章 133: Chapter 133: Dynamic Korea
The new year of 1999 had arrived. After receiving treatment for a long time, Eva was discharged from the hospital and returned to the front lines.
Initially, the plan was to send her abroad for intensive psychiatric treatment, but Eva insisted on staying in Korea.
The hospital advised that the patient's wishes should be prioritized for her emotional stability.
In the end, Eva continued her treatment in Korea, as she wanted.
She had recovered from all her physical injuries, but she still needed a lot of time to heal mentally.
"Happy New Year, Chairman."
Meanwhile, I visited Chairman Song's house to greet him for the new year after a long time.
"It's been a while, Mu-hyeok. I barely see your face these days."
Despite being over eighty years old, Chairman Song still looked fit. Seeing him reminded me of my grandfather, and I felt uneasy.
My grandfather's health had taken a sharp turn for the worse. He could hardly move. I didn't know what the cause was, but it was progressing much faster than in his recent life.
"I've heard you've been busy lately. You seem to have more work than I do, Chairman."
After performing the customary New Year's bow, Chairman Song jokingly handed me a ten-thousand-won bill. I smiled and accepted the New Year's gift, folding it in half and holding it tightly in my hand.
"Is that Cheon Ga kid still the same?"
"He's getting weaker. Chief Ha is always glued to his side."
"That bastard Chief Ha must also be suffering…"
Currently, Chief Ha was the one by my grandfather's side, not his children.
I was grateful to Chief Ha for that.
"How's work? I hear you're close to Han Gyeong-yeong, the one who recently acquired Jungwoo Group."
"We got close by chance while he was in Korea, and we kept in touch even after he went to the U.S. I didn't expect him to find such success."
Han Gyeong-yeong had been frequently gracing the front pages of the newspapers recently.
He was better able to adhere to government policies than the other chaebols in Korea. His initial image as a 'foreigner with black hair' was also being diluted more and more.
Although the labor union had suffered oppression during the process of selling the companies, not a single line about it had been published in any major newspaper.
"Does he have any shares in Dream High?"
"Just a little. I invested in that chairman, and it's become quite a significant amount."
"People like him are hard to find. Our boys lack that kind of foresight. They only have greed."
"You just see them that way. Others don't think the same way. Lower your expectations."
"I'm not complaining about my expectations. I'm just envious of Cheon Ga."
Chairman Song seemed displeased, but his sons were quite capable in their own right.
They just couldn't measure up to Chairman Song's standards.
"By the way, how's Taesan Financial? That's one of your projects too, right?"
"Yes. I acquired a bank with Future Investments using my grandfather's slush fund. It's a bit too much for me to take the lead, though."
"Hoh… You seem to have struck gold in your old age."
Although he said that, Chairman Song wore a pleasant smile.
When Kim Hak-gwon took office, he had once again returned to front lines of business. He had recently staged a performance to show his willingness to bring cattle to North Korea.
I carefully probed him about his plans.
"Are you planning on continuing your North Korean projects?"
"Of course."
The amount of money needed for these North Korean projects was staggering, enough to shake even Daehyeon.
"You're the only one who has to do it."
Looking at it as a business opportunity, North Korean projects were honestly not worth the risk.
The return on investment was terrible, and the policies were even worse. They were not allies but rather the enemy.
It would only be years later that we would realize the implications of investing in North Korea while discussion around the North-South conflict remained unfinished.
For now, however, especially with the momentum behind President Kim Hak-gwon's strong diplomatic approach toward North Korea, it didn't present any problems…
If things continued like this, the Korean society would also suffer the same backlash from previous projects as soon as Chairman Song passed away.
"Who else would do it if I didn't? If I cleared a path for others to follow, they would eventually follow my lead. That's how it always works."
While Chairman Song spoke with pride, I, who knew the future, could only shake my head disapprovingly.
Without the help from China and Russia, money the was lost in North Korea might as well be blown away into the air.
As long as stability was guaranteed, it was a promising market.
North Korea was rich in mineral resources, including various rare earth minerals. China was already robbing them of their resources for next to nothing.
However, it wasn't the right time to do it.
"What's with the long face?"
"To be honest, I'm a bit concerned about the uncertain business prospects. I can't trust North Korea. It's too unpredictable."
"How long are you going to keep excluding the North? I hate Communists too. But we are the same ethnic group! If I've managed to find success, I can't just kick them out. They have to survive too!"
Chairman Song was also the type to spit when he heard the word 'Communist.'
He had experienced the Korean War, and Daehyeon was a representative company that had grown with the military dictatorship. He had probably grown up with anti-Communism deep in his bones.
The reason he was pushing for North Korean projects now was that his hometown was located there.
"I agree with you. I just think it's still a bit soon. We need at least some basic measures for protection. Do you expect them to be grateful just because you give them money?"
"Considering the firmness of this government's will, I think it'll be okay. Let's not continue discussing this issue."
I knew that I wouldn't be able to change Chairman Song's mind, but I still hoped he would at least think it over.
"I came all the way here to greet you for the new year, only to ruin the occasion."
"Not at all. I'm grateful, actually. No one speaks to me like this—neither at home nor in my company. But this is the last job I'm going to take. I want to finish this last job well."
I also stopped bringing up the topic of the North Korean projects.
"Have you been in touch with Ji-soo and Ji-su?""
"Yes. I call them from time to time to check in."
"If you're meeting with a girl, you better get a good one. The ones I meet are all shit. Tch. You should hang on to Ji-soo."
She was not someone I should have pursued.
After entering college, Song Hyun-ji soon gained a boyfriend.
She was free-spirited, which was why I left things as they were between us. I ended up treating her like a little sister.
I had no regrets about that.
Would Song Hyun-ji have been happy with me if we had gotten together?
I wasn't sure of the answer to that, but I could confidently say that it wouldn't have worked out anyway. I had too many enemies, too many things to do, and too many things to protect.
"What about Hyun-soo?"
We sometimes drank together. He had told me that he had just been promoted recently.
Chairman Song didn't give his grandchildren high positions without letting them learn the ropes from the bottom up first. He made them start from the bottom, hiding the fact that they were his grandsons. He believed they had to learn the basics properly first before moving on to better jobs.
After his passing, however, that tradition would probably fall to the wayside… It was admirable.
"In twenty years… No, in just ten years, you will have to lead the economy of Korea. You need to make friends with people from all walks of life. You still don't get along with Il-sung, do you?""
After my grandfather's health began to decline, I contacted Cheon Ji-won and Cheon Ji-su..
It was uncomfortable, but they were also my grandfather's family.
However, they never once came to visit him.
Chairman Song just smiled at me and shook his head, saying nothing further.
"I should take my leave now. I will visit you again. Keep a good balance between work and health. You need to stay healthy for a long time."
"Hoh… I will be counting on you then."
It was a busy new year's holiday because I had to greet many people in the new year.
* * *
After being discharged from the hospital, Eva called for all the executives to gather in the conference room.
The executives, who were mostly appointed by Baek Seong-jin, were just a front. The real power in Taesan Financial belonged only to him.
When the executives entered the conference room, they sensed that something was off. Eva's face was usually bright and lively, but today, it was as stiff as a board.
Baek Seong-jin, acting as the spokesperson for the group, cautiously attempted to break the ice.
"It's been a while. I'm glad to see you back and healthy."
"Director Baek."
"Yes, President."
"While I was away, you all did something fun behind my back. I told you to focus only on Taesan Financial."
The atmosphere grew even colder.
"Let's ask just one question."
Eva lightly nodded her head as if to say 'go ahead' to Baek Seong-jin.
"Why do you insist on calling the company Taesan Financial? Is it true that you named it after the Chairman of Cheon Tae-san as the rumors say?"
"What does it have to do with you? Just do your job. You don't need to be curious about other people's affairs."
"Ha… I—"
Speechless, Baek Seong-jin opened his mouth as if wanting to say something.
Looking at him expressionlessly, Eva's voice lowered further.
"Director Baek Seong-jin, the reason I hired you is that I do not know much about Korea. However, if you want to wield power in this company as you please, that is a different story."
"That's not what I meant."
"I turned a blind eye to your past abuses of power for your own sake, but you've gone too far with Taesan Financial."
While Eva was away, the name Kim Mu-hyeok had reached the ear of the Mofia members in the Ministry of Strategy and Finance.
It was rumored in the Blue House that Kim Mu-hyeok was quite close to va.
Though he was a name I had just heard, the chairman of Cheon Tae-san was a well-known fi.
It didn't take much to guess how the name Taesan Financial came about.
However, he couldn't figure out that the chairman of Future Investments was Kim Mu-hyeok.
"I can't approve the name Taesan Financial. Didn't you say you wanted to create the best bank in Korea? Why do you want to name it after a loan shark?"
Eva snorted derisively.
"Do I look like I'm asking for your approval?"
Eva usually spoke politely to even her low-ranking employees, but she had now suddenly resorted to vulgar language.
Surprised, Baek Seong-jin froze in shock.
"Who do you think you are, telling me what I can and cannot approve? Do you think I see you as some puppet I can control just because you're always smiling?"
"… "
Baek Seong-jin's face turned red with humiliation. Eva, looking around the table as if searching for someone, continued speaking.
"Your role is to facilitate my work in Korea. I'm not looking for employees to report to me. I hired you to make my work easier."
"Isn't that too much?"
Baek Seong-jin shouted in anger.
Surprisingly, Eva, who had been consistently wearing a stiff expression, smiled at his words.
"Too much? Want me to show you what is worse?"
Eva's secretary, who was standing next to her, handed a document to Director Baek.
"Dynamic Korea! It seems like there are many different ways to make money out of it…"
Eva spread her arms wide as if she found it interesting.
Receiving the file with a puzzled look on his face, Baek Seong-jin took out the documents from inside.
His eyes began to shake.
"Did you think I wouldn't know? I'm sorry to hear you look down on me so much."
"… Director."
Though Baek Seong-jin called out to Eva, she ignored him and continued speaking to the other directors.
"All of you are the same. Not a single one of you was missing from this."
Seeing the other executives perspiring from being addressed by her, Eva snickered.
"I wanted to ignore this as a minor mishap. Since your organization has a tendency to spend money like that and to cover up mistakes, I'm guessing such things are bound to happen. Mistakes happen, and I get it, but at least do your job properly. Why should I be paying you if I have to do everything myself?"
Although my smile was bright, it was a sharp tone like a knife stabbing them.
"What should I do, Director Baek? Should I ask you to return all the money you've taken so far and submit yourself for investigation by the Prosecutor's Office?"
"Do you really think I can't work without the help of Mofia?"
Baek Seong-jin tried to use the Mofia to threaten Eva, but that was futile.
"Good luck with that, No Matter how much your influence has decreased, it is worth a try to find out if the Mofia is still following your lead. The Mofia was still following your lead in recent years."
Just as he tried, his attempts to find those behind Eva had yielded no result. It looked as though anyone who wanted information had worked hard to get it. This meant it was difficult to know her business dealings.
He was forced to conclude that it was difficult to suppress Eva even in that aspect.
"… "
He also realized that the sheer power of Eva's money was stronger than his influence.
"You will do what you're told and do the work for which you were paid. If you refuse, we can see who is better—your Mofia or me."
Eva shook her head as she looked at them with her arms crossed. Changed completely from before, faced with no other option, Baek Seong-jin lowered his head and conceded.
"I'm sorry. I overstepped my boundaries."
"I'll give you one last chance. Taesan Financial is important, but it is only the beginning. I want you to investigate everything about the sale and merger of the banks in detail. Don't leave any stones unturned."
Eva wanted more than just two banks.
"Director Baek, please leave the room."
The executives exchanged glances with each other before walking out of the conference room, dragging their feet.
"Director Baek. I would like to trust your judgment. But my investors don't trust you."
"… Who are your investors?"
Baek Seong-jin asked, but Eva continued as if she hadn't heard him.
"You got away with it this time, but if this happens again… I can't guarantee your safety. Maybe you should let the law take its course. You know what I mean?"
Cold sweat dripped down Baek Seong-jin's back.
"I will bear that in mind."
"Now, go."
Breaking his bow, Baek Seong-jin left the conference room.
The sound of the heavy wooden door closing was heard.
In the blinds-covered conference room, the fluorescent lights were bright but Eva's hands began to tremble as she was left alone.
The trauma was still fresh in her mind.
"… I will do anything for my boss."
Only Eva's whisper remained in the conference room.
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