Golden Spoon Investment Portfolio - Chapter 37

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

37. If we fail to root out these fellows this time, there won’t be another opportunity.

Blue House, Seoul.
In the early morning, a black Grandeur came to a halt before the main building of the Blue House.
As Defense Minister Jeon Deok-jae stepped out of the car, a familiar staff member from the secretariat approached and bowed respectfully.

“Welcome, Minister. The President is at the residence. I’ve been instructed to escort you there.”
“Let’s go.”
“Please follow me.”

Following the secretariat staff member ahead, Defense Minister Jeon Deok-jae proceeded with long, purposeful strides.
After walking along a promenade lined on both sides by beautifully maintained, towering garden trees, the residence came into view, surrounded by high walls.
The reason Minister Jeon had come to the Blue House so early in the morning was that he had a breakfast appointment scheduled with President Kim Sung-gyu, who had recently taken office.
Upon entering the residence, which was constructed in the style of a traditional Korean house with blue-tiled roof, Minister Jeon Deok-jae was guided to a grand dining hall.
The dining hall was spacious enough to comfortably accommodate more than a dozen people dining together, and its windows, crafted in a traditional lattice pattern, showcased an elegant design that honored the aesthetic of traditional Korean architecture.
Moreover, thick carpet covered the floor, and a gleaming chandelier hung from the ceiling, adding an air of sophistication.

“Please wait a moment. The President will be out shortly.”
“Understood.”

Minister Jeon Deok-jae nodded at the staff member’s words and took a seat at the empty round table.
About five minutes passed.
Then one of the doors opened, and President Kim Sung-gyu, dressed in a white shirt, entered with his close aide Chief Secretary Gu Hyung-gi.
Seeing this, Minister Jeon Deok-jae quickly rose to greet the President.

“Sorry for calling you at such an early hour.”
“Not at all.”
“I hear the breakfast menu is sujebi. Does that suit you?”
“Though it’s spring, the mornings and evenings are still quite chilly. A warm bowl of sujebi at times like these is truly satisfying.”

Minister Jeon Deok-jae skillfully responded, catering to President Kim Sung-gyu’s preferences.

“Indeed. Please, sit.”

Chief Secretary Gu Hyung-gi and Minister Jeon Deok-jae took seats facing each other on either side of President Kim Sung-gyu, who sat in the center.
Soon, Blue House staff members wearing aprons entered, bringing chewy sujebi seasoned with anchovy broth and an array of side dishes, which they arranged on the round table before quietly withdrawing.

“Come now, everyone, eat up.”

President Kim Sung-gyu lifted his spoon first, taking a mouthful of the homemade sujebi broth from which wisps of steam rose delicately.

“The broth has excellent depth to it.”

As President Kim Sung-gyu’s expression showed satisfaction, Chief Secretary Gu Hyung-gi spoke at once.

“The stock was made from anchovies your father sent from Geoje Island, sir.”
“Ah, is that so? No wonder the broth tastes so rich.”

President Kim Sung-gyu’s father was renowned as a wealthy magnate on Geoje Island, owning a fleet of anchovy fishing boats.
Because of this, whenever holidays came around during his political activities, he would gift the anchovies his father sent him to faction members and acquaintances.
After finishing his meal while exchanging various light conversation, President Kim Sung-gyu took a sip of the coffee served for dessert.
He then set down his cup and turned his gaze toward Minister Jeon Deok-jae, who sat to his left.

“The reason I asked to meet like this this morning is that I have an important directive to issue.”

As President Kim Sung-gyu broached the main subject, Minister Jeon Deok-jae straightened his posture, his expression growing slightly tense.

“What is it, sir?”

After a brief pause, President Kim Sung-gyu opened his mouth with a distinctly grave tone.

“I intend to replace the Army Chief of Staff and the Defense Security Command commander today. Tell me who you think would be suitable successors.”
“…!”

Confronted with this shocking directive he had never anticipated, Minister Jeon Deok-jae froze entirely, his eyes wide open.
The Army Chief of Staff and Defense Security Command commander the president had just mentioned were core members of Hanahoe, the military’s underground organization, so his reaction was inevitable.
When Minister Jeon Deok-jae glanced quickly at Chief Secretary Gu Hyung-gi across from him, he was already sitting calmly without any change in expression, as if he had known beforehand.
From the moment the president suddenly suggested sharing breakfast together, he had sensed something was afoot.
But Minister Jeon Deok-jae, who had never dreamed it would be something of this magnitude, swallowed hard and spoke carefully.

“Your Excellency. These two men are core members of Hanahoe.”
“That’s precisely why I intend to reorganize.”
“The two former presidents will certainly object, and Hanahoe’s resistance will be considerable.”

As he expressed his concerns indirectly, President Kim Sung-gyu’s brows furrowed.

“Are you saying a second 12.12 Incident will occur?”

Under the President’s gaze, Jeon Deok-jae hesitated before finally finding his voice.

“As the Minister responsible for the military, I must apologize, but yes—that is the case.”

It was shameful for a Defense Minister to admit, yet it reflected the bitter reality.
Though military rule had ended and civilian government had brought peaceful transition of power, Hanahoe—the military’s shadow organization—still maintained its iron grip over the armed forces.
In such circumstances, it was only natural that the President’s move to confront Hanahoe would raise fears of a military coup.
As heavy silence settled over the restaurant, President Kim Sung-gyu turned to Jeon Deok-jae and spoke.

“Listen, Minister Jeon.”
“Yes, Mr. President.”
“Who am I?”

At this sudden question, Jeon Deok-jae studied the President’s expression before answering.

“You are the President, sir.”
“Exactly. I am the President chosen by the people. Should I cower before those Hanahoe bastards, trembling in fear of a military coup? This is unacceptable!”
“….”
“You know what that former Defense Minister spouted at his press conference two days before my inauguration, don’t you?”

At the President’s words, Jeon Deok-jae, a military man himself, lowered his head in shame.
Two days before the inauguration.
Choi Gu-chang, the former Defense Minister, had summoned reporters and held a press conference, elaborating at length on how the military’s future direction and structure should be organized.
Naturally, it was a reckless move made without any prior consultation with President Kim Sung-gyu, the Transition Committee, or anyone else.
Choi Gu-chang’s statement, boiled down to its essence, amounted to a declaration that Hanahoe would continue to manage and command the military.
It was nothing short of an open provocation by Hanahoe against the incoming civilian government.

‘They’re attempting to domesticate the President and the civilian government from the outset, ensuring no one dares touch them.’

The problem was that despite understanding this, Hanahoe’s influence was so formidable that any hasty action seemed impossible.

“If I become a puppet president unable to command even the military, I would sooner resign and leave the Blue House this very day.”

Seeing the President’s resolve to dismantle Hanahoe already hardened, Jeon Deok-jae sighed and offered an alternative approach.

“Mr. President, might it not be wiser to complete thorough preparations first, rather than act hastily, before you draw your blade?”

President Kim Sung-gyu immediately shook his head.

“Have you forgotten? After the 10.26 Incident, Army Chief of Staff Jung Il-woo attempted to quietly purge the Hanahoe faction, only to be purged himself by the coup forces instead.”

It was former President Jeon Doo-soo who had led the coup forces centered around Hanahoe at that time.

“Now, while they’re caught off guard by the initial threat, this is our golden opportunity to dismantle Hanahoe with minimal bloodshed.”
“…There is a risk of bloodshed among our own forces, sir.”

President Kim Sung-gyu’s expression hardened at Minister Jeon Deok-jae’s concerned words.

“I am prepared for that. Even if there are unfortunate casualties, it is absolutely necessary to restore national discipline and complete democratization.”

Then he turned to Minister Jeon Deok-jae and spoke.

“Your task is to minimize conflict and reduce casualties.”
“….”
“Can you do it?”

The weighty question pressed down upon me like a heavy burden.
After a moment of silence, Minister Jeon Deok-jae answered with resolute determination.

“If it is for the nation, I will stake my life on it.”
“I knew you would say that.”

President Kim Sung-gyu, satisfied, asked again.

“Do you have suitable candidates for Army Chief of Staff and Defense Security Command?”

These two positions were among the most critical posts within the military, having been held exclusively by Hanahoe members throughout the military regime without exception.
Though command authority had been transferred to the Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman years ago, the Army Chief of Staff still wielded tremendous influence as the highest-ranking military official.
The Defense Security Command, successor to the Security Command, had wielded absolute power by controlling intelligence both within and outside the military.
Former President Jeon Doo-soo, who led Hanahoe, was able to launch his coup and seize power precisely because he controlled the Security Command.
Knowing this well, President Kim Sung-gyu had specifically designated the Army Chief of Staff and the Defense Security Command as the primary targets for the first purge.
Given the critical importance of these positions, Minister Jeon Deok-jae deliberated carefully before speaking.

“General Kim Dong-hae, currently serving as Deputy Commander of the Korea-US Combined Forces Command, would be suitable for Army Chief of Staff, and Colonel Woo Ha-yong, the Defense Security Command Chief of Staff, would be appropriate for Defense Security Commander.”
“Are they men you can trust?”

Not only was the stability of the regime at stake, but democracy itself—hard-won through blood and sweat—risked withering before it could fully bloom, only to plunge the nation back into the darkness of military dictatorship. Caution was the only option.

“He possesses both capability and, most importantly, I can personally vouch that he has no connection whatsoever to Hanahoe.”

At the mention of having no ties to Hanahoe, President Kim Sung-gyu gave a small nod, as if he needed to hear nothing more.

“Good. We’ll go with those two. Have them come to the Blue House so we can make the appointments immediately.”
“Right now, sir?”

Jeon Deok-jae worried it might be too abrupt, but President Kim Sung-gyu remained unwavering in his resolve.

“The success of this operation depends on not giving those Hanahoe bastards time to respond—we finish it swift and decisive.”

Seeing the President’s jaw set firm and resolute, Minister Jeon Deok-jae nodded with steely determination.

“Understood. I’ll contact them immediately.”
“And don’t forget to maintain security so they don’t catch wind of anything.”
“Yes, sir.”

Chief Secretary Gu Hyung-gi, who had been listening quietly to the conversation, rose from his seat and retrieved a landline telephone from a shelf in the dining area, placing it on the table.

“You can use this phone.”

Minister Jeon Deok-jae exchanged a subtle glance and immediately picked up the receiver, calling the Korea-US Combined Forces Command located at Yongsan US Military Base.
As Minister Jeon Deok-jae made the call, President Kim Sung-gyu snapped his fingers, and Chief Secretary Gu Hyung-gi quickly produced a cigarette and lit it for him.
Leaning back in his chair, President Kim Sung-gyu drew the white smoke deep into his lungs, then exhaled it slowly.
Though his face remained composed and impassive, his mind churned with tension beneath the surface.
This was about dismantling Hanahoe—the organization that had long monopolized military power and wielded control over the nation’s fate.
To claim he felt no anxiety or unease would be a lie.
Yet despite his doubts, this action was essential to complete democratization and ensure the regime’s proper course forward. He could not turn away or delay.
The die had already been cast.
President Kim Sung-gyu steadied his wavering resolve, holding the cigarette between his fingers as he murmured softly to himself.

“That’s right. If we don’t purge Hanahoe this time, we’ll never get another chance.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————