have no reason or desire to declare martial law."

Kim Hak-gwon, who had fought fervently for democracy, was a person who had endured many oppressions from dictators.

For him, the comparison to a dictator was no different from an insult.

"…Let me ask you something."

Kim Hak-gwon's voice sounded more cautious than usual.

"Yes, Mr. President. Please ask away."

"What exactly are you dreaming of?"

Caught off guard by the unexpected question, I paused for a moment.

As I struggled to figure out how to respond, Kim Hak-gwon unleashed a barrage of inquiries.

"Why are you pursuing this so fervently when you possess far greater wealth and influence than Chairman Cheon ever did?"

When another opportunity arose, I made a vow: I would ensure no one could harm my family, friends, or anyone dear to me again.

Yet, that resolve seemed futile as I faced those still harassing and threatening my people.

Myeong-su, Eva, Grandfather… The faces of those who suffered because of me flitted through my mind.

"I want to protect my people. I'm prepared to become a demon if that's what it takes. Should anyone harm my people… I will pursue them to the ends of hell."

"This is South Korea. Laws exist, along with promises between people. You're being reckless."

Reckless? Kim Hak-gwon might see it that way.

But I would hesitate no longer. I detested the thought of losing something precious again.

"I've already lost everything. I don't want to make the same mistake again. …I'd prefer to leave the conversation here."

With that, Kim Hak-gwon sighed and shook his head. He couldn't understand me.

I had no intention of forcing him to comprehend my perspective.

"I never thought you'd pull the impeachment card. Sure, you might be able to impeach me considering your influence. But do you think the public will accept it?"

Like a mirage in the desert, Kim Hak-gwon remained fixated on fleeting approval ratings.

"Do you really believe people will continue to support and trust you indefinitely, Mr. President? Once your true face begins to show, will the public still believe in you?"

"…"

"No. The masses will enjoy your downfall. It'll be great entertainment for them. They'll relish in the disgrace of a collapsing president, even if he was elected by their own hands."

Kim Hak-gwon wasn't unaware of this; yet, hearing such blunt words left him momentarily speechless.

"Chairman Seo isn't someone of such importance that you'd be willing to sacrifice your political career. He merely joined hands with you to keep me in check."

Kim Hak-gwon wasn't a politician swayed by chaebols.

He believed that the abnormal management of chaebols was the root cause of the foreign exchange crisis.

Consequently, he pressured chaebols through big deals and various regulations.

He had merely allied with Seo Yong-geon to counter me; degrading himself for Seo Yong-geon was utterly absurd.

"I hope you can give me an answer now."

Kim Hak-gwon raised his hand to cover his face; a pained groan slipped from his lips.

Though he had reached the pinnacle of politics, I couldn't begin to fathom the humiliation Kim Hak-gwon felt, having been humiliated by the same person twice.

So I simply waited for his response.

"Huh… I'll cut ties with Chairman Seo."

Lowering his hand from his face, Kim Hak-gwon sighed deeply and spoke.

While his shoulders slumped, a slight smile crept onto my face.

"You've made a wise decision, Mr. President."

"But it has to be different from what happened with the Cheongpung Group. Such things cannot happen again. If it does, I'll stake my political career to settle this with you."

"It'll depend on how Chairman Seo reacts to this."

Lee Yong-hyun of the Cheongpung Group was relatively unknown to the general public. Therefore, even if I handled him personally, no one would care about his death.

"I have no intention of forcibly suppressing him like I did with the Cheongpung Group. That would be too easy."

However, Chairman Seo was different.

As a conglomerate's chairman, he was someone everyone in South Korea knew. Removing him in the same way as Yong-hyun would be much more challenging.

"But if Chairman Seo makes the wrong decision…"

I swallowed the rest of my words but noticed Kim Hak-gwon catch on. He nodded slightly.

"During the remaining term, I'll request that the Moderate Party fully cooperate with your administration. Arrange a summit meeting with Yoon Chang-ho. He'll accept it."

Without the Moderate Party's support, the Progressive Party alone couldn't do much for the President.

To effectively lead his remaining term, Kim Hak-gwon needed the assistance of the Moderate Party.

Politics was about give and take; they would only get what they deserved.

"I was already thinking of proposing a summit meeting soon."

"Yes. You can suggest the private meeting. What you negotiate with Chairman Yoon is entirely up to you."

As I made a delineating comment, a bitter smile crept across Kim Hak-gwon's face.

"Also, tell the Attorney General to cease all investigations into the Geuksung Group."

"…"

"Just give the instructions, and I'll take care of the rest. I'll ensure the Geuksung side prepares a scapegoat that the prosecutors will accept."

The investigation into the Geuksung Group had initiated under Kim Hak-gwon's orders, and halting it would be simple with his authority.

"Understood. That won't be difficult."

He answered in a voice that sounded resigned.

"I feel like I've wasted too much of your time. May I leave now?"

"Let's do that. I have other schedules to attend to as well."

I stood up first. I had already dragged this meeting longer than I anticipated; it was time to leave.

"I won't forget the help you provided in Pyongyang. I offer my greetings again. Should you need my assistance in the future, I'm willing to help at least once."

This was sincere. I would repay the assistance he had given me to watch over my grandfather as he passed.

As I bowed my head in gratitude, Kim Hak-gwon frowned.

"I've met you several times, but the more I do, the less I understand you."

"I live by the principle of kindness for kindness and malice for malice. It's a simple way to accept things. I intend to repay the kindness you showed me, and I'll help you if I can."

Kim Hak-gwon, who had fallen silent, eventually nodded in agreement.

"…If necessary, I'll reach out."

"Yes, then I'll take my leave."

After leaving Kim Hak-gwon sitting down, I opened the restaurant door. Outside, Ha Myung-hoon and Secretary Pyong Min-guk were waiting.

"Mr. Secretary, the president is looking for you."

Secretary Pyong Min-guk glanced at me and entered the restaurant.

Ha Myung-hoon cautiously approached me and asked.

"Did the conversation go well?"

"For now, let's head out."

We headed down to the parking lot and got into the car. The vehicle carrying Ha Myung-hoon and me drove away from the Blue House.

When the Blue House building was no longer in sight, I finally spoke up.

"It went well. Kim Hak-gwon won't assist Seo Yong-geon. I also received a warning to avoid a situation similar to Cheongpung Group."

"…Are you going to let him live?"

Ha Myung-hoon, sitting in the passenger seat, turned to look at me, and upon seeing his serious expression, I shook my head.

"No. I'll kill him after making him witness the complete destruction of the Il-seong Group, something I thoughht was unbreakable."

Having dared to touch my precious people, Seo Yong-geon must pay a hefty price.

I would snuff out his life at the peak of his misery and despair.

"I'll let you take care of his last breath. I promised that, after all."

"…Yes, Boss."

I noticed a faint smile on Ha Myung-hoon's lips as I continued.

"Please set up a lunch meeting with Kim Byung-woo from Jungwoo Group for tomorrow. I need to contact Eva as well, but I'll handle that myself. I want to rest today. Please take me to Pyeongchang-dong."

After giving my instructions, I leaned my head against the seat and closed my eyes. My mind was swirling with complex thoughts.