[Internal Strife Over the Installation of the Centrist Party’s Nomination Management Committee.]

Last week, the Centrist Party announced the establishment of a Nomination Management Committee ahead of the nationwide local elections, with the stated goal of increasing transparency and fairness in the nomination process.

However, cracks soon emerged between Floor Leader Lee Myungsoo and Secretary General Jang Seokhyeon during the process.

Floor Leader Lee Myungsoo insisted that the central party directly oversee the committee’s installation and operation, aiming to strengthen accountability and control over the party’s nomination process.

In contrast, Secretary General Jang Seokhyeon emphasized communication with local party members and argued that each region should form its own committee tailored to local characteristics.

As a result, opinions within the Centrist Party became sharply divided over the structure and operation of the Nomination Management Committee.

Some voices within the party expressed concern, saying the latest conflict had exposed deeper internal divisions.

In particular, there were warnings that such fractures could negatively impact the Centrist Party’s election strategy in the upcoming local elections.

While the party leadership agreed that the internal strife needed to be resolved quickly and that the party had to present a united front, the gap between both sides remained unresolved.

The Centrist Party is expected to make a final decision regarding the installation of the Nomination Management Committee within the week, and many are closely watching the outcome.

Public attention is now focused on how the Centrist Party’s internal conflict will be resolved and what effect it may have on the local elections.

Centrist Party Headquarters.

Inside the quiet secretary general’s office, two men sat facing one another.

Lee Myungsoo and Secretary General Jang Seokhyeon.

Neither of them spoke. They simply sipped coffee in silence.

But despite the lack of conversation, a taut tension filled the room.

The first to speak was Jang Seokhyeon. Setting down his coffee cup, he called out to Lee Myungsoo.

“Representative Lee.”

Lee Myungsoo also lowered his cup and answered.

“Yes, Secretary General.”

“It’s just the two of us, so we can speak more casually, right?”

Lee Myungsoo nodded.

The two of them were alumni of Korea National University and had also been senior and junior prosecutors.

“Representative Lee. You really don’t understand why I’m doing this?”

“No. I understand. But understanding something and accepting it are two different things.”

“No matter how much the Centrist Party claims it has no factions, people are still going to group together with their own.”

Since it was something he already knew, Lee Myungsoo quietly nodded.

“There’s no ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ one left in the party capable of keeping you in check. You already took the committee chairman position, so you should at least distribute some committee seats. But if you try to swallow everything yourself, what do you think the others will think? Do you know how many people keep coming to see me?”

“I know. But strangely enough, none of them come to me. Even though this is something they could say to my face.”

Secretary General Jang Seokhyeon had been recommended for the position by Lee Myungsoo himself.

He didn’t belong to any faction, and even during his days as a prosecutor, he had been famous for being meticulous and uncompromising.

That was why, after the party’s founding, Lee had placed him in charge of the party’s finances and administration for the long term.

Until now, Jang Seokhyeon had carried out that role quietly and effectively.

“If they’re coming to me, imagine how frustrated they must be. Honestly, how much support do you think I even have within the party?”

The party leader was practically President Yoon Changho’s avatar, while the floor leader and most of the major party positions were occupied by Lee Myungsoo’s people.

The only real opening was Jang Seokhyeon.

Because of that, dissatisfied lawmakers gradually gathered under him, and his influence had grown considerably.

“To be honest, even I know confronting you like this isn’t the best choice.”

“.......”

“But for the sake of the party—and for the sake of our country’s politics—you need to compromise a little. And Representative Lee. Don’t make too many enemies. The moment you use that notebook you’re holding, everyone will turn around and tear you apart.”

Lee Myungsoo raised his head and met Jang Seokhyeon’s eyes.

“......Knives exist to be used. And besides, I’m prepared for it. I’m not a clean man either. I know full well I have no right to condemn them.”

The reason nobody spoke directly to Lee Myungsoo. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

It was because of the corruption ledger Kim Muhyuk had handed him.

“Are you planning to cut off everyone whose names are written in that notebook?”

“Of course not. If I did that, I’d have to wipe out half the sitting lawmakers. Still, don’t you think it’s about time for at least some generational change?”

“Yes. I agree with that too. So let me recommend four people.”

“You want half the committee?”

“Yes. That way I can calm the internal dissatisfaction.”

The Nomination Management Committee—shortened to Gonggwanwi—was the body overseeing the entire nomination process.

Technically, the party leader’s seal had to be stamped at the end, but that was little more than a formality. During election season, the committee effectively controlled nominations.

The Centrist Party formed the committee with ten people total: one chairman and nine committee members.

Every member held one vote, and in the case of a tie, the chairman’s side prevailed.

Even if he handed over five seats, Lee Myungsoo could still write the rules and control the nominations however he pleased.

But Lee Myungsoo had absolutely no intention of doing that.

The moment he took even a single step back, everyone waiting for an opportunity would immediately swarm him.

“Who is it?”

“Huh? What do you mean who?”

“The person moving you like this. The Blue House? Or one of the likely presidential candidates?”

“What kind of nonsense are you talking about?”

Jang Seokhyeon raised his voice in surprise, but Lee Myungsoo answered calmly.

“Senior. I know you well. That’s why I recommended you for secretary general. But I can’t understand why you suddenly started acting like this. Internal dissatisfaction? You’re not the kind of person who moves over something like that. So who is it?”

“It’s the opinion of most of the lawmakers in the party.”

“Senior. If you keep doing this, negotiations won’t work. I need to know who it is before I decide what to do. Otherwise, should I just stop negotiating entirely and do whatever I want? You know as well as I do that this isn’t the time for us to fight over territory.”

Jang Seokhyeon parted his lips as if to say something, but Lee Myungsoo didn’t leave him even the slightest opening.

“The opposition parties hated each other more than we do, yet they still joined hands. They avoided the worst-case scenario of a merger, but they still agreed to divide up the districts between them. And now we’re going to fight among ourselves and create nomination scandals? The moment that happens, we could lose multiple seats.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“If you insist on acting like this until the end, then I won’t have a choice either.”

Letting out a deep sigh, Lee Myungsoo spoke coldly.

“Just because I sat down at the negotiation table with you doesn’t mean I’m going to accept all your demands.”

“Representative Lee!”

“Senior. Just tell me one thing. Who’s leading this? You’re only the face of it, aren’t you?”

No answer came back.

Lee Myungsoo briefly stared out the window.

Then he slowly turned his head and looked at Jang Seokhyeon with regretful eyes.

“They’ll use you and throw you away. Even if I accept your demands, things still won’t end the way you want them to. Politics is a living creature. The moment I show even a little weakness or take one step back, everyone who’s been crouching quietly will rise up all at once.”

His voice was calm, but there was a strange exhaustion hidden beneath it.

When Jang Seokhyeon remained silent, Lee Myungsoo met his gaze directly.

“Senior. Just tell me one thing. Then I’ll make things convenient for you.”

“Representative Lee. Do you think I’m doing this for my own benefit—”

“At least wipe the spit from your mouth before you say that. A politician doing something that brings him zero benefit? Don’t be ridiculous. What were you promised? I’m giving you one last chance before I investigate it myself.”

At the icy response, Jang Seokhyeon could no longer say anything.

“The election is right around the corner now. The committee should’ve already been established and started screening candidates by this point. You know how viciously the newspapers and news channels are tearing us apart, right? So think carefully and contact me.”

“.......”

“I can’t wait long. I’ll be leaving now. And until you make your decision, don’t speak to the press.”

With that, Lee Myungsoo stood up without hesitation.

As he headed toward the door, Jang Seokhyeon stopped him.

“I heard President Kim Muhyuk returned to Korea.”

Lee Myungsoo halted and turned around.

“So that’s why you’re acting so aggressively? Because you trust President Kim Muhyuk?”

Lee Myungsoo frowned.

“Do you also think I’m only acting tough because I’m relying on Muhyuk?”

At his question, Jang Seokhyeon sneered.

“Representative Lee. At least admit what deserves to be admitted. Without President Kim Muhyuk’s help, do you really think someone your age with your background could’ve seized power in the ruling party?”

“I admit that. But this is entirely my own decision. Muhyuk has nothing to do with this matter.”

“How can you say that so confidently? Every time you’ve been cornered, it was President Kim Muhyuk who stepped in and solved things for you.”

Suppressing the urge to explode, Lee Myungsoo answered coldly.

“Think whatever you want. Just give me the answer to my question quickly. I intend to finish establishing the committee this week.”

Lee Myungsoo left the secretary general’s office without another word.

Outside, the deputy floor leader was waiting.

“How’d the talk go, Representative Lee?”

Shaking his head, Lee Myungsoo walked onward.

He entered his nearby office, loosened his tie, and sat down.

The deputy floor leader cautiously studied his mood before speaking.

“The reporters keep calling me.”

“Drag things out as much as possible for now. And can you look into who’s behind Secretary General Jang Seokhyeon?”

“There’s someone behind him? Aren’t all the sitting lawmakers about to lose their nominations just flocking to his side?”

A surge of irritation rose inside him, but Lee Myungsoo calmed himself with a deep breath and replied quietly.

“The secretary general isn’t stupid enough for that. He’s not the kind of man who’d gamble his political life just to grant favors to lawmakers about to get cut off. The Jang Seokhyeon I know isn’t that kind of person.”

“Hmm.......”

“This won’t end just because we survive the local elections. It’s probably one of the presidential candidates. Look into it.”

“I’ll investigate, but I can’t touch presidential-level people freely. You know that, right?”

“I know. Just give me the general atmosphere.”

The deputy floor leader hesitated awkwardly.

“What? If you have something to say, say it. You know the reason I work with you is because you always speak honestly.”

“President Kim Muhyuk came back, right? Maybe asking him for help......”

Finally unable to hold it in any longer, Lee Myungsoo shot back sharply.

“Deputy Leader. Do you really want that?”

“.......”

“If Muhyuk told me to throw away my assembly seat, I’d do it. But I’m not only responsible for myself anymore. How long are we supposed to keep hiding behind Muhyuk’s shadow and doing politics comfortably? We’ve already received more than enough from him. So now I want to try doing this with my own strength.”

“Understood. I’ll do what I can.”

The deputy floor leader laughed awkwardly and changed the subject.

“Want to grab a drink tonight?”

“I’m drinking with Muhyuk tonight. Don’t get your hopes up. I’m planning to make him promise not to interfere in this election.”

“Alright already! Damn, don’t you know me?”

“I do know you. That’s why I keep repeating it. Go handle your work for now. I’ll call you later if I need anything.”

After sending even the deputy floor leader away, Lee Myungsoo erased the fake smile from his face.

“Fucking hell. This is such bullshit.”

He couldn’t shout loudly, so he just grabbed his hair instead.

Maybe because of that—or maybe because of all the stress lately—he felt like his forehead had gotten wider.

After checking himself in the mirror, Lee Myungsoo let out a deep sigh and slowly raised the corners of his mouth.

A pleasant-looking but utterly fake smile reflected back at him.

* * *

“You here?”

The door opened, and Myungsoo walked in.

Sitting beside me, he loosened his tie and tossed it aside carelessly.

“Pour me a drink.”

Without saying a word, I poured whiskey into a glass filled with ice.

Whatever was bothering him, he seemed in a hurry. He didn’t even wait for the ice to melt before downing it immediately.

“Khh, that’s good! The liquor you serve is always top-shelf stuff. Still... today I’m craving soju.”

“You want soju?”

“You have any?”

“Of course. Wait a second.”

Manager Ma quickly caught on and gave orders to the staff.

A moment later, they brought in soju and simple snacks.

The instant the alcohol arrived, Myungsoo poured soju straight into a beer glass until it overflowed.

After emptying the full glass in one shot, he let out a long sigh.

“Having a rough time? The atmosphere looked pretty bad.”

“This kind of thing happens every election season anyway. I’m fine.”

I patted Myungsoo on the shoulder and poured myself a beer glass full of soju as well.

“Need help?”

“No. This time, absolutely do not step in.”

“Alright. I won’t.”

Myungsoo shook his head and spoke seriously.

“I mean it. Don’t help at all this time. Not even from behind the scenes. I’m asking you.”

It seemed Myungsoo had already figured out that I’d been helping him from the shadows.

“This time, even if I fail, I want to go through the election with my own hands. Please, Muhyuk.”

“If that’s what you want.”

I was curious what kind of result Myungsoo would produce if he truly gave it everything he had without my help.

“No matter what happens, I’ll take responsibility for all of it. So even if everything goes to hell, I want to do it my way.”

“Alright. I trust you.”

Myungsoo kept threatening me over and over again, but once I kept giving him the same answer, he finally seemed relieved.

The two of us drank together until dawn.