Throughout the meal, Ronald passionately explained his policies and the reasons for investing in the United States.
Although everyone already knew this information, the chairmen nodded vigorously in agreement.
He mentioned that American workers are diligent and sincere, that the state government would actively support businesses, and that corporate taxes would be significantly lowered soon, among other points.
Then he threw in his characteristic outrageous humor, and this time, the chairmen forced a laugh. After the breakfast ended, Ronald moved to the National Cemetery for his final schedule.
As Ronald left, the previously cheerful atmosphere of the dining room quickly turned heavy.
The expressions on the chairmen’s faces were filled with concern. They were likely calculating the pros and cons of investing in the U.S. in their heads.
Some of the chairmen glanced at me. In their gaze, there seemed to be blame for making Ronald the president.
“……”
Maybe it’s just my imagination?
Just as I was about to get up, Chairman Han Min-goo approached me.
“I hope we can set up a meeting soon, Mr. Kang. If there are any misunderstandings, it would be good to resolve them, wouldn’t it?”
I slowly managed a smile.
“Well, is there really anything to misunderstand?”
It’s not a misunderstanding; it’s certainty.
President Park Si-hyeong and Chairman Han Min-goo are essentially in the same boat. The various pressures imposed on OTK Company likely involve him as well.
Above all, he must know how my father passed away…
Chairman Han Min-goo laughed out loud.
“Then that’s a relief. I’ll contact you separately later.”
At the main entrance of the Grand Palace Hotel, a line of black sedans was waiting. The chairmen got into their respective cars.
Chairman Im Jin-yong asked,
“Are you heading straight to the office?”
“Yes.”
“The direction is the same, so how about we ride together?”
The headquarters of Seosung Group and OTK Company are close enough to walk.
I pointed to a white Panamera wedged between black sedans.
“I drove here myself.”
“Then I’ll get a ride in your car. I’d appreciate it if you could take me to Seosung Group headquarters.”
“Let’s do that.”
Chairman Im Jin-yong got into the passenger seat.
I sat in the driver’s seat and started the car. Chairman Im smiled, seeming amused.
“Everyone must be troubled by the U.S. investment issue. They can’t invest at a loss.”
The reason Korean conglomerates have not actively invested in the U.S. is that it isn’t profitable.
Since businesses aim to generate profits, if it seems profitable, they’ll dive in despite objections, and if it doesn’t, no amount of pushing will make them move.
This was also the reason why Business Friendly initiatives failed.
Park Si-hyeong believed that if large corporations’ profits were increased through various pro-business policies, they would reinvest that money and invigorate the economy.
However, as large corporations’ profits increased, small businesses’ profits decreased, leading corporations to hesitate in investing due to stagnant domestic demand.
“The key issue in the revision of the Korea-U.S. FTA is automobiles, so Eunsung Motors will take the biggest hit.”
I chuckled.
“That’s a big problem. Then PAS, the cooperating company, will also be affected.”
The revision of the Korea-U.S. FTA is a loss for the country, but it’s also a personal loss for Park Si-hyeong.
Given Park Si-hyeong’s character, he may be willing to tolerate national losses, but he absolutely cannot accept personal losses.
Chairman Im nodded in agreement.
“So, I had to bring up the additional opening of agricultural and livestock products to somehow block the amendments, but my opponent was tough.”
The strategy was to give up agricultural products while protecting the automobile sector. However, the opponent was Ronald Stampler, a master negotiator.
Ronald demanded the revision of the Korea-U.S. FTA, linking it to the additional opening of agricultural products.
“Aren’t you worried about Seosung Group?”
“The electronics side is no problem. For the next few years, demand will exceed supply in semiconductors. In fact, we’re hoping that SB can take advantage of the construction of the U.S. battery factory to surpass CL Chemicals.”
Subsidies for electric vehicles are essential. According to Ronald’s policy, American-made batteries would be advantageous for receiving subsidies.
As the head of the group, he seemed to have considered all possible scenarios.
Chairman Im Jin-yong raised his finger and pointed ahead.
“If we have time, should we stop by there for a moment?”
He pointed to Seosung Digital Plaza. I parked the car and entered with Chairman Im Jin-yong.
The employee at the entrance bowed and said, “Welcome, sir. How may I assist you?”
Chairman Im Jin-yong replied, “I would like to take a look at the newly launched smartphone.”
“Yes, please follow me….”
The employee lifted his head and was suddenly shocked.
“H-Hold on…?”
While the stunned employee couldn’t say anything, the customers browsing the store shouted without hesitation.
“Hey! Isn’t that Im Jin-yong?”
“What nonsense? Why would Im Jin-yong be here… Oh my! It really is him!”
“Wait a minute. Next to him is Kang Jin-hoo!”
Suddenly, the store became chaotic. Employees who were sitting jumped up, and customers who were looking at appliances took out their phones to snap pictures.
The sudden appearance of Chairman Lim surprised the employees. Customers in the store were equally astonished.
A middle-aged man rushed down the escalator, bowing 90 degrees before Chairman Im Jin-yong.
“Ah, hello, Chairman. I am Branch Manager Kim Young-joon. Wh-what brings you here?”
His expression conveyed disbelief, filled with worries like, “Did I do something wrong? Was the store reported for being unfriendly? Does this mean I’m getting fired?”
Chairman Im smiled and replied, “I just came as a customer.”
He then pointed at me.
“I’d like to gift Mr. Kang Jin-hoo, who is here, the newly launched NT8. May I have a consultation?”
“Oh, yes, please come this way. I’ll explain well.”
“No, Branch Manager, you should handle your work. Just continue as usual.”
The branch manager seemed somewhat flustered.
“Ah, I see. Ms. Choi Hana will assist you.”
“Me?!” the staff member called out was startled.
“Just treat him as a regular customer and be at ease.”
“Ah, understood.”
The employee did their best to explain the latest features of the Seosung Electronics smartphone to the chairman. They went on about the camera, video capabilities, wireless charging, and more.
While I listened, a customer approached Chairman Im.
“May I take a picture with you?”
In response, Chairman Im pointed to the phone in the customer’s hand and jokingly remarked, “You’re using an N-phone. If you promise to switch to a Seosung Electronics phone next time, I’ll take a picture with you.”
The customer nodded in agreement.
“Sure! Next time the new L series comes out, I’ll switch to that.”
“You promised.”
Chairman Im Jin-yong took a photo with the customer. Seeing this, other customers mustered the courage to ask for autographs and photos, and Chairman Im Jin-yong graciously complied with all their requests.
The requests for autographs and photos extended to me as well. With the chairman of Seosung Group providing fan service beside me, I couldn’t decline without facing criticism.
Reluctantly, I also joined in giving autographs and taking pictures with the people.
After the fan meeting, Chairman Im Jin-yong purchased ten NT8s in various colors and handed them to me.
“This is a gift. Please share it with those around you.”
Smartphone prices have been steadily rising, and ten of them cost over ten million won.
“Is it really okay for me to accept this?”
“Of course. This time, it won’t explode, so you can use it with peace of mind.”
Although I didn’t feel the need to change, I had no reason to refuse when it was just given to me.
I bet Taek-gyu will like it.
We got back in the car. Chairman Im Jin-yong, fiddling with his phone, suddenly burst into laughter.
“Hahaha!”
“What’s so funny?”
“The article is already out.”
Chairman Im Jin-yong handed me his phone.
[Chairman Im Jin-yong of Seosung Group surprises by visiting Seosung Digital Plaza with OTK Company’s CEO Kang Jin-hoo!]
[Chairman Im Jin-yong gifts NT8 to CEO Kang Jin-hoo]
[Chairman Im Jin-yong promoting new products directly in-store]
Comments were pouring in.
– Lol, the employees must have been shocked.
– What’s the branch manager’s fault?
– So even the chairman of Seosung Group buys phones at the store.
– Looks like he’s pretty close to Kang Jin-hoo.
– Isn’t he just doing a show for promotion?
– I wish someone would buy me one, too.
I returned the phone.
“President Park Si-hyeong wouldn’t be too happy about this article if he saw it.”
Chairman Im Jin-yong replied, seemingly unconcerned.
“Anyway, his term is almost up. What matters is who takes power afterward.”
If another president from the Korean party comes into power, will the troublesome situation continue?
I drove into Seosung Town and parked in front of building D.
“Thank you for the ride.”
Chairman Im Jin-yong said as he got out of the car.
“Being close to the American president is definitely an advantage. Depending on how you utilize it, it could become a significant weapon.”
***
Ronald left for Japan, leaving behind nothing but bills for Korea. Fortunately or unfortunately, Japan and China also received the same bills.
Japanese Prime Minister Okazaki emphasized the Japan-U.S. alliance and promised to do his utmost to increase investments in the U.S.
In contrast, Chinese President Xi Jinping hinted that if the U.S. imposes tariffs on Chinese products, China would reciprocate with tariffs on U.S. goods.
As the revision of the Korea-U.S. FTA became a reality, the media uniformly expressed concerns. When it was revealed that the clumsy response included additional openings for agricultural products, farmers reacted strongly.
The shares of Eunsung Automotive Group fell by 3%, driven by fears of declining sales in the U.S. market. This was yet another setback in an already declining sales situation.
The government hastily convened a task force with bureaucrats who participated in the past Korea-U.S. FTA negotiations and trade experts.
Once again, the problem was that there was no one with a good relationship with the Ronald administration. Since Ronald’s election, opinions have consistently arisen about the need to reorganize the diplomatic line, but several opportunities were missed while focusing on domestic issues.
Even conservative media criticized this, stating that it’s time to ask businesspeople with connections for help.
While not naming names directly, it was practically a reference to me.
After all, where else would you find someone as closely connected to Ronald as I am?
However, Park Si-hyeong is unlikely to extend a hand to me. I also have no intention of stepping in to help Park Si-hyeong and Eunsung Automotive.
Just because Eunsung Automotive’s situation has worsened doesn’t mean we will immediately benefit.
The U.S. is a battleground for automotive manufacturers from around the globe. Even if Eunsung’s market share in the U.S. declines, that space will likely be filled by Japanese or European companies with overlapping vehicle types.
***
[(Hot Patch) Rookie Actress Min Seo-yoon Caught Meeting K Company CEO Park Sang-yeop!]
After reading the article, I asked Sang-yeop sunbae.
“Sunbae, are you meeting a celebrity?”
The article featured a photo of Sang-yeop sunbae with a woman wearing a pulled-down hat, exiting a restaurant, and another photo of them together in a McLaren.
Sang-yeop sunbae waved his hand dismissively.
“We’ve just had a few meals together.”
“It’s 1 AM, though?”
“Filming wrapped up late.”
Min Seo-yoon is currently a rising rookie actress in cable dramas.
Perhaps that’s why dating rumors flooded the internet entertainment sections. It even made the front page of a sports newspaper.
I couldn’t help but exclaim.
“Wow! I never expected sunbae would have dating rumors with a celebrity.”
Gi-hong sunbae commented.
“Except for the fact that the CEO looks like that, he’s not at a disadvantage anywhere else.”
Sang-yeop sunbae frowned.
“What’s wrong with my looks? I’d say I’m reasonably good-looking.”
“I don’t think so,” I replied, and even I felt that was questionable.
Sang-yeop sunbae turned the conversation toward Gi-hong sunbae.
“Aren’t you dating Hyun-jeong?”
I was taken aback.
“Hyun-jeong sunbae? An office romance?”
Gi-hong sunbae had an embarrassed expression.
“Ah, yeah. It turned out that way.”
“Is Hyun-jeong sunbae older than you?”
“I’m a year above her. Hyun-jeong graduated before me.”
“I see.”
Seeing him call her name affectionately, it seems they’ve been dating for a while. Why didn’t I know?
I looked at Taek-gyu and asked, “Aren’t you dating?”
He may not seem like it, but he actually owns 17% of OTK Company, making him one of the wealthiest individuals in Korea.
Taek-gyu answered as if my question was foolish. “When do I have time to date? I’m busy with new games and watching anime.”
“I get it.”
He has time to pursue virtual girls in games but no time to meet real girls.
“By the way, have you told Yuri?”
“Well…”
“What’s with that? You still haven’t told her?”
I made an excuse. “I’ve been busy with other things.”
I had talked to Ellie a few times after we started dating, but when I actually tried to bring it up, finding the right moment was hard.
In hindsight, it feels odd to say, “I’m dating Ellie” out of the blue when we weren’t that close.
Taek-gyu held up a sports newspaper. “You should tell her soon. Imagine how disappointing it’ll be if she finds out through an article later!”
I nodded. “I know.”
I had been meaning to tell her.
How should I say it?
Go