Free Web NovelAt last, Seo Hyeongjun contacted me. I had him come to the Myeongdong office.
“Have you made your decision?”
Seo Hyeongjun nodded with a heavy expression.
“Yes. I’ll go to China.”
“You made the right choice. As time passes, this decision will come back to you as a major gain.”
“Thank you. But what exactly am I # Nоvеlight # supposed to do once I’m there?”
“A corporation will be established soon. Once it’s established, you’ll take office as CEO and begin work. Like I told you before, you’ll start with the multiplex business.”
Seo Hyeongjun’s expression shifted subtly. frёewebnoѵēl.com
“So just like you said, this won’t be something that ends in a few years. But that business isn’t something I’ll be directly hands-on with.”
“That’s correct. But at the same time, I want you to use your connections to export Korean films and dramas to China as well.”
In the middle of our conversation, there was a knock. When I told them to come in, the door opened.
“Boss, Director Kim Hyunjung has arrived.”
“Already? Tell her to come in.”
Manager Ma stepped aside, and Kim Hyunjung walked in.
“Hello, President Kim Muhyuk.”
Kim Hyunjung greeted me with a bright smile.
“Yeah. Come in.”
“Oh? CEO Seo Hyeongjun is here too? Hello. It’s been a while.”
“Yes, it has. But what brings you here...?”
Seo Hyeongjun asked with a puzzled look. She only smiled instead of answering.
“I’ll explain the details in time. Director Kim Hyunjung, have a seat as well.”
“Yes, President.”
Kim Hyunjung and Seo Hyeongjun sat facing each other.
“CEO Seo Hyeongjun and Director Kim Hyunjung will be entering China together. If CEO Seo had refused, I would’ve sent Director Kim to China first, alone, today. But since you decided to go, you two will go in together.”
Seo Hyeongjun, who had been listening blankly, asked in disbelief.
“You mean... I’m going with Kim Hyunjung?”
“Yes. Kim Hyunjung will oversee administration and management. You, CEO Seo, as I said, will build the multiplexes, and at the same time distribute Korean dramas and films for release in China. You can also invest in Korean or American films. Your roles are completely different. And they won’t change.”
Only then did Seo Hyeongjun nod, as if he understood.
“Once the new corporation is formed, you’ll serve as its CEO, CEO Seo. The vice CEO will likely be appointed by the Chinese side. Director Kim Hyunjung will serve as Head of Administration. The details will be explained by someone working locally—Hao Xun.”
Kim Hyunjung, who’d been listening quietly, suddenly cut in.
“President, I can bring some people from Korea, right?”
I nodded. It would be easier for her to work with people she already knew.
“If you have people you want, bring them. And housing, plus anything else you need, will be provided by the company.”
I looked back and forth between Seo Hyeongjun and Kim Hyunjung.
“Like I said, the fields you’ll work in are different. So don’t interfere in each other’s territory—just do your own work. If you do, there’ll be a big reward for both of you. China is a country where, if you grab the right power line, it comes back bigger than anywhere else. I’m going to trust you two.”
For Seo Hyeongjun and Kim Hyunjung, this was a once-in-a-lifetime chance.
Seo Hyeongjun could return in triumph despite the limitations of being from a collateral branch, and Kim Hyunjung could play in an even bigger market.
Maybe because they knew that, both of their faces turned resolute.
“You both speak Chinese, right?”
They nodded at the same time.
“Then let’s call the person in charge on the China side.”
When I pressed the bell, Manager Ma came in immediately.
“Manager, contact Hao Xun.”
The phone connected almost the moment Manager Ma dialed. I took the phone from him and spoke.
“Hao Xun.”
—Yes, President Kim Muhyuk.
“I’ve picked the people we’ll be sending from Korea to China. One is CEO Seo Hyeongjun from JC Entertainment, and the other is the person overseeing the entertainment business under Chunha Group. Talk to them first.”
I handed the phone to Seo Hyeongjun. He swallowed hard, then took it.
“Hello! I’m Seo Hyeongjun.”
Starting with a clearly tense greeting, the two began speaking. I turned my gaze to Kim Hyunjung.
“Did you wrap up everything at Chunha Group?”
“Yes. I handed everything over to my successor. The people I’m taking with me will resign with me.”
She’s fast and sharp. I nodded in satisfaction, and Kim Hyunjung’s face brightened naturally.
“Good. Then prepare so you can go in right away.”
“Understood.”
“What did Chairman Yoo say?”
“He told me to work hard, like this was my last chance. And he also told me not to make any mistakes.”
“Did he?”
“Yes. He said chances like this won’t come twice, so I should hold on tight to that line. And if I make a mistake, I’ll be discarded.”
Her bright smile faded, and Kim Hyunjung checked my expression.
It sounded like Yoo Seongjin had delivered that message pretty harshly.
“Don’t be too nervous. More importantly, China is different from Korea. Discrimination against women is still pretty widespread.”
“I know. It’s not like I’ve never worked with China before.”
“Of course, this will be different from back then. But in the end, if you don’t show results, you’ll be weeded out. If you have ability—and solid backing—you’ll be able to establish yourself in China without too much trouble.”
“I’ll do my best.”
It seemed Seo Hyeongjun had finished his call, because he passed the phone to Kim Hyunjung.
“Hello. This is Kim Hyunjung.”
The moment she took the phone, a businesslike tone slipped out.
Watching her switch like that, I just smiled.
Then I turned to Seo Hyeongjun beside me and asked,
“What did he say?”
“He told me to come in as soon as possible and take charge starting from establishing the corporation. He said everything is already prepared. Starting with selecting the land for the building site... he told me to handle everything myself.”
I nodded. It was probably best for the man who’d be sitting in the CEO’s seat to show initiative.
“Hao Xun will understand that world to some extent too. He’s a pretty big figure in China’s underworld. Legal matters will be handled by the Chinese Communist Party, and the illegal side will be handled by Hao Xun’s organization. If you hit a wall while working, stay in constant communication with him.”
“......The underworld?”
Seo Hyeongjun asked, stunned.
“Yes. In our country people call it the Triads, but on the mainland they call it the underworld. Unlike Korea, underworld organizations exert huge influence not only in politics but in the economy as well. So don’t dismiss him as just a gangster—coordinate with him to move things forward. And for what it’s worth, he’s not a bad person.”
“Ah... understood.”
“Well, in our country too, until not long ago, thugs were all over that world. Most of them have stepped back now.”
Seo Hyeongjun seemed to accept it, nodding quietly.
Just then, Kim Hyunjung finished her call and handed me the phone.
“President, he says he wants to speak with you briefly.”
As soon as I took it, Hao Xun spoke first.
—President Kim Muhyuk. You worked hard.
“It’s nothing. I’ve done everything I can on my end. They’re capable people—coordinate well with them and proceed. Now, Hao Xun, the success or failure of this business depends on how well you perform.”
—Of course. I won’t disappoint you.
“Then we’ll talk again.”
After ending the call, I looked at the two of them sitting with perfect posture and gave them a gentle smile.
“Sounds like we’ve covered the main points, so let’s go out and eat. It’ll be good for you two to get to know each other.”
Time passed quickly.
Joint U.S.–ROK military exercises began in the West Sea, and North Korea harshly condemned the U.S. and South Korea.
This time, unusually, the drills involved not only a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and F-22 fighters, but even a B-2 bomber—capable of carrying dozens of nuclear weapons.
It was the first time a B-2 had appeared over the Korean Peninsula.
It was proof that the U.S. was taking this exercise seriously.
A single B-2 was so expensive it could rival North Korea’s annual budget, and the maintenance and operating costs were also enormous.
But because its performance was that outstanding, and its stealth capabilities nearly perfect, it was called America’s ultimate bomber.
Kim Jongil couldn’t ignore it. With a B-2 that could appear over Pyongyang without warning and bomb wherever he was, North Korea reacted with unusual intensity.
—This joint U.S.–South Korea rehearsal for a war of northern invasion is a provocative act that is clearly driving the situation on the Korean Peninsula to extremes.
The provocations of the South Korean military and the United States are pushing the Korean Peninsula into a tragic abyss of war that no one can predict.
In particular, the South Korean government is bowing to the threats of wolves and participating in acts that threaten fellow compatriots.
Seoul is not far from here. If war breaks out because of this, the nuclear weapons we possess will explode over the skies of Seoul.
Make it clear that all responsibility lies with the South Korean government.
For the first time, they officially declared—in an official statement—that they would use nuclear weapons.
It was far more extreme than the “sea of fire” remark that had been made in 1994.
Not only the domestic press, but even foreign media ran it as a major headline, and fear of war wrapped around the peninsula.
People began hoarding emergency rations, and the Korean stock market plunged.
In response, Yoon Changho issued a televised address to the nation.
—Respected citizens. I am Yoon Changho, President of the Republic of Korea.
...At this moment, the Republic of Korea is great. And the Republic of Korea will never back down.
If we begin backing down even once to North Korea’s provocations, there will be no end.
As president, I will respond to North Korea’s provocations by any means necessary, and I will bear all responsibility for that response.
Please trust the government and continue your livelihoods.
Our government will do everything possible to prevent war.
With a firm, resolute face, Yoon Changho delivered the ten-minute address he had prepared. freewebnøvel.com
Then, without taking questions from reporters, he hurriedly left the podium.
“Hm.”
Just as expected, it was heading toward a hardline standoff. I turned off the TV and sank deep into the sofa.
“A war won’t break out, but...”
There was no telling what kind of provocation North Korea might attempt next.
At that moment, it wasn’t my phone that rang—it was the house phone. Manager Ma, standing beside me, picked it up.
“This is Pyeongchang-dong.”
—This is the Blue House. The President wishes to speak with President Kim Muhyuk.
The secretary’s voice came through the receiver—Manager Ma had deliberately turned up the volume.
Manager Ma looked toward me. I gave a small nod and held out my hand.
“Yes, this is Kim Muhyuk.”
—Please hold for a moment.
A moment later, Yoon Changho’s voice came through.
His voice was rigid, hardened.
—President Kim.
“Yes, Mr. President.”
—Did you see the address?
“Of course. You did well. The public will support you. Right now, what we need is not a president being led around by North Korea—we need a strong president.”
—Right? Most people opposed this address. But I pushed it through. They said we should respond more gently to prevent war. But we can’t stop the joint U.S.–ROK drills. And we shouldn’t.
“You’re right. Your judgment is correct.”
America’s will was strong. If we opposed it, they could’ve pushed forward alone.
Or they could’ve done it with Japan’s Self-Defense Forces instead.
Either way, it would’ve been a decision that didn’t help our national interest.
—It’s good to hear you say that, at least.
Yoon Changho let out a long sigh. It sounded like he’d been under serious strain.
“In the end, every decision is made by the president, and the responsibility for that decision is carried by the president. So do what you want.”
—Right. That’s what this position is.
Yoon Changho agreed in a tired voice. But in times like this, he wouldn’t be calling just to vent.
I found an opening and moved to the point.
“So what did you call about?”
—Ah! The U.S. is coming next week.
“Yes. I’m aware.”
—When that happens, President Kim, you should come with me.
“Me? I’ve already done everything I can do.”
A brief silence flowed through the receiver. Then Yoon Changho spoke again.
—No. Even if everything has been coordinated, international politics is the kind of thing where you never know what might happen. So even if you don’t move with me directly, I want you in the U.S. with us.
“I’ll check my schedule and get back to you.”
—Thank you. If possible, I’d like you to come with us. Anyway, I’ll hang up now. A National Security Council meeting is about to begin.
With that, Yoon Changho ended the call. I stared at the receiver for a long moment as the end tone echoed, then asked Manager Ma,
“Manager Ma, I don’t have anything scheduled next week, right?”
“Yes, Boss. No appointments.”
“Then next week, when President Yoon Changho visits the U.S., we’re going too. He must be pretty anxious.”
“Yes. I’ll prepare it.”
