Chapter 9: A Major Change
“Comrades and dear citizens,
I have come to hold a firm belief regarding the future of our nation. In this era, where deep-rooted conflicts and perspectives among the people have manifested as a national crisis, I have engaged in profound contemplation and countless inner struggles about the true mission of a politician.
[Omitted]
First, we must swiftly amend the constitution to allow for direct presidential elections through bipartisan agreement, and execute a peaceful transfer of government in February 1988 through elections under the new constitution.
The people are the true owners of the country, and their will takes precedence over everything.”
June 29, 1987.
I heard this monumental announcement while sipping yogurt in the car on my way home from school.
Through this declaration, candidate Roh Tae-woo announced that he would resign from all public offices, including his candidacy for president, if his declaration was not accepted. Subsequently, the ruling Democratic Justice Party recognized this declaration as its official stance.
Even President Chun Doo-hwan announced in a special address that he would accept the June 29 Declaration, making it the official government stance. Along with this, the April 13 Protection of the Constitution measure was abolished.
The June Struggle, which achieved the triumph of democracy by the hands of the citizens through the June 29 Declaration, would conclude with the funeral of martyr Lee Han-yeol.
A new era of the presidential race was beginning.
As I opened the gate to my house, feeling a bit excited, a strange atmosphere enveloped the entire home.
The gardener, who also took care of household chores and always greeted me with a bright smile, pulled me aside with a serious expression.
“Do-jun, your grandfather is here. Got it?”
Oh, really.
On such a significant day, he came to see me without even holding a meeting with the group’s executives?
It’s no illusion. I’m the only one he wants to meet in this house.
I flashed a bright smile at the gardener and entered the house.
In the living room, my grandfather was sitting with two tutors, asking them various questions.
Upon spotting me, Chairman Jin sprang up from the sofa, spreading his arms wide.
“Oh, my precious child! Back from school?”
I had to suppress a sigh that threatened to escape. Running over and hugging him like an ordinary grandson was something I just couldn’t do.
I bowed politely.
“Hello, Grandfather.”
But there was no avoiding it.
Chairman Jin lifted me up with surprising strength for an old man.
Fortunately, my mother entered the living room with tea and fruit, prompting my grandfather to set me down with a sheepish expression.
As my mother placed the refreshments and turned to head back to the kitchen, Chairman Jin stopped her.
“Sit for a moment.”
“What?”
“I have something important to discuss. And why are you so surprised?”
“Oh, yes, Father.”
It was the first time her father-in-law had ever spoken to her, and she was so taken aback that she cautiously perched on the edge of the sofa.
“Do-jun, why don’t you go up to your room for a bit? I have something to discuss with your mother.”
Chairman Jin also addressed the tutors, who were sitting uncomfortably.
“You two should step out as well. Perhaps check on his homework.”
As if waiting for this cue, the two tutors took my hand and led me upstairs.
What could Grandfather want to say to Mother?
“How have you been?”
“Well, I’m just a housewife managing the household. Nothing special.”
It was the first time her father-in-law had inquired about her well-being since she married into the family.
Both the inquiring father-in-law and the responding daughter-in-law were awkward to the extreme.
“Hmm… I have something to ask you.”
“Yes, Father.”
“It’s about Do-jun. He seems a bit different from other kids. What do you think?”
“He’s a bit mature for his age.”
“That’s not how he was at the beginning of the year… is it?”
Chairman Jin’s gaze was sharp, as if he didn’t want to miss a single reaction from his daughter-in-law.
“Yes, to be honest, I was a bit taken aback too. It’s true that his demeanor changed suddenly a few months ago… but I’m relieved it’s in a positive way.”
“In a positive way? How so?”
“He’s calm, polite… oh, and his studies have improved dramatically.”
“The tutors say he’s exceptionally bright and diligent. Are you aware of this?”
“Yes. After school, he studies late into the night. Even when I tell him to go to bed early, he doesn’t listen.”
Chairman Jin smiled along with his daughter-in-law, who seemed proud of her son.
Seeing such an expression on her father-in-law’s face for the first time, she appeared surprised.
“Pay more attention to Do-jun from now on. It will be beneficial for you too.”
”…?”
Seeing his daughter-in-law blink in confusion, Chairman Jin spoke again.
“I’m sure you’re aware that I haven’t been pleased with you, so I won’t elaborate. You also know why you haven’t been treated as a proper daughter-in-law in this family, so I won’t elaborate on that either.”
Chairman Jin continued to look at his daughter-in-law, who had lowered her head, with a sharp gaze. There was no hint of sympathy in his eyes.
“Perhaps Do-jun is the last hope for you and your husband.”
“What do you mean?”
“Do-jun is a task for you. If you raise him well, I will allocate shares of the Sunyang Group to you and your husband.”
Among Chairman Jin’s five children, Jin Yoon-gi, the youngest, was the only one without any shares in the Sunyang Group or its affiliates.
Jin Yoon-gi had no assets in his name.
The house they lived in was under Chairman Jin’s name, and the car and golf membership were company assets.
Jin Yoon-gi was entirely dependent on the generous monthly allowance he received.
Granting shares in the Sunyang Group meant being accepted back as a child. Seeing his daughter-in-law blink in disbelief at this astonishing statement, Chairman Jin frowned.
“You still don’t understand what I’m saying…”
“No, Father. I understand perfectly.”
“Then why? Why don’t you show any gratitude or joy?”
“I have never desired shares in the group. Neither has Do-jun’s father. We won’t in the future either.”
“What?”
“I don’t know what you’ve seen in Do-jun to take an interest, but your attention is quite burdensome. We just want Do-jun to live doing what he wants.”
The youngest daughter-in-law, who had always been silent and unable to raise her head, was now articulating her thoughts clearly.
To dare do what no one else had done. Defiance and rebellion were the things Chairman Jin was least accustomed to. Eventually, a loud voice erupted from him.
“Are you trying to throw away even the last chance I’m giving you? What’s wrong with my saying you should raise the child well?”
“I understand that you want Do-jun to be raised to handle group affairs. But Do-jun is only ten years old. I want to let him decide what he wants to do when he becomes an adult.”
Seeing his daughter-in-law remain unfazed by his outburst, Chairman Jin was taken aback. Is a mother’s instinct to protect her child truly fearless?
But Chairman Jin was not one to nod in agreement before maternal instincts.
“Every decision in this family is made by me! How dare you…! You can’t survive a single day without the money I provide, and yet you defy my will?”
His voice echoed through the house, causing even the household staff to flinch.
The secretaries who had accompanied Chairman Jin were also startled and quietly left the living room. There was no need to listen to private family matters. They exited to the garden, making as little noise as possible.
The living room, now left with just the two of them, grew even colder.
“Even if you cut off support, we’ll be fine.”
“You… you!”
Chairman Jin’s face reddened at his daughter-in-law’s calm yet firm demeanor.
“We can raise two children just fine. We can endure and bear everything else, but we want to raise our children according to our wishes. I’m sorry, Father.”
Seeing his daughter-in-law, who had not a single redeeming quality in his eyes, stand firm and stubborn, Chairman Jin could no longer hold back and stood up abruptly from the sofa.
Continuing the conversation was now impossible.
Chairman Jin, who intended to storm out after scolding her, couldn’t follow through with his plan.
Because his beloved grandson was quietly watching him.
At first, I waited for Chairman Jin on the second floor.
I expected him to call for me once he finished talking with Mother, but the atmosphere downstairs was turning tense.
When I heard Chairman Jin’s harsh voice, I shook off the tutor’s hand and left the room.
Sitting on the stairs leading down, I listened to the conversation between the two and was quite surprised.
A completely different side of Mother.
Her stance, unwavering and clear in front of the formidable power of Chairman Jin, was even moving.
But things were escalating too far to just sit by.
Especially when Grandfather seemed on the verge of exploding, I felt anxious.
I quickly went downstairs, putting on a sullen face, and spoke.
“Grandfather.”
Chairman Jin couldn’t hide his surprise upon seeing me.
He must have known the truth that no grandson likes a grandfather who bullies his mother.
“Please don’t be angry, Grandfather.”
“Oh, no, I’m not angry. It’s just that this old man’s voice is loud. Come here.”
I walked slowly and sat next to Mother. Disappointment flickered in Chairman Jin’s eyes as I didn’t sit beside him.
“Do-jun, Grandfather isn’t angry. We were just talking.”
Mother spoke gently, stroking my hair.
Did they really think I wouldn’t understand?
Even at ten years old, I could fully grasp the situation.
In any case, I needed to settle this and say something that would satisfy Grandfather. Plus, it was a chance to express my own intentions.
“Grandfather and Mother, there’s no need to argue because of me.”
Both of their faces turned a bit red. Especially Grandfather, who even cleared his throat when our eyes met.
“Grandfather.”
“Yes, Do-jun.”
“I hope that when I grow up, I can do what I truly want, just like you always said, Mom.”
The idea of following her mother’s advice and pursuing her own dreams seemed to hit her hard. Her face fell in an instant, shifting to one of quiet disappointment.
Her lips quivered slightly, as if she felt a twinge of betrayal.