I’ve had this question for a long time.
What is the true nature of this ability?
And why did I gain such an ability?
I still have not found the answer to that.
Thanks to Oracle, I was able to save my life and make money. Therefore, I believed that Oracle would lead me to the right future.
So, what about Ronald?
Would it truly be better for the future if Ronald, not Diane, became president?
Ronald raised his glass and said,
“I love America more than anyone else. America is the land of opportunities.”
Like most Americans, he was a descendant of immigrants. His grandfather, William Stamper, came to the Americas from Ireland, and his grandmother from Scotland.
William Stamper made a fortune in real estate, passing the business down to his son, and that son passed it again to his own son.
Both Ronald and Park Si-hyeong are presidents with entrepreneurial backgrounds, but there is a significant difference.
Park Si-hyeong was a salaried boss, while Ronald is a CEO and owner running a company named after himself.
Unlike Park Si-hyeong, who started from scratch, Ronald’s success was backed by his privileged upbringing. That said, erecting dozens of luxurious buildings across the country named ‘Stamper Tower’ was a testament to his capabilities.
He achieved great success in real estate. However, after facing significant failures due to the stock market crash and the real estate recession, he had a few setbacks.
However, as the recession ended and a boom began, the real estate market rebounded, and Stamper Corporation grew rapidly.
He was skilled in show business.
He knew better than anyone how to appeal to the public and attract their interest.
In the 2000s, he entered the broadcasting industry and created ‘The Ronald Show’ named after himself. Despite various concerns, the TV program featuring Ronald garnered over 20 million viewers, becoming a massive hit.
Other ventures also flourished. Thanks to his fame, the real estate business thrived, and he continued to expand into new areas using the Stamper brand.
He did not stop there, but plunged into politics.
It was not a congressional seat nor a Senate position; it was a presidential election. He, with no political experience, declared his intention to become president.
At first, everyone laughed. They thought it was just a stunt to gain fame. However, he broke everyone’s expectations and became the President of the United States.
Ronald put down his glass and looked at me.
“I told you I was sure I would become president, didn’t I?”
“Yes.”
“I have one question I want to ask.”
“What is it?”
Ronald paused for a moment before throwing out his question.
“Do you think I can be a great president?”
With that question, I understood why he called me out that late at night.
The American workers supported Ronald because they wanted change. In reality, since Ronald became president, not only the United States but the world has undergone significant changes.
America wields tremendous power globally and bears corresponding responsibilities. No nation on Earth can escape the influence of the United States, whether in military, economic, or cultural terms.
Ronald thought the sacrifice of America for the world was too great. Thus, he advocated for America First. Prioritizing American interests above all else.
This included demands for increased defense spending for NATO and U.S. troops in South Korea, withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, protectionist trade policies, and anti-immigrant measures, among others.
However, even Americans had doubts about whether these policies truly served the country.
The White House and Congress were consistently out of sync, and even mainstream Republicans and supporters turned their backs on him, leading to low approval ratings despite being in the early days of his presidency.
Domestically, he faced various scandals including the so-called “Russia Scandal” regarding Russian interference in the U.S. election, and internationally, leaders from Europe and South America stood against the U.S.
It was indeed a situation filled with enemies.
Like in business, he pushed passionately and combatively, but controversies kept erupting, and things were not progressing properly.
No matter how you look at Ronald, he can’t help but feel exhausted. Given his age, his stamina is not what it used to be.
Will he succeed in being re-elected as a successful president, or will he be chased out of politics like a failed president?
I thought deeply about this. This is an important issue for me as well.
Why Ronald and not Diane?
If Ronald becomes a failed president, I cannot escape responsibility either.
The reason Ronald was elected over Diane is that I supported him, and I supported him because I had a vision.
So, did that vision choose Ronald?
If my thinking is correct, there must be a reason that he had to become president.
“You will be a great president.”
“I see.”
Is it because I heard what I wanted to hear?
Ronald’s expression became noticeably lighter. He held up a bottle of alcohol.
“Want another drink?”
“Of course.”
***
The Korea-U.S. summit was a significant issue both domestically and internationally.
Despite Park Si-hyeong’s efforts, Ronald clearly stated his intentions regarding the increase in the cost of U.S. troops stationed in Korea and the revision of the Korea-U.S. FTA. This included sensitive issues like the designation of Korea as a currency manipulation monitoring country.
From our country’s perspective, these are all unwelcome matters. Even conservative media outlets published articles declaring it a diplomatic failure for the Park Si-hyeong administration.
President Ronald’s final schedule included a visit to the National Cemetery. Prior to that, a breakfast meeting with Korean business leaders was planned at the Grand Palace Hotel’s Diamond Hall.
Taek-gyu shook his head and said, “I’m not going.”
“Why not?”
“They say the press will be there, right? I don’t want my face out there.”
While my face was already well-known through press conferences, Taek-gyu’s face was hardly recognized. He even earned the nickname “the reclusive otaku.”
I’m not sure how this differs from being a hikikomori…
Regardless, even the best event is pointless if someone doesn’t want to go.
I respected Taek-gyu’s wishes and notified Ronald’s side in advance about his absence, seeking their understanding.
***
Early in the morning, cars carrying the executives headed towards Namsan one after another. The area around the hall was tightly guarded by security personnel.
A security check similar to those at the airport was conducted.
No attendee, including reporters, was exempt.
After going through the check, I entered the hall. While talking to someone, Chairman Im Jin-yong noticed me and approached quickly.
“It’s been a while, junior.”
“Nice to see you, senior.”
I exchanged greetings with him.
Chairman Im introduced the person next to him.
“This is Vice Chairman Jin Dong-min from the Retail Group.”
Then, the man who was just talking to Chairman Im greeted me.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Jin Dong-min.”
“Hello. I’m Kang Jin-hoo.”
He appeared to be in his late 40s, but he was actually in his early 60s. Perhaps due to his roots as a Korean resident in Japan, his pronunciation was a bit awkward.
After Chairman Jin Kyung-ho collapsed from a stroke, his older brother Jin Dong-soo and younger brother Jin Dong-min disputed the management rights of the Retail Group.
Ultimately, at the interim shareholders meeting, Jin Dong-min, leading Korean Retail, emerged victorious and took control of the group. With Chairman Jin Kyung-ho’s return to management being impossible, despite the title of vice-chairman, he was practically equivalent to the chairman.
As a side note, the Retail Group is known to have a close relationship with President Park Si-hyeong, particularly alongside the Eunsung Motor Group. This connection allowed them to receive various privileges, including duty-free shop licenses and large shopping mall constructions.
Inside the hall, dozens of people had already gathered. Most were elderly, and even the younger attendees were over their 40s.
Chairman Im Jin-yong was among the youngest there. Unsurprisingly, I was the only one in my 20s.
An elderly man with completely white hair and distinct wrinkles on his forehead approached me.
“It’s a pleasure to meet OTK Company Representative Kang Jin-hoo here. I’m Han Min-goo.”
I had seen him many times on TV, but this was my first time meeting him in person.
The old man is the chairman leading Eunsung Group, the second largest conglomerate.
I grasped the hand he extended.
“I am Kang Jin-ho.”
Chairman Han Ming-koo burst into laughter.
“Haha, we’ve had various connections over the years, and it’s finally great to meet you.”
More than connections, it feels like a wretched fate.
I smiled and replied, “Indeed. I’ve really wanted to meet you at least once.”
Chairman Han looked at me with a curious gaze. He wasn’t very large in stature, but for some reason, I felt a strong sense of pressure from him.
He is a living witness to the history of the Korean economy. His accumulated experience, know-how, connections across various sectors, and social influence are beyond my comparison.
After greeting, I found my pre-arranged seat.
“The President is entering.”
Everyone sitting in the hall stood up in unison. Then President Ronald made his appearance.
Ronald shook hands and exchanged greetings with each of the corporate chairmen. Among them was someone he had met during his business days. Back then, it might have been a meeting of business leaders, but now it’s a meeting between the President and a businessman.
Finally, it was my turn.
The meeting the other day was held in secret, so officially this is our first meeting after his inauguration.
“It’s great to see you again, Mr. President. I’m Kang Jin-ho from OTK Company.”
“Hello! My friend!”
Ronald took my hand and pulled me in for a hug, expressing a strong sense of intimacy.
This is how close I am to the President of the United States.
I hope conservative groups will tone down their protests in front of the OTK Company headquarters after seeing this.
Why do they protest so frequently without permission?
After the greetings concluded, everyone took their seats. Ronald put on earplugs and held the microphone in his hand.
When he spoke, simultaneous interpretation was conveyed through the earplugs. Those who weren’t proficient in English wore earplugs, while the rest simply listened.
Ronald began softly.
“I appreciate the South Korean business leaders gathering here, despite your busy schedules.”
However, as soon as the greeting ended, a stern reprimand followed.
“South Korean companies are achieving tremendous success in the United States. Every year, steel, automobiles, home appliances, and semiconductors produced in Korea are shipped to the U.S., returning with dollars.”
Everyone had expressions like delinquent students summoned to the principal’s office for reprimands. Compared to them, I felt like an exemplary student receiving praise.
Who else invests in the U.S. as diligently as I do?
Ronald’s tone grew increasingly intense.
“Due to the unfair practices of South Korean companies, American manufacturing is shutting down, leading to a flood of unemployed workers. Why are you making money in the U.S. market without building factories here and employing Americans? Why?”
The pressure on investment in the U.S. came crashing down like a tsunami.
This so-called economic forum was, in essence, a place to pressure South Korean business leaders to invest in America.
It felt like gathering market vendors to extort rent—not exactly a respectable comparison.
But if one is the President of the United States, such behavior is permissible. After all, the international order resembles the world of organized crime, where those in power dictate terms.
Ignoring these demands could obviously lead to disadvantages. Thus, it seemed everyone came prepared to be somewhat extorted.
As Ronald passed the microphone, the executives promptly unveiled the proposals they had prepared.
They promised to build factories in the U.S., increase investments, hire more staff in R&D centers, and purchase more American parts—essentially pledging to do more for America in every aspect.
Chairman Im Jin-yong emphasized that Seosung Group is establishing a battery factory in Indiana with OTK Company, declaring that the group would create a fund for investments in American partners.
Just summing up what had been presented, the investment amounts from South Korean firms to the U.S. were already more than double those from the previous five years.
Although we haven’t signed a contract or established an MOU right now, the people who spoke are the CEOs of large corporations, and the person who heard the words is the President of the United States.
If you’re not considering withdrawing from business in the U.S., you cannot go back on your word once it’s been said.
Only then did Ronald slightly relax his expression and said while clapping his hands,
‘Well then, let’s talk while we eat. This is a treat for you, who are investing in America, courtesy of the American taxpayers, so please don’t feel burdened and enjoy freely.’
It was a comment that radiated pressure.
Everyone’s faces were filled with stress. It felt like if one of them choked while eating, no one would even notice.
The soup made from American corn and prime-grade steaks made from American beef were served one after another.
Everyone was forcing smiles on their faces as they enjoyed the meal.
Ronald asked with a smile, ‘This steak is made from cattle raised healthy by American farmers. How does it taste?’
What a subtle promotion of American beef!
By the way, one of the demands for the revision of the Korea-U.S. FTA includes increasing the import volume of American agricultural and livestock products.
The CEOs all praised that it was delicious in unison.
Why can’t everyone just say they prefer Korean beef?
Hahaha