Free Web NovelUnder normal circumstances, the groundbreaking ceremony wouldn’t have been possible for at least another year.
Even in my previous life, construction on the Kaesong Industrial Complex had only begun after a change of administration, after years of preparation and delays, before they were finally able to break ground.
This time, however, the South Korean government and the North Korean government reached an agreement with surprising speed, and the political will behind the project was strong on both sides.
On top of that, the site for the Kaesong Industrial Complex had already been prepared.
With all of these conditions lining up, they were able to hold the groundbreaking ceremony just a few months after the inter-Korean summit.
Originally, only representatives from the Blue House were supposed to attend from the South, but both ruling and opposition party leaders requested to participate. With all of them joining, the scale of the event grew far beyond what had been planned.
I also boarded one of the prepared buses to attend the ceremony.
“President Kim. You’ve arrived?”
As soon as I stepped onto the bus carrying Daehyeon Group affiliates, Chairman Song Chanwoo, who had been seated at the very front, stood up to greet me.
“Ah, Chairman Song. It’s been a while.”
“Yes, it has. You’ve been well, I hope? I’ve heard you’ve been quite busy.”
After exchanging greetings with him, I also greeted Chairman Song Chanseong, who was in charge of Daehyeon Motors.
“Chairman Song Chanseong. The growth of Daehyeon Motors has been almost frightening.”
“Haha! Is that so? Coming from you, President Kim, I hardly know what to say.”
Song Chanseong bowed his head with a warm, good-natured smile.
Under his leadership, Daehyeon Motors had been on an unstoppable rise.
Even in my previous life, he had been the one who elevated Daehyeon Motors to second place in the corporate rankings, so the result itself wasn’t surprising.
Of course, there was one key difference from the past. In this life, Daehyeon Motors was still part of the Daehyeon Group.
I had acted in accordance with Chairman Song Youngjoo’s final wishes—that the group should not be split apart—and supported Song Chanwoo as chairman.
By transferring my shares to Chairman Song Chanwoo, Song Chanseong was ultimately forced to yield, and unlike in my previous life, the Daehyeon Group did not undergo a separation of its affiliates.
In return, Song Chanwoo handed full managerial authority over Daehyeon Motors to Song Chanseong, on the condition that the company remain within the group. He would not interfere in management at all.
Daehyeon Motors, now run entirely by Song Chanseong alone, had faltered briefly during the IMF crisis, but through acquisitions and bold restructuring, it eventually rose to claim the top position among domestic automobile manufacturers.
But nothing is perfect.
Daehyeon Motors’ labor union was infamous as an aristocratic union, and time and again, it became a shackle around the company’s ankles.
“I’m just being honest, but... you’re having a hard time because of the union, aren’t you?”
Leaving behind Song Chanwoo, who looked at me with faint regret, I chose to talk with Song Chanseong for the first time in a while.
As soon as I brought up the union while sitting beside him, Song Chanseong visibly recoiled.
“Ugh... don’t even get me started. Sometimes I envy Joongwoo Group.”
The very first thing I had done after acquiring Joongwoo Group was dismantle its labor union. I smiled and replied.
“Then why not do the same with Daehyeon Motors?”
“If I tried that, the government would raise absolute hell immediately. It’s not that simple.”
Song Chanseong gave a bitter smile. It seemed he had already considered dissolving the union more than once.
“Then take this opportunity to build a car factory in the North. A union wouldn’t even be able to form there.”
“In North Korea? Build a car factory?”
“Yes. I’ve been put in charge of developing the Nampo Economic Special Zone. Rather than expanding further in China, wouldn’t North Korea be a better option? How about shifting one or two factories toward Nampo?”
“I appreciate the offer, but we only just started operating a factory in China last year. If we spread production all the way to Nampo...”
“I know. But that factory can’t really be called Daehyeon Motors, can it?”
The factory built in China had been a joint venture with Beijing Automotive, created solely to target the Chinese domestic market.
Beijing Daehyeon, formed with a fifty-fifty investment, grew rapidly.
But that growth would be short-lived. As more forces began to check China, its position would inevitably become awkward.
Eventually, growth would stall, and later, it would become a burden.
“That may be true, but the Chinese market will continue to grow.”
“I agree. But the Chinese government will also want to nurture its own automotive industry. A strategy focused solely on China isn’t a good one.”
“Of course, we don’t intend to rely only on China. We’re building factories in India, Turkey, and the United States as well.”
“But you don’t plan to build any more factories in Korea.”
“......”
Daehyeon Motors hadn’t started out with a union.
Chairman Song Youngjoo had never been the kind of man who would allow one.
But even Song Youngjoo, who had once dominated his workforce with sheer charisma, eventually gave in to government pressure and approved the establishment of a union. It was a move completely unlike Ilseong Group.
That decision haunted him for the rest of his life.
Things eventually reached the point where even building new factories was met with fierce opposition from the union.
“Producing cars in Nampo and exporting them overseas would still be competitive. Labor costs would be lower than in China. And if North Korea’s economy grows as rapidly as expected, you’ll gain a foothold to dominate the North Korean domestic market as well.”
South Korea’s economic growth rate had already begun to visibly decline. In contrast, North Korea was bound to follow the same path South Korea once had and experience rapid growth.
Once basic survival is secured, people start looking elsewhere.
Better food. Better homes. And luxury goods like cars.
“...I’ll think about it.”
“Caution is good, but you could miss the opportunity. I believe now is the right time. If you announce plans to build a car factory, Chairman Jang Songthaek will probably welcome it with open arms. I believe you’ve discussed this before.”
“We did, but I never gave a definite answer. I still don’t fully trust the North Korean government. Even when my father was alive, that was why he opposed doing business with the North.”
That was understandable. There hadn’t been tangible results yet.
Although Chairman Song Youngjoo had aggressively pushed North Korea-related projects forward, I had heard that Song Chanseong opposed them until the very end.
If I hadn’t existed, Song Chanseong’s foresight would have been correct.
North Korea was not a trustworthy partner.
But saying that out loud now would only do harm.
“Chairman. If you can’t trust the North Korean government, then trust me.”
“...What?”
“I intend to turn the Nampo Economic Special Zone into the largest logistics hub in Asia. Even if it means mobilizing every ounce of my capabilities.”
Would there ever be another chance to transform an entire city into a massive logistics hub?
If not now, and if not in North Korea, it would be impossible.
Seeing Song Chanseong deep in thought, I let out a quiet chuckle.
“If funding is an issue, should I lend it to you? If you use your shares as collateral, I could provide enough capital to build several factories.”
“Don’t joke about things like that, even in jest.”
At the word “collateral,” Song Chanseong turned pale.
“Haha. I’m joking. There are other ways to arrange financing, so give it some thought. If not now, you may never even get the chance to bring it up.”
“...Hmm.”
Song Chanseong fell silent. He was the type of businessman who knew when to gamble on instinct, but also when to wait patiently for the right opportunity.
Pushing him further would be pointless. With that small piece of advice, I decided to end the discussion about factories.
“If you’re considering it, sounding out Chairman Jang Songthaek about what benefits you’d receive for building a factory wouldn’t be a bad idea. Especially on a celebratory day like today.”
As our conversation ended, we arrived at the site of the groundbreaking ceremony within the Kaesong Industrial Complex.
‘It’s completely barren.’
That was my first impression as I stepped off the bus. A vast, empty plain stretched out before my eyes.
At the center of the open ground stood a stage, bearing a banner that read, ‘Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Construction of the Kaesong Industrial Zone.’
On the South Korean side were President Yoon Changho, leaders of both ruling and opposition parties, and the chairmen of Daehyeon Group. On the North Korean side were Chairman Jang Songthaek and other figures ranked within the top ten of the power structure.
North Korean residents who would work as laborers on the project, as well as managers from Daehyeon Construction, were also present.
Naturally, press corps from both South and North Korea had come to document the historic ceremony.
After briefly surveying the area, I chose not to sit in the VIP seats on the stage, but in the chairs set up below.
Today’s protagonists were President Yoon Changho, Chairman Jang Songthaek, and Chairman Song Chanwoo—not me.
As I exchanged a glance with Myungsoo seated in the VIP section, the ceremony began.
“I am Jang Songthaek, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.”
With Jang Songthaek’s grand opening address, the ceremony commenced.
“...And so, at last, here on this land of Kaesong, the North and the South have become one to build factories together.” freewebnσvel.cøm
His speech went on for quite some time, his face filled with what appeared to be a sincere smile.
I watched him with a faint smile of my own.
But only briefly.
As his speech drew toward its conclusion, the words that followed wiped the smile from my face.
“While President Yoon Changho’s determination was crucial to this groundbreaking, there is also a hidden contributor unknown to many.”
Jang Songthaek paused and looked directly at me.
All eyes followed his gaze.
‘Damn it...’
I let out a deep sigh inwardly as he opened his mouth again.
“President Kim Muhyuk. Please come up. Your place is not down there, but beside President Yoon Changho and myself, is it not?”
Jang Songthaek called my name and gestured. I had wanted this to pass quietly, but he clearly had other plans. With no choice, I stood.
Ignoring a direct summons from Jang Songthaek would have been unthinkable.
Remaining seated would have been tantamount to insulting him.
“Please give President Kim Muhyuk a round of applause.”
Jang Songthaek began clapping first, and the crowd followed.
At least this wasn’t being broadcast live. Footage could be erased later, but the memories of those watching couldn’t.
Swallowing my curses, I stepped onto the stage. Jang Songthaek extended his hand.
As I took it, he spoke again.
“Thank you for your efforts in the construction of the Kaesong Industrial Complex, President Kim Muhyuk.”
Perhaps because this was a formal setting, he addressed me in semi-formal speech.
“It was only possible because of President Yoon Changho and your determination, Chairman.”
As camera flashes erupted around us, Jang Songthaek pulled me closer and embraced me.
“I’m sorry, President Kim. Please understand, just for today.”
He whispered quietly during the embrace. I had no choice but to nod.
Jang Songthaek had handed me full authority over the development of Nampo City.
To justify that decision in the eyes of North Korean officials, mentioning me here was understandable.
After the short, awkward display ended, I was guided to my seat by the host.
Fortunately, it was among the Daehyeon Group chairmen.
“President Kim. It seems Jang Songthaek thinks highly of you.”
Chairman Song Chanwoo said with audible admiration, unaware of the full circumstances.
He appeared genuinely surprised that Jang Songthaek had publicly credited me.
“If it looked that way, then that’s fortunate. I was just trying to let things pass quietly.”
“Haha, but how splendid is this? At a moment when North and South become one, the credit is given to you. All of this will be recorded in history.”
I let his praise go in one ear and out the other, focusing on the speeches.
When Jang Songthaek finished, President Yoon Changho stepped forward.
“Greetings, comrades of the North. I am Yoon Changho, President of the Republic of Korea.”
Yoon Changho began his address by introducing himself to the North Korean residents seated before him.
“Thanks to Chairman Jang Songthaek’s determination, the North and South have finally come together to begin construction of the Kaesong Industrial Complex. Let this not be the end, but the beginning—so that the Korean people of the North and South may become even more united and astonish the world.”
His voice rang with conviction as he spoke of a hopeful future.
Perhaps moved by his resolve, a few North Korean residents nodded along.
“If young entrepreneurs like President Kim Muhyuk, seated over there, continue to work hard, then perhaps one day reunification itself will no longer be a dream.”
I hadn’t expected my name to come out of Yoon Changho’s mouth as well. It wasn’t as if the two of ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) them had coordinated this.
And reunification, huh. It seemed Yoon Changho was truly serious.
Just breaking ground at Kaesong would be enough to secure his place in history. Now that he’d achieved one milestone, it seemed he wanted another.
“The Kaesong Industrial Complex is a symbol of a new era. The time has come for the North and South to move forward through harmony rather than confrontation.”
After Yoon Changho’s speech concluded, Han Jiho spoke on behalf of the ruling party, followed by Kim Seonggeun, the opposition’s emergency committee chairman.
When the long, tedious speeches finally ended, we moved on to the next event.
Several shovels were planted into a mound of piled earth, prepared for the ceremonial first dig.
President Yoon Changho, Representative Han Jiho, and Chairman Kim Seonggeun stood side by side. Opposite them stood Jang Songthaek and other North Korean power figures.
I was watching from a distance when—
“President Kim. What are you doing? Come over here and do it with us.”
President Yoon Changho called out to me. Not to be outdone, Jang Songthaek gestured as well.
“President Kim Muhyuk. Come quickly. You should be the first to break the ground.”
