Director Hakjae Lee opened the door to the chairman's office, and someone entered.
Chairman Jin, who had been sitting on the visitor's sofa, stood up when the door opened but quickly sat back down.
"The Prime Minister sends an errand boy? He's grown quite a bit."
In response to Chairman Jin's uncomfortable remark, the errand boy, who was slowly walking in, quickly rushed to the nearby seat and bowed.
"Please don't misunderstand, Chairman. Given the current situation, there were many eyes watching, so it was inevitable. He instructed me to convey his apology."
"Alright, I understand. Take a seat quickly."
Kim Sung-soo, the vice minister, bowed his head and sat down on the sofa.
"You must know why I asked to meet with the Prime Minister, right?"
"Of course, Chairman."
"I heard that the IMF approved $55.5 billion in aid. The guy who acts like a tough guy, did he promise that yesterday?"
Vice Minister Kim Sung-soo blinked his eyes instead of answering.
"You... don't know?"
"Chairman, it's not that, but I wanted to confirm how you knew. It happened early this morning, or rather, just today...."
"Don't ask me who my sources are. Just answer the question, got it?"
"Yes, understood."
"How much is coming in the first round?"
"$5.6 billion. We're planning to use it immediately."
"I don't know where that money is going, but let Sunyang Group use $1.5 billion. Is that okay?"
Vice Minister Kim Sung-soo put both of his hands politely on his knees, wearing an awkward expression.
"Chairman, that's a bit... We've decided to release it to commercial banks for now. Export companies are holding credit notes and are on the verge of collapsing. We need to release their credit lines first to prevent a domino effect."
"Starting with the leaky ones, huh?"
"Yes."
"Get out."
"Ch-Chairman."
Vice Minister Kim barely perched on the edge of the sofa, his body drenched in cold sweat.
"Do you think I'm a fool? The election is just around the corner, right? If you announce support for the conglomerates, it'll sound like you're losing votes from the small and medium-sized enterprises, won't it?"
"Oh, no, not at all."
"And these guys are just saying 'let's see'... When they need campaign funds, they dig into my pockets, but when I need something, they fill someone else's pockets? What kind of math is that?"
As Chairman Jin sharply pointed out, Vice Minister Kim Sung-soo became tongue-tied again.
"Kim Sung-soo, when will the second round of funding be?"
Hakjae Lee, who had been quietly observing, asked, coming to the rescue of the embarrassed Kim Sung-soo.
"At the end of December. Right after Christmas."
"How much?"
"$2 billion."
Chairman Jin slammed the sofa armrest.
"Just give that much. Got it?"
As if he had finished the discussion, Chairman Jin got up.
"Chairman."
"Why? Do you have more to say?"
"How can I make that promise?"
"Then why did you come? Since the Prime Minister granted you that much authority, I dealt with you. If someone without authority had been talking to me all this time, just remember that it would have been the end of your civil servant career. Think carefully before you speak."
It's the moment when a civil servant's self-esteem is most wounded and they feel the most humiliation.
Someone without authority.
In an organization where status is determined by authority, being told you have no authority means you're considered a person not worth dealing with.
"Chairman, it's not something I can promise from my position. Even the Prime Minister... no, the President can't make such a promise. Isn't this something that can only happen if the ruling party wins the presidential election and continues in power? If the opposition party takes power, it's just a bonfire."
"Just win! You were given money to win. Even if you throw that money around and still can't win? More than half the people blindly vote for the same party. Can't you win against that?"
In the pre-election period, there is no change from the status quo. No one can predict the outcome, and the situation remains uncertain.
Unable to answer and not knowing what to do with his body, Vice Minister Kim Sung-soo turned his gaze to Director Hakjae Lee, seemingly seeking help.
Director Hakjae Lee nodded slightly and gathered the courage to speak.
"Yes, Chairman. I promise to win and repay your kindness."
"Don't just flatter me, go. Make sure to secure the $2 billion and put it in my pocket."
When Vice Minister Kim Sung-soo quietly retreated, Chairman Jin let out a sigh.
"It looks like the game is over if the Prime Minister is stepping back."
"The reports from the intelligence team are shocking, but it seems the opposition party is slightly ahead."
"What about that young gentleman who's stirring up trouble? Have you met him?"
"Yes."
"What does he say?"
"He insists he will not resign under any circumstances."
"He's really laying it on thick. Even if he comes out three times and tries to steal the first-place votes, he won't succeed. Doesn't he know that? It's not even guaranteed that there will be another chance. Is he a fool?"
"No one in their right mind remains sane after election campaigning. When they see their supporters, they become convinced that they will become the president themselves."
The two exchanged pitiful glances.
"Oh, Vice Minister Kim, did you make sure to take care of him?"
"Even without you saying so, I already gave him a box in the trunk of his car."
"Good job. He's running around getting curses from all sides, so he needs a little something to lift his spirits."
As the atmosphere in the chairman's office calmed down a bit, Hakjae Lee cautiously spoke up.
"Chairman, can you tell me who the Miracle Owner is? I'd like to meet with them and request their cooperation."
"Enough. I'll handle that side of things. You go visit the opposition camp. Offer them a few bottles of Bacchus and just chat them up a bit. If they agree to prioritize supporting us with $2 billion, tell them that the Federation of Industries will actively cooperate with the next administration."