I Became a Scoundrel of a Chaebol Family-Chapter 264: 27. South Korea Has a Passion for Education

27. South Korea Has a Passion for Education

While the secretaries cleaned up after the banquet, I reviewed the timeline of the Grand Incheon Conference.

Since I’d invited an absurd number of people, I thought a lot must’ve happened—but surprisingly, that wasn’t the case.

That’s not to say there were no results. Things may have unfolded in a direction different from what I intended, but results were results nonetheless.

“In a way, the fact that the lawmakers provoked me might’ve actually worked out for the better.”

If those lawmakers hadn’t had the audacity to collectively blow off my invitation, I wouldn’t have gone so far as to kill off all the district mayors, and in that case, things between me and those bastards might’ve proceeded without trouble—a mutually beneficial relationship.

Sure, that would’ve been more comfortable. But in terms of “political power expansion,” it definitely would’ve been slower.

Growth and progress only come when there’s a sense of need, and I didn’t particularly feel the need for a political power base until those lawmakers snubbed my invitation.

I probably would’ve just played around with girls like Kim Eun-ji and focused on acquiring Namdong District, which was my main area of interest. As for the rest of Incheon, I would’ve just sweet-talked them into being useful.

But then these bastards bared their teeth at me and pissed me off, and that’s when I realized I needed my own direct political faction.

As a result, instead of just building shallow connections, I ended up conquering them—bringing seven female lawmakers under my control. I’m also preparing to trap multiple male lawmakers using a variety of methods.

On top of that, I spoke with Minji and got a promise from her to send some of the capable people under her into politics. Naturally, the top priority is the district mayors.

“And then there’s founding a party.”

That’s something I genuinely hadn’t even considered—didn’t think it would come this soon...

I already have a mountain of things to handle, and now it feels like much more complicated and convoluted matters are piling on fast.

But I can’t not do it.

If every person I’ve pulled in, and everyone I influence indirectly, all succeed, then I’ll have more than enough to fill up the district mayor positions.

That means all 16 districts in Incheon would fall into my hands.

But even in that scenario, with Choi Cheol-kyu as mayor and the overwhelming majority of city and district councilors not on my side, I still wouldn’t have full control.

No matter what I try to do, I need budgets and legislation to move things smoothly—and the ones who handle that are the legislators, the city and district council members.

For reference, Incheon’s assembly is composed of 32 city councilors (two per district: A and B) and 300 district councilors (one per 100,000 people, proportional to population).

These guys manage all the laws and budgets, so without their cooperation, even district mayors overseeing over a million people each will end up stuck.

That’s why I can’t stop at just taking the mayors—I need to have the lawmakers under my thumb too.

And to do that, founding a party and grouping them all under one banner will make it easier to manage.

“Like things were ever going to go that smoothly anyway.”

Unfortunately, the idea that everyone I’ve recruited will succeed in politics and I’ll take over all the district mayor positions is nothing but a pipe dream. At this stage, it’s almost impossible.

Being generous, maybe 20%.

Even that’s a stretch. We’re only just getting started, and pulling off 20% already counts as huge.

Incheon is a megacity with a population of 30 million, you know.

****

“Honored citizens, and members of the press. Hello, this is Kim Joo-seok, spokesperson for the Constitutional Party for Equality and Freedom. After intense negotiations with the Better Future Party, we have reached a bipartisan agreement to implement a special investigation into what’s commonly referred to as the ‘District Mayor Terror Incident,’ which recently stirred widespread public outrage.

This is an unavoidable measure in the name of justice and administrative transparency—a responsibility no party can ignore.

This terror attack is a serious crime that goes against the hopes of all citizens for a safe local community. As a party rooted in equality, freedom, and constitutional values, we take the public’s call for truth and accountability very seriously and will proceed with the special investigation... (abridged)...

No matter the country, in order for a society to progress and mature, all forms of violence and illegality must be firmly rejected, and the rule of law and human rights upheld. These values are embedded in the name of # Nоvеlight # our party, and we will continue to defend them moving forward.

Thank you.”

Honored citizens, hello. This is Koo Bon-neung, spokesperson for the Better Future Party. Through bipartisan agreement, our party has decided to proceed with a special investigation into the ‘District Mayor Terror Incident’... (abridged)...

Thank you.”**

The media wouldn’t shut up about the District Mayor Terror Incident.

Public attention was hyper-focused for several days straight, and the political scene was on fire like a melting furnace.

Eventually, the ruling and opposition parties each held a general assembly to collect internal opinions, and after another round of negotiations, they finally agreed to move forward with a special investigation.

Mayor Choi Cheol-kyu also released a statement supporting the special probe, which officially kicked off a full-scale special investigation phase.

Depending on how I respond, the situation in Incheon could flip 180 degrees.

“You’re still doing alright so far.”

The seven female lawmakers I banged on the yacht, for now, publicly aligned themselves with their respective parties.

My time hasn’t even properly started yet—if they show their cards too early, they’ll just get weeded out.

At the same time, Kim Eun-ji began preparing for the district mayor by-election while subtly expressing her stance on the incident through social media.

As expected, it was in support of the special investigation.

The slaughter of district mayors en masse was such a shocking event that even long-time supporters of both parties united as one to demand the special probe.

That made it incredibly difficult to voice any opposing opinions. Not that there was any need to.

“We have to accept it anyway, so why waste energy bitching about it.”

What matters isn’t whether we accept the special investigation or not—it’s the details.

Who gets appointed, how it’s carried out, what methods they use, and what conclusion they reach.

“This special investigation needs to be a complete failure. They must not even come close to figuring out who was behind it. The whole thing has to fizzle out and end in ambiguity.”

That’s why it can’t be Lee Na-eun.

Lee Na-eun always has to be seen by the public as a competent and righteous prosecutor.

That way, my work stays easy.

“They haven’t decided who the special prosecutor will be yet, right?”

“No, not yet.”

Well, yeah.

They just went “Let’s do a special investigation,” and banged the gavel—no way the decision’s already been made.

“I already told the Chief Prosecutor not to accept Lee Na-eun... Oh, what if we take the initiative first? Have the Chief Prosecutor just go ahead and appoint someone. Suck all the wind out of their sails.”

After all, the authority to appoint the special prosecutor lies with the Incheon High Prosecutor’s Office.

All the Assembly can do is submit a ‘Please launch a special investigation’ request. They can only suggest who should be in charge—it's just an optional recommendation.

In other words, if the Chief Prosecutor stands his ground and keeps his head held high, then no matter how much of a fit the Assembly throws, he can completely take control of the special investigation.

“But wouldn’t that give the City’s Ministry of Justice an excuse to step in? Especially with a case this high-profile...”

“If they interfere, they’re confirming they’re the enemy. They’d be challenging me openly. And they know exactly how the situation stands.”

This is something they could easily just respond to with a simple expression of regret.

Or say something like ‘We respect the High Prosecutor’s decision and support it.’

It’s not like they’re scrapping the investigation entirely—just appointing someone of their own choosing from the Incheon High Prosecutor’s Office.

If they go off the rails over that and actively intervene, that’s an even clearer signal than trying to push Lee Na-eun in.

If they nominate Lee Na-eun as the special prosecutor, I can at least generously interpret it as “Ah! They’re appointing my ally Lee Na-eun to help me out!” or whatever.

But if the City’s Ministry of Justice actively intervenes to block my move, then that’s just a blatant declaration that the Mayor’s cutting ties with me.

It means the special investigation itself isn’t enough for them.

There’s a bigger political motive behind it.

Not that they seriously intend to arrest and jail me, of course.

It’s probably just a show of force to strengthen their bargaining position—but even that is ridiculously offensive.

“Let’s go with that. Contact the Chief Prosecutor. Once the Assembly sends the special investigation request, have him accept it and immediately appoint someone convenient to the position.”

“Understood.”

Seo Aram, who had been silently listening beside us, offered her opinion.

“Wouldn’t it be better to just directly inform the Mayor or the Assembly yourself? You’d be able to give a much clearer order that way. Wouldn’t that make things easier?”

“That’s exactly the problem, Aram.”

“...Sorry?”

Looks like little Aram doesn’t really understand me yet.

Well, it’s only been a few days. That can’t be helped.

“Why should I have to directly convey my intentions? Underlings are supposed to figure it out on their own.”

“Ah... I see.”

“If they don’t get it, I replace them. If they do, I reward them.”

“Isn’t that... a bit inconvenient?”

“The pride of some people is more important than the lives of others. Compared to that, inconvenience is nothing.”

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