noffsinger Chapter 568: CH569
Chapter 568: CH569
January 20, 2001 — Washington, D.C.
Rain had fallen late into the night, leaving the city damp from end to end, though fortunately it had stopped for now.
Even so, the sky was covered with a low blanket of dark clouds, as if it might start pouring again at any moment.
Through the window of the black Cadillac Escalade driving down the road, the dome of the Capitol—where the presidential inauguration would soon take place—came into view.
Leaning comfortably into the plush seat, Chairman Park Tae-hong glanced outside and spoke.
"Looks like it could start raining any minute again."
Madam Jo Deok-rye, dressed in a custom two-piece suit from a renowned Korean designer, a soft cashmere coat, and a bright silk scarf draped around her neck, replied with concern.
"What if it starts raining in the middle of the ceremony? It's being held outdoors."
Seok-won, seated across from them, simply shrugged.
"It would be better if the rain held off, but even if it does fall, they'll go on with it unless it's a downpour. A drizzle won't stop them."
Chairman Park Tae-hong nodded, agreeing.
"This event has drawn major political and business figures from all over the world, not just the United States. And tens of thousands of supporters must have gathered as well. They can't call off a national ceremony like this just because of a bit of rain."
"Well, that's true."
Madam Jo smiled faintly and looked fondly at her younger son.
"To think I'd ever be attending a U.S. presidential inauguration after receiving a VIP invitation. Life really does bring unexpected moments."
Her emotional tone made Seok-won reply with a casual air.
"It's not your first time attending an inauguration. Haven't you been to several Blue House banquets?"
"That was for the Korean president. Who would've imagined I'd be flying overseas for something like this?"
She waved her hand dismissively, and Park Tae-hong added from beside her:
"She's right. This is the inauguration of the president of the United States—the most powerful office in the world. They don't just let anyone attend. And to be invited as a VIP at that."
Seeing how his father emphasized the word VIP with special enthusiasm, clearly delighted by the honor, Seok-won had to stifle a laugh.
"Now that you mention it, I heard dozens of senior lawmakers from both parties flew to Washington just to attend the inauguration."
"Yes. Apparently, there's quite an uproar back home because so many legislators left their posts during the parliamentary session to come to the United States."
"It's an important event, but the public probably won't see it in a positive light."
Listening to his parents talk, Seok-won spoke in a laid-back tone.
"They may have come all the way to Washington despite the criticism, but getting into the ceremony itself won't be easy."
"What do you mean by that?"
Madam Jo asked, puzzled.
"Unlike Korea, guns are legal in the United States. There's always a risk of an assassination attempt. Without an official invitation, neither the police nor the Secret Service will let anyone near the inauguration grounds."
"Oh my. Even if they're members of parliament?"
"They might throw their weight around with those badges back home, but here it means nothing. If they're lucky, they might get a spot out in the plaza, but there's no chance they'll get into the VIP area or anywhere near the front."
Chairman Park Tae-hong joined in.
"Seok-won's right. I heard even the chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries donated ten thousand dollars and barely managed to secure a seat near the front."
Madam Jo's eyes widened.
"Then how much would someone have to pay to sit in the VIP section like us?"
"Oh no, no. Money alone can't buy those seats."
Chairman Park Tae-hong replied with a proud grin.
"Those seats aren't just for the top people in American politics and business. Even for foreign diplomatic delegations, there aren't enough. Ordinary attendees can't even get close. Someone like Woo Chunil, the chief presidential secretary who came as a special envoy, might get a seat on the platform—but that's about it."
"To think we were invited to sit in such an extraordinary place… we really do have an amazing son."
At his mother's proud look, Seok-won smiled awkwardly.
Just then, the sound of commotion outside caught their attention. All three turned their heads toward the window.
On one side of the wide road, supporters of President George W. Bush—bundled in heavy coats—were walking in a long line toward the venue to celebrate the inauguration. On the opposite side, protesters holding placards were shouting fiercely from behind the police barricades.
"THIS ELECTION WAS STOLEN!"
"GEORGE THE RACIST AND ANTI-GAY BIGOT—GO BACK TO TEXAS!"
"COUNT THE VOTES AGAIN!"
The conflict sparked by the recount controversy during the election was still palpable everywhere.
Police officers in uniform and FBI agents stood at intervals of two to three meters, while protesters holding placards shouted loudly from behind waist-high metal fences.
Watching the scene through the car window, Chairman Park Tae-hong spoke in a subdued voice.
"With that many protesters gathered, governing the country for the next four years won't be easy."
Seok-won, who knew well how many shocking events would occur during President George's term, nodded gravely.
"It won't be."
A presidential inauguration was supposed to be filled with joy and hope, yet Washington, D.C. was split in two by thousands of demonstrators.
As if that weren't enough, President George seemed to lack even the blessing of good weather. By the time they neared the venue, a light drizzle had begun to fall.
As the vehicle entered the west plaza access road leading to the Capitol grounds, the atmosphere grew even more tense.
Police officers in black rain ponchos and Secret Service agents in sunglasses and earpieces stood with fierce eyes, forming layer upon layer of barricades and strictly controlling every vehicle and person trying to enter the venue.
Seeing this, Park Tae-hong clicked his tongue softly.
"Security really is tight—must be because of the crowds of protesters."
"That, and presidents have been assassinated before. Plus, considering all the chaos during this election, they're being extra careful," Seok-won replied.
The Cadillac Escalade carrying the three of them slowed to a stop at a Secret Service agent's hand signal.
A rain-soaked agent approached the driver's side and tapped lightly on the window. Bocuss, who was driving, rolled it down.
The agent scanned the passengers with sharp eyes before speaking in a firm voice.
"May I see your invitations and identification, please?"
From the passenger seat, Manager Han Jisung handed over the IDs and invitations he had prepared in advance.
The agent first inspected the invitations, then carefully checked whether the photos on Bocuss's driver's license and the four passports matched the faces inside the vehicle.
Meanwhile, other agents brought over detection dogs, guiding them around the vehicle to sniff for any explosives.
After that, using a long rod with a mirror attached at the end, they checked underneath the car, making sure not to miss a single spot.
Once all procedures were complete, the agent returned the documents and stepped back with a short instruction.
"You may proceed."
He raised one hand, giving the signal, and the barricade blocking the path slid aside.
Bacus eased the Escalade forward again and entered the event grounds.
The designated parking area was already filled with cars. Rows of luxury sedans stretched in every direction.
As soon as Bocuss parked, Manager Han Jisung stepped out quickly, opened an umbrella, and held the rear door open.
Emerging with his parents, Seok-won grabbed his own umbrella, opened it, and held it high as he looked toward the distant raised platform.
"Looks like we'll have to walk the rest of the way."
"Hmm. I suppose so."
Chairman Park Tae-hong lifted his head slightly and looked up at the sky, which had grown even darker than when they'd left the hotel.
"With the rain getting heavier, I'm not sure they'll be able to hold the inauguration properly."
"Exactly. Good thing we listened to Seok-won and dressed warmly. Otherwise, we'd be shivering by now."
The cold had dropped enough that their breath turned white with every word. With the rain coming down as well, the chill cut even deeper.
Holding his umbrella with gloved hands, Seok-won glanced around. The area was crowded with dignitaries and reporters from the United States and all over the world.
And if the VIP section, which required special invitations, was this packed, it was obvious without even seeing that the general seating area would be far worse.
Just then, amid the tightly packed crowd, a familiar Korean voice called out.
"Chairman Park! I didn't expect to see you here."
Turning his head, Seok-won saw Choi Dong-cheol, the new chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries and head of the Dusol Group, approaching with his entourage, wearing a bright smile.
Since they were the same age and long acquainted, Chairman Park greeted him warmly.
"Good to see you here. Makes the place feel even more familiar."
"Haha, indeed."
After exchanging a brief greeting with Madam Jo, who stood beside Park Tae-hong, Choi Dong-cheol spotted Seok-won, and his eyes lit up.
"So you came as well."
"It's been a while. Good to see you, Chairman."
"Good to see you too. Though honestly, I haven't been doing well. Running the group was already enough trouble, but now that I'm handling FKI affairs on top of that, my head's about to explode."
He joked dramatically, and Park Tae-hong shot back with a laugh.
"So who forced you into taking the chairmanship? Don't complain to me."
"Oh come on. Everyone's too busy worrying about their own problems—no one wanted to take it. But we couldn't just leave the seat empty."
Choi Dong-cheol grumbled with a theatrical sigh.
At that moment, Oh Seung-kwon, Honorary President of the New Democratic Alliance, stepped forward.
"It's been a while, Chairman Park."
"Honorary President Oh, you're here for the inauguration as well."
Oh Seungkwon extended his hand first, and the two men shook hands.
Then his gaze shifted to Seok-won.
"I've heard a great deal about you, but this must be the first time we're meeting in person."
"It's an honor to meet you. I'm Park Seok-won."
Seok-won greeted him with a respectful yet confident demeanor.
"I've heard about you," Oh Seungkwon said. "In the midst of the foreign exchange crisis, they say you've been a great help to the country."
The honorary chairman studied him with keen interest, as if trying to see straight through him.
"I like capable young people like you. I hope we'll have the chance to meet more often."
People around them looked surprised. Oh Seungkwon had been a political heavyweight for decades, having survived from the days of the military regime and consistently ranked among the strongest presidential contenders based on his support in his home region of Chungcheong Province. It was rare for him to approach someone first with this sort of warmth.
But the surprise didn't last long.
The moment people remembered who Seok-won was, their reactions softened to understanding. He was the richest man in the world, a figure said to hold Wall Street in the palm of his hand. His drawing such attention was only natural.
As they continued exchanging greetings with the ten or so senior lawmakers who had come with them, the heavy rain gradually began to ease.
"I worked so hard to get an invitation and come here, but my seat is terrible. Even in the VIP area, I'm far from the platform, and the wind and rain are making it miserable."
Chairman Choi Dong-cheol grumbled, and the lawmakers beside him wore matching expressions of annoyance.
"You're telling me."
"This is unacceptable. Is this how they treat us?"
"What is the embassy even doing? Shouldn't they have arranged something for us?"
Complaints like that might work back home, where they could parade around with their parliamentary badges, but here in the United States, they were simply part of the countless foreign guests who had traveled to attend the ceremony.
"So, Chairman Park, where are your seats?"
When Choi Dong-cheol asked, Chairman Park Tae-hong and his wife exchanged an awkward glance. Unlike the others, they had VIP invitations thanks to their son, and weren't sure how to answer politely.
Just then, a tall white man wearing a long coat and a red security badge approached and addressed Seok-won directly.
"Are you Chairman Park Seok-won?"
"Yes, I am."
"My name is Jackson Doyle. I work for the White House Chief of Staff's office."
After a courteous nod, he gestured ahead.
"I'll guide you to the VIP seats near the platform."
He then held out an additional badge.
"And please make sure to keep this on until the event is over."
Seok-won accepted the badge, handed one to his parents, and placed his own around his neck.
"The ceremony begins in thirty minutes. Let's head to your seats now."
Chairman Park Tae-hong cleared his throat, glancing at Chairman Choi Dong-cheol and the lawmakers, whose eyes were wide with shock at the sudden turn of events.
"Ahem. Well then, we'll be heading in first."
"Oh? Ah… yes, of course."
Choi Dong-cheol nodded, still looking dazed.
The lawmakers beside him remained frozen, mouths hanging open, unable to fully grasp what had just happened.
Chairman Park Tae-hong did his best to hide the grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. After offering a polite nod, he walked away with his wife and son at his side.
Choi Dong-cheol stared blankly at the three figures as they moved closer to the platform where the presidential oath would be administered. Then he let out a dry, disbelieving laugh.
"Well, I'll be damned. Seating on the platform."
One of the lawmakers turned to Honorary Chairman Oh Seungkwon and asked:
"Isn't the platform where only U.S. senators and foreign envoys barely manage to get seats?"
"My goodness. I knew Chairman Park's son was influential, but I didn't realize it was on this level."
"I heard rumors he was close to President George, but now it seems those rumors were true."
Listening to the murmurs around him, Oh Seungkwon also watched Seok-won's retreating figure with a look of genuine admiration.
"That young man… it seems he's an even bigger figure than I imagined."