On weekends, I usually prefer to rest at ho.
Waking up late, I went down to the kitchen to brew so coffee. Taek-gyu was lying on the living room sofa, asleep with the TV on. It seed he had been gaming all night.
As I cleaned the ssy living room, I woke him up.
“Hey, wake up.”
“Why are you waking ? Let sleep a bit more.”
“Our noona Hyun-joo and Ellie are coming later.”
By the ti I finished washing up and tidying up, Hyun-joo and Ellie arrived. After parking in the underground garage, they took the elevator up to the living room.
“We’re here.”
“Welco!”
Ellie was dressed in a long-sleeved shirt and jeans instead of her usual won’s pantsuit. The skinny jeans accentuated her slender figure. Hyun-joo was also dressed casually today.
Still half-asleep, Taek-gyu rubbed his eyes and said, “Did noona co?”
“I dragged Jessica here, even though she said she’d work on the weekend. Wasn’t that great?”
Did Hyun-joo schedule a weekend lunch to make her take a break?
Golden Gate officially had a five-day workweek, but employees voluntarily ca in on weekends. If the branch manager wasn’t even sleeping, how could the staff afford to rest?
There’s nothing more tiring than having a capable and hardworking boss. If soone incompetent were in charge, they might consider quitting or changing jobs, but when the instructions are clear and necessary, you feel compelled to follow them.
Thanks to Hyun-joo’s efforts (and the staff’s overti), Golden Gate’s Korean branch managed to establish itself to the point of operating independently without further support from the Asia branch.
Golden Gate focused its sales on corporate clients and high-net-worth individuals, leveraging its global market experience and infrastructure.
Starting from the end of this year, there are plans to open branches to expand sales to general clients. Consequently, dostic securities firms were on high alert to avoid losing custors.
The als were prepared in advance by the working won. We all sat around the table and ate together.
It feels like a ho where people live, being like this.
I had been eating too carelessly lately.
After finishing our als, we each sat in the living room with coffee or drinks.
‘I brought cake from the hotel.’
Ellie cut the cake and shared it onto our plates.
Taek-gyu spoke up.
‘Is Ronald coming tomorrow?’
‘He’ll arrive around lunchti.’
President Ronald will spend 2 nights and 3 days in South Korea, and he plans to visit Japan and China in succession.
His schedule is packed with visits to the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, Camp Humphreys at the Pyeongtaek U.S. military base, etings with business leaders, a National Assembly speech, and a ceremony at the National Cetery. It also includes a stop at the Gapyeong Golf Club, where Stamper Corporation has invested shares.
Even amidst this busy schedule, can you call it clever self-promotion for his company?
Ellie asked, ‘Aren’t there pro and con rallies happening at Gwanghwamun Square right now?’
Since this is the U.S. president’s first visit, many people expressed both welco and opposition. Over the weekend, a large-scale rally took place at Gwanghwamun Square.
As a result, the police got busy. They declared a yellow alert and mobilized 195 units and 15,000 personnel, installing fences to prevent clashes between the two sides.
‘Tune in to the TV.’
At Hyun-joo’s suggestion, Taek-gyu turned on the TV.
As he switched to the news channel, reports about the rallies ca on. Footage of conservative groups welcoming Ronald’s visit appeared. This included the Parents’ Association, representing conservative groups, the ‘Mom Volunteer Corps’ made up solely of middle-aged won, and ‘Paksamo,’ a group supporting Park Si-hyeong, among others.
Elderly n in military uniforms also joined in. An elderly man wearing a Marine Corps eight-pointed hat and dark sunglasses vigorously waved a Korean flag.
Ellie asked curiously, ‘Who are those people?’
“They say it’s an organization ford mainly by veterans of the Korean War called the Veterans Association for National Salvation.”
“I see. They are remarkable people.”
After nodding, Ellie raised a question shortly after.
“But don’t they all seem excessively young for that?”
“…That’s true.”
Most of the mbers are in their 70s, with a few in their 80s at most. Did they really fight when they were just a year or two old?
On the podium, representatives from each organization ca out to speak. The square was filled with fluttering Taegukgi (Korean flags) alongside the Arican flag, and various banners were displayed.
[Welco to President Ronald Stamper’s visit!]
[Welco! Mr. President!]
[President Ronald! We love you!]
[LOVE USA!]
[Long live the Korea-U.S. alliance!]
[Old soldiers never die!]
Our citizens love the Arican president this much.
I wonder how happy Ronald, who receives criticism every day in Arica, would be seeing this? It’s a great thing to warmly welco the president of an allied nation.
During an interview, one participant, overco with emotion, teared up, saying, “President Ronald will take care of everything. There’s hope, right? Hope.”
I’m not sure what he’s going to do, though…
Hyun-joo pointed at the screen.
“The spelling is wrong.”
“What?”
Looking closely, it’s not “never die” but “naver die.”
What does that an? The whole world might be watching; why hasn’t anyone pointed this out?
It wasn’t just a welcoming rally. Progressive organizations also gathered to hold protests against Ronald.
[“War-monger Ronald, step down!”]
[“Peace on the Korean Peninsula!”]
[“Lift sanctions against North Korea!”]
[“Abolish racist policies and anti-immigration policies!”]
So engaged in radical performances, tearing or burning the Arican flag, while others attempted to storm the U.S. Embassy but were stopped by the police.
Why are they acting like this? Even if there are Aricans who dislike Ronald, I doubt they would view such actions favorably.
“I’m glad Ellie isn’t Arican.”
In response, Ellie shook her head.
“What’s wrong with that? In a democratic country, it’s natural to express diverse voices.”
That’s true. For every supporter, there will be opponents.
Seeing the country this riled up over the U.S. President’s visit…
“Does that an Ronald is quite divisive?”
Taek-gyu chid in.
“In the U.S., isn’t it just dislike?”
“……”
That’s certainly the case.
***
President Ronald Stamper of the United States arrived in Korea on a private jet.
Given that this is the first visit of a president from the closest ally, he was welcod as a distinguished guest in Korea. President Park Si-hyeong personally went to the airport to greet him.
This isn’t their first eting. When Ronald was still the president-elect, Park rushed to the U.S. for a brief eting.
Since no one expected him to actually be elected, there was no one in the diplomatic circles familiar with Ronald. They even had to scramble to find relevant contacts.
Naturally, everyone believed it would be Diane and were only in contact with that side, which was similar across other countries.
Imdiately upon taking office, Ronald pressured Korea over trade deficits and defense cost-sharing, which beca a significant burden for Park.
Regardless of their thoughts, the two leaders warmly shook hands.
Ronald suddenly pulled Park’s hand tightly, almost causing him to stumble, and Ronald laughed while placing a hand on his shoulder.
Though it was a diplomatic faux pas, Park managed only an awkward smile without voicing any protest.
The two leaders walked amicably down the red carpet for all to see.
They then proceeded directly to the Blue House for an official welco ceremony.
Hundreds of soldiers from the army, navy, and air force were lined up, and official events such as the playing of their national anthems and a military salute were conducted.
During the subsequent state dinner, Park opened the conversation by ntioning their common background as businessn, to which Ronald replied that he was well aware of this fact.
Korean dia focused intensely on Ronald’s visit, keeping a close watch on the future of Korea-U.S. relations.
***
After finishing work and resting at ho, I received a phone call.
After confirming the ti and place, I hung up and imdiately drove to the Grand Palace Hotel in Namsan.
Unlike usual, security was tight right from the parking lot. It was the sa when I took the elevator.
Following the security guard’s guidance, I went up to the 20th floor.
On the 20th floor, Arican security personnel in suits were lined up in the hallway.
As expected, a thorough body search was standard procedure.
After undergoing a complete body check and handing over my phone, I was allowed inside. The room was over 100 pyeong in size, and the view of Namsan was breathtaking.
As I passed through the living room and entered the study, Ronald greeted warmly.
“It’s been a while, Mr. Kang. Is this the first ti since the inauguration ceremony?”
“Thank you for coming to Korea, Mr. President.”
Ronald gripped my hand tightly, almost painfully, and patted my shoulder vigorously.
“I’ve been hearing updates about you. Seems like things are still rocky with the Korean president.”
I gave a strained smile.
“I want to get along, but it’s not easy.”
If they would just refrain from provoking , there wouldn’t be any issues. Nevertheless, reconciliation seems difficult moving forward.
“Please, have a seat.”
Ronald sat on the sofa and instructed the security personnel.
“Leave us.”
When the guards hesitated, Ronald jokingly added,
“Why? Do you think I would lose if I fought this guy?”
“Understood.”
The security personnel left the living room, leaving just the two of us in the study.
The person in front of right now is the most powerful person in the world. How many can say they’ve t the President of the United States one-on-one?
Thinking about it, simply being here together is an incredible privilege.
Perhaps due to his busy schedule and ti zone differences, Ronald looked fatigued.
He’s already in his 70s. If he were anyone else, he’d have retired long ago and be enjoying ti with his grandchildren.
“You look tired,” I said.
Ronald sighed and replied, “Politics isn’t easy. If I hadn’t beco President, I would be lying comfortably in my penthouse right now.”
“You still need to run for re-election,” I responded casually.
I was just making conversation.
Since Bill Clinton, every U.S. President has succeeded in getting re-elected.
However, given Ronald’s current approval ratings, there’s talk about how finishing his remaining term would be a success, let alone being re-elected.
“What do you need for?” he asked, lifting a glass from his desk.
“I called you because drinking alone feels lonely, and I needed a drinking buddy. Is that alright?”
I thought there might be sothing important to discuss.
“Of course. Good drinks are better enjoyed together.”
“Haha, this friend knows a thing or two.”
Ronald poured bourbon whiskey into a glass and passed it to . We clinked our glasses lightly.
After a mont, he leaned back in his chair and murmured, “I’ve always played winning gas. I thought even failure was just part of the process toward success.”
Ronald’s greatest strength is his lack of fear toward new challenges.
When starting sothing new, various distractions will inevitably arise. However, once he decides on a course of action, he pushes through with drive until the end.
Despite any difficulties that arose during the process, I overca them without hesitation or faltering. Perhaps it is because of my positive and proactive personality that I am in this position today.
“When I decided to run for president, people thought it was just a stunt to gain fa. This was the sa even after becoming the Republican candidate. Nobody believed I would actually beco president, not even those working on my campaign.”
I took a sip of my drink.
“After all, I was trailing significantly in the polls.”
Ronald pointed at .
“But you were different.”
“What do you an?”
“You acted as if you were certain I would beco president.”
I nodded.
“I truly believed that.”
Ronald beca the president by winning in the Rust Belt. Underpinning that victory was the investnt from OTK Company.
I helped Ronald because I believed it would benefit us for him to beco president.
But was that all?
I recalled the elderly woman I t during the inauguration.
What if she had beco president?
Diane belonged to the Democratic mainstream and had been nominated as the successor to the forr president. With her political pedigree and extensive experience gained from serving as both a senator and secretary of state, she had substantial governance experience.
As both houses were controlled by the Democrats, she would have likely inherited the previous administration’s policies without much controversy.
However, everything changed when Ronald beca president.
If I hadn’t had the foresight, and therefore hadn’t supported Ronald, the current president of the United States would have been Diane Underwood, not Ronald Stamper.
So why did I see Ronald instead of Diane in my vision?
And how will that influence the future ahead?
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