I said with a sigh, as if resigned, “It would be faster to find the leakage route and prove it.”
Sergi said, “We are continuously checking if there has been hacking or unauthorized access to the server.”
“What’s the probability?”
Ryan shook his head. “Close to zero. All security is working normally. If there had been unauthorized access, there would be a record left.”
Taek-gyu nodded as if he understood. “Well, if you delete the record, a record of deletion would remain.”
CarOS originally started as a company that made operating systems to control cars, including autonomous driving. As such, they have been thoroughly managing security issues.
If such a thing had really happened, there was no way they wouldn’t have noticed it until now.
Technology is not something that ends once it is developed. CarOS’ autonomous driving technology is also constantly evolving with machine learning and big data.
You can copy and sell Windows, but you can’t make updates or the next version. And it’s hard to guarantee that there will be no problems in the copying process.
However, China has a huge market of 1.5 billion people. If Zhou Auto mass-produces autonomous vehicles like us and starts creating big data throughout China, it is highly likely to become a threat.
If technology leakage is true, we can never just stand still.
Sergi said, “Even if they copied the technology, price will be the problem.”
Even if they can make a car exactly like CarOS, they can’t make it cheaper. We also wouldn’t have been able to release vehicles at the current price if we hadn’t joined hands with Seosung Electronics. Just considering the production cost, wouldn’t it be more than 30% more expensive than ours?
But for Zhou Auto, there is no problem even if they sell at a loss.
“Because the Chinese government will support them.”
Even if they sell at a loss, it’s enough if the government subsidizes them. From the Chinese government’s perspective, if they can take the lead in autonomous driving, they can pour in trillions of won, no problem.
I leaned back in my chair and sank into thought.
How did Zhou Auto steal CarOS’ technology? And how can we prove it?
At that moment, something flashed in my mind.
– Supernano Server Spy Chip –
“……”
What is this? Is it related to the current situation?
Coming to my senses, I realized that everyone was staring intently at me. To others, it must have looked like I was talking and then suddenly staring blankly into space with a dazed expression.
I said nonchalantly, “Ah! I was just thinking for a moment.”
Taek-gyu, as if he had noticed something, gave a meaningful smile.
I asked Ryan, “By any chance, whose servers does CarOS use?”
“Supernano.”
I knew it.
“Is it a famous company?”
Taek-gyu said, “It’s a Chinese server manufacturing company. They use a lot of motherboards from there when building computers these days.”
Ryan nodded. “That’s right. It’s China’s largest server manufacturer.”
“Which other companies besides us are using those servers?”
“Enple, Gooble, AMZ, Facenote, etc. It would be faster to ask which companies are not using them.”
Only 10 years ago, Supernano was just a small and medium-sized company in China. But at some point, it began to rapidly increase in size.
Most of its sales come from B2B, and it supplies to companies and government offices around the world.
While its stability is excellent, its biggest advantage is that it is about 20% cheaper than other companies. Supernano has dominated the server market with this price competitiveness.
But there’s a spy chip in the servers made there?
Perhaps, like its name, it’s a device secretly attached to devices to extract information. Could they have stolen our technology with that?
I said with a tired expression, “I’m a bit tired since I just arrived. Let’s take a 30-minute break and then continue.”
“Understood.”
The staff guided us to the lounge. After confirming that no one was there, Taek-gyu immediately asked, “Oracle?”
I nodded and asked, “Do you know what a spy chip is?”
“Like a backdoor?”
Backdoor.
Literally, a back door. Buildings where security is important have CCTV and door locks installed at the front door to prevent outsiders from entering arbitrarily, and security guards are stationed.
Unauthorized people have difficulty entering, and if they forcibly break in, evidence will be left.
But what if the architect who built the building secretly created an invisible back door without the building owner’s knowledge and had the key himself?
“Through the backdoor, you can access operating systems or programs as much as you want, and you can also leave no evidence, right?”
“That’s right. You could also sneak in through a window accidentally left open on the first floor, but that’s just a security vulnerability.”
Is the difference between the two whether or not there is developer intent?
“Is that possible in hardware as well?”
“It’s probably possible.”
Taek-gyu asked me, “What exactly did Oracle show you?”
I told him about the Oracle I had just seen, and Taek-gyu was startled. “What? Is that for real?”
“First, we need to check if the Oracle is correct.”
This is no ordinary matter.
If it turns out to be true, wouldn’t we be able to blow this up properly?
The meeting resumed, and I said to Ryan, “First, finding the leakage route is our priority. Check the company’s server room and data center entirely.”
“We’ve checked several times, and there was no problem. Hacking is impossible.”
I shook my head. “Look at the hardware, not the software. See if there are unnecessary chips inserted in the server parts supplied by Supernano.”
Everyone was startled at my words. “What do you mean…?”
“Are you perhaps suspecting a backdoor?”
In fact, controversy over backdoors in Chinese IT companies has been incessant for a long time. Intelligence agencies in various countries are even prohibiting the use of Chinese-made communication equipment and electronic devices due to concerns about this.
However, its reality has never been clearly discovered. Even if something comes out, they usually get away with it by saying it’s a security vulnerability or a mistake in the distribution process.
Since I couldn’t say that I saw it in Oracle, I came up with a plausible reason. “I can’t reveal the source, but I heard something. Please check it out.”
To disassemble and check the servers, we have to stop operating them. Since there are backup servers, there will be no major problems if we check them sequentially, rotating them.
Ryan didn’t seem to believe my words very much, but he faithfully followed the instructions. Inspection began immediately.
***
We showered and unpacked our luggage at a nearby hotel.
Taek-gyu asked, “If they already stole CarOS’ autonomous driving technology, why did they propose a joint venture, offering various conditions? Are they trying to steal OTK battery technology too?”
“That might be part of it, but…”
Isn’t it possible that they needed a justification that they had transferred or developed the technology through normal means?
If they had learned the technology and know-how in the process of forming a joint venture, no one would have suspected it even if the results were similar.
But when we refused that, did they just package it as their own technology and publicly release it?
While Taek-gyu and I were talking, a call came from an unknown number.
I pressed the call button. [Where are you now?]
Just by hearing the voice, I knew who it was.
I replied happily, “Detroit. Long time no see, Mr. President.”
[What brings you here without a word?]
“For work. I came in a hurry, so I couldn’t contact you.”
[How long are you planning to stay? Now that you’re here, shouldn’t we see each other’s faces?]
“I will visit the White House soon. There’s something I need to tell you.”
[I’m curious what you’re going to say.]
“I’ll tell you when we meet.”
If the spy chip turns out to be true, there will be quite a lot to talk about.
Ronald laughed heartily and said, [Haha! Just let me know before you come. I’ll hold a state guest welcoming ceremony to greet you warmly.]
“Ah, thank you.”
Just thinking about it made my hands and feet curl up. I should definitely go without telling him in advance.
While Ryan and the technical team were disassembling the Supernano servers and checking them one by one, I called Vice Chairman Wang Yichang of Zhou Auto.
He answered my call happily. [Nice to meet you, CEO Kang Jin-hoo.]
The subsequent conversation was conducted through his interpreter.
“I watched Zhou Auto’s presentation well. Congratulations on the new car launch.”
[No, no. We still have a long way to go to catch up with CarOS.]
“I was sorry that our last meeting ended so soon. I would like to meet you again, when would be a good time for you?”
Perhaps thinking that I was eagerly wanting to meet because we were in a regrettable situation?
Vice Chairman Wang Yichang replied readily, [Haha, anytime is fine. If it’s a meeting with CEO Kang Jin-hoo, I will make time even if I don’t have it.]
“Ah! And I would also like to meet Vice Minister Li Xuewei. There’s something important I need to tell him.”
Since Vice Chairman Wang Yichang is from the Zhang Pinghua faction and has been in politics, he is known to be close to Vice Minister Li Xuewei.
He thought for a moment and then said, [Understood. I will mention it to him.]
***
Coincidentally, the Vice Minister of Commerce of China was visiting Hong Kong and was scheduled to move to Macau. So we decided to meet in Macau.
I entrusted CarOS’ work to Taek-gyu. “Don’t go to the casino and gamble just because I’m not there.”
“Why? Are you worried I’ll lose money?”
“No. I’m worried you’ll get pissed off playing baccarat and say you’re going to buy the whole casino.”
“……”
That’s possible.
I flew to Macau with my bodyguards and arrived at the Grand Dayton Casino Hotel, the meeting place, a day in advance.
Looking out the window, I could see the huge bridge crossing the sea in the distance.
It was none other than the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, which was about to open. The total length is a whopping 55 kilometers, connecting Zhuhai in Guangdong Province, Hong Kong, and Macau.
For ship passage, about 7 kilometers of it is connected by an undersea tunnel. Two artificial islands were created in the middle of the bridge, and you enter the undersea tunnel through them and then come out again.
I could feel the majesty of the Great Wall of China or the pyramids.
Which country in the world other than China could build something like this?
Looking at this, the scale is definitely that of a great power. But why are they acting like this?
While I was agonizing about what to say at tomorrow’s meeting, a call came from Taek-gyu.
“How did it go?”
Taek-gyu said in an excited voice, [I found the spy chip!]
“Is that really true?”
[It’s randomly embedded in the motherboard, as small as a millet grain. I’ll send you a photo now, check it out.]
I received the photo. Although it was circled, it was so small that it was barely visible to the naked eye.
[Wow! No wonder they were copying so well everywhere, who would have thought something like this existed.]
“Everyone stay quiet until I instruct you. It must not leak out.”
[Got it. Come back soon.]
I hung up the phone and thought.
How can we use this effectively?
***
Vice Chairman Wang Yichang arrived first at the appointed time. And not long after, a middle-aged man wearing a suit and glasses walked in. The suit had a badge in the shape of the Five-starred Red Flag.
This person was none other than Li Xuewei, Vice Minister of Commerce of China.
Like President Zhang Pinghua, he belonged to the Princeling Party, and his grandfather had accompanied Mao Zedong to the end of the Long March.
This was my first time meeting him in person, but he seemed somehow familiar because he often appeared on the news. Perhaps it was the same for him.
Vice Minister Li Xuewei warmly held my hand with both hands, as if pleased. “I am Li Xuewei. It is a great pleasure to meet Mr. Kang, who is world-renowned, in person like this.”
“I am also pleased to meet Vice Minister.”
After greeting each other, we sat down.
Vice Chairman Wang Yichang spoke, and the interpreter conveyed his words. “The proposal I mentioned last time is still valid.”
“China hopes to open up the future together with OTK Company.”
“I see.”
These bastards must really think they can look down on people since we’ve been keeping quiet.
“The reason I asked to meet you two today is this. First, I would like you to lift the unfair sanctions against Seosung Electronics, Eunsung Motors, and OTK Company.”
At my words, Vice Minister Li Xuewei coughed uncomfortably. “I don’t understand what Mr. Kang is talking about. The Chinese government only handles matters according to established procedures and regulations, and never does anything unfair.”
Vice Chairman Wang Yichang also chimed in. “That’s right. It seems that CEO Kang Jin-hoo has some misunderstanding. If the mistake is corrected, there will be no problem in resuming business.”
“Correcting the mistake” here must mean that it depends on my attitude, right?
“Still, now that we have had such a good meeting today, everything will be resolved well in the future.”
At Vice Minister Li Xuewei’s words, Vice Chairman Wang Yichang clapped his hands lightly. “Well, well, let’s talk about business slowly, and how about having a meal first and drinking some wine? Business tends to work out naturally when you share good wine together.”
I nodded. “Let me just say one more thing.”
“What is it?”
I looked at the two of them and said, “Zhou Auto stole and copied CarOS’ autonomous driving technology. I would like you to officially apologize, compensate us, and promise to prevent recurrence.”
