Free Web NovelChairman Song Chanwoo suddenly asked the question without any explanation.
I set my coffee cup down with a puzzled look and asked him back.
“What are you talking about?”
“That my father’s slush funds were handed over to Kim Jongil.”
“What? Is that true?”
My voice rose unconsciously.
“I found out when I went to North Korea this time. They demanded the promised money. When I asked what they meant, they said my father had agreed to give them money in exchange for monopolizing various business rights within the Republic.”
“...Isn’t that a lie?”
“I thought they were just saying that to extort me. But when I came back to Seoul and checked Father’s slush fund ledger in the safe, it was real. There had been a large withdrawal from one of the listed accounts. When I asked his secretary, he admitted it was true. I even confirmed the contract.”
At those words, a hazy memory from my previous life came back vividly.
Yes, that incident had indeed happened. It was a massive scandal [N O V E L I G H T] involving not only Daehyeon Group but also key figures of the Kim Hakgwon administration.
And after that... I stared quietly at the face of Chairman Song Chanwoo before me.
“Why are you looking at me like that? Do I have something on my face?”
“No. So how much money are we talking about?”
“Ten million dollars has already been handed over, and the additional promised sum is no less than forty million dollars.”
“...Crazy.”
That was about five hundred billion won at the current exchange rate. What kind of business rights were worth putting that much money into Kim Jongil’s hands?
“What rights exactly?”
In my memory, no major inter-Korean project had ever been properly realized.
The only ones that had made any progress were the Kaesong Industrial Complex and the Mount Kumgang tourism project.
Even then, Kaesong had been meant for small and mid-sized companies, so the only major project Daehyeon had handled directly was the Mount Kumgang tourism.
Betting five hundred billion won just for that? My mind could not comprehend it.
“Mining rights, plus infrastructure projects covering electricity, telecommunications, and railways, as well as the Imjin River Dam, the Mount Kumgang tourism and water resource development, and rights to numerous scenic spots in North Korea.”
The scale of the business rights Song Chanwoo described was astronomical.
If one could secure them, it wasn’t just worth five hundred billion—it was worth countless billions.
But no matter how great the rights, the fact that the counterpart was Kim Jongil changed everything.
“There were also plans for a Daehyeon Motors plant in the North, and various smaller ventures.”
Chairman Song Youngjoo’s dream had been far too grand. It was practically saying he wanted to seize the entire North Korean economy.
To monopolize most of the infrastructure projects, then build on that to dominate tourism and mining—
If Chairman Song’s dream had come true, North Korea’s economy might have seen dazzling growth.
But paradoxically, that would have undermined the legitimacy of the Kim Jongil regime.
“So what do you intend to do?”
“If this succeeds, I believe Daehyeon Group can make another great leap forward.”
“Perhaps. But as you know, the risks are enormous.”
North Korea was under the scrutiny of the U.S., Russia, China, and even Japan. The web of interests was exceedingly tangled.
China already controlled most of the mining projects. Russia was employing North Korean youth under the guise of foreign currency labor.
Japan, as a country that did not wish for peace between the North and South, would certainly interfere.
“And it would mean violating every economic sanction tied to the U.S. designation of North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism.”
“I’m aware.”
“Not only that—the Kim Hakgwon administration is deeply entangled in this. Once President Kim Hakgwon steps down, you could be politically targeted. Though it began with Chairman Song Youngjoo, ultimately you, Chairman Song Chanwoo, would bear the responsibility.”
Song Chanwoo only nodded grimly without answering.
“And the most important issue of all—Kim Jongil cannot be trusted. He could take the money and strip you of the rights at any time, keeping nothing.”
Of course, Song Chanwoo knew these drawbacks as well as I did.
“Even so, I don’t want to let it slip away. Partly to honor my father’s will, but also because I want to see it through.”
His gaze, unusually, was firm with determination. Seeing that, I nodded.
“Very well. Daehyeon is yours. Do as you wish. If you need my help, I’ll assist.”
I no longer wanted to meddle in Daehyeon’s management.
As a major shareholder, it was enough for me to stand as a strong backer from behind.
“Thank you.”
“Let’s skip the formalities. Tell me the real reason you came to see me.”
Surprise flickered across his face.
“You knew.”
“Well, it wasn’t hard to guess.”
“You’re right. We can’t pour all the slush funds into this, so we need your help.” freewebnσvel.cѳm
With an awkward look, he lowered his head.
“So how much are you short? Surely Chairman Song didn’t plunge into this without a plan to raise the money.”
“Father trusted the government. President Kim Hakgwon promised about ten million dollars in policy support funds for Daehyeon. He also said he would pressure the Industrial Bank to provide us loans.”
So that was why President Kim Hakgwon had personally come to the funeral.
He and Chairman Song Youngjoo had been comrades, chasing the same dream by different paths.
“And at a time when loans are being squeezed dry, he promised not just a small sum, but that much?”
“Hoo...”
Song Chanwoo let out a deep sigh filled with meaning.
“I bet they told you the policy support funds couldn’t be raised, and that the loans would be difficult for now. Am I right?”
“...How did you know?”
“The national finances aren’t that generous.”
“The loans, maybe. But we have to get the policy support funds...”
His voice trailed off.
“Why? Because that ten million was already handed over by Daehyeon as the price of the inter-Korean summit?”
“How do you know that? I only learned it today myself. Did my father tell you separately?”
I only smiled instead of answering.
I couldn’t exactly tell him I knew because I’d seen it in the future.
“Just a guess. Why else would the government give a private company ten million dollars in policy funds?”
“True... but you hit the nail exactly, calling it the price of the summit.”
Shaking his head in disbelief, Song Chanwoo gave a bitter smile.
“That’s not the point. The real issue is, the government can’t possibly cough up that money. If it’s revealed they paid for a summit, the administration could be destroyed. They might even face impeachment.”
“They said as much, I suppose.”
After so long in politics, Kim Hakgwon had become a sly old fox. Resting my chin at an angle, I continued.
“So they have to raise the ten million in secret, and when it’s delivered to Daehyeon, it will be laundered through multiple intermediaries to erase the trail. But in this democratic era, unlike the days of military rule, could President Kim Hakgwon even create such slush funds? We’re talking over a trillion won. It won’t be easy.”
“...”
“And instead, they promised you loans. They asked you to wait. But they won’t give them. They’ll keep delaying until his term ends, and then let it fizzle out.”
Song Chanwoo’s face hardened instantly.
“Surely they wouldn’t go that far?”
“If this leaks, the Kim Hakgwon government will suffer, but so will Daehyeon. It’s not like you can announce it to the world. So you’ll just be forced to wait.”
“You mean we’ll have to swallow a loss of over a trillion won? The government isn’t a gang...”
Even for Daehyeon Group, Korea’s top conglomerate, a trillion won was no small sum.
Especially slush funds, which were irreplaceable.
To lose that much at once—it was no wonder he looked stifled.
“You should get something else in return. President Kim Hakgwon has less than two years left. Once the election season starts next year, it’ll be impossible to get anything.”
“Hoo...”
Song Chanwoo sighed deeply. But it was no time to despair.
“Think carefully about what to ask for. Now, how much do you need?”
“I can raise two hundred million myself, by using several of Father’s slush fund accounts. The problem is the remaining two hundred million.”
“Two hundred million, hmm...”
I tapped the sofa armrest with my fingers, considering.
That amount was a burden even for me. But my deliberation didn’t last long.
“All right. I’ll lend it to you. But your shares will have to be collateral.”
“Ah... thank you.”
His rigid expression finally softened into a faint smile.
“I’ll arrange it in untraceable funds. Do you have a slush account in the Bahamas?”
“No, not in the Bahamas.”
“Then send someone reliable to open one immediately. Send us the account number and we’ll wire the funds. Discuss the details with Manager Ma outside.”
“Thank you.”
I called for Manager Ma waiting outside.
“You called, sir.”
“Prepare a contract.”
I briefly explained the terms to Manager Ma—two hundred million dollars loaned to Chairman Song, with shares as collateral.
“Yes, understood.”
He bowed and left the room.
“Let’s leave the money talk there. Did they say anything else?”
“Just that good news would come soon, but that we had to show sincerity. Of course, sincerity meant money.”
“So once the money is in, the projects resume?”
“Yes. They said negotiations with the government would start soon.”
But in reality, no inter-Korean business could proceed without U.S. approval.
And judging from the climate, there was no way America would give the green light.
Could it be that Kim Jongil was firmly convinced I would somehow arrange negotiations with the U.S.?
The man was insane. And his shameless behavior, as if forgetting what he had done before, made me sick.
“Is something wrong?”
Song Chanwoo asked when he saw my expression darken.
As much as I loathed Kim Jongil, this was still something I had to resolve.
“No. Just thinking.”
I shook my head slightly and checked the time. It was already late. I turned to Song Chanwoo.
“I have an evening appointment, so let’s end here today.”
At that, Song Chanwoo stood. I rose too and extended my hand.
“Let’s have a meal together next time.”
“Let’s.”
He smiled as he shook my hand. I returned a small smile.
“Then I’ll take my leave. Thank you for today.”
“You can go and finalize the contract with Manager Ma before you head out.”
“Yes, I will.”
He turned toward the door, but I stopped him after a moment’s hesitation.
“Chairman.”
He turned back at my call.
“No matter how hard things get, don’t let dark thoughts take hold.”
“Pardon? What do you mean...?”
He looked puzzled, but I only shook my head.
Since he had taken my hand, he was my man now.
I intended to make sure nothing happened to him like in the previous life. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
“Just saying. You can go now.”
Still looking bewildered, he left as I turned away.
