Free Web NovelAfter entering Korea, Medvedev went through his scheduled agenda.
Countless people sought him out, regardless of whether they came from political or business circles.
“Russia is open to Korean companies. You are welcome anytime.”
After an intense schedule, Medvedev moved on to full-scale negotiations with the Korean government.
“I would like us to negotiate the concrete details for constructing oil and gas pipelines connecting Russia, North Korea, and South Korea.”
Medvedev didn’t seem to have the slightest intention of dragging out the talks.
Given his blunt manner of speaking, it was only natural that Minister Lee Jinsik of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and Minister Heo Seonggu of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both seated at the negotiating table, looked flustered.
Up to now, the negotiations they had conducted were always like tedious tug-of-war battles, full of diplomatic rhetoric and push-and-pull tactics.
But Medvedev was completely different from any counterpart they had dealt with before.
There was a firm determination in his voice—to move this forward quickly.
“The Presidents of Korea and Russia have already reached an agreement on the broad framework. You both know that, don’t you?”
Minister Lee Jinsik glanced at Minister Heo Seonggu before answering.
“We’ve received word from the President.”
“I visited Korea with full authority delegated by the President. I intend to conclude all negotiations during this visit.”
“But every matter has its procedures.”
“Isn’t this a good thing for Korea? I thought Korea needed this more than Russia.”
As Medvedev said, the South–North–Russia oil and gas pipeline project was far more important to Korea.
“We are already conducting oil and gas pipeline projects together with China. Since we’re doing that anyway, we thought we might as well proceed with Korea too. These things need to move quickly. Otherwise, someone else will step in.”
“I agree with that as well. However, the larger the matter, the more procedures must be followed. If this were just between Korea and Russia, it could be handled quickly, but doesn’t this involve three countries, including North Korea?”
Despite having openly raised the core issue, Medvedev let out a short sigh at the roundabout way they kept circling the point.
“So what exactly are you trying to say?”
“For now, perhaps starting with an MOU...”
“Minister Lee Jinsik. What exactly are you trying to do here? This meeting is meant to coordinate matters that have already been decided. What is your real intention?”
“What do you mean...”
Staring straight at Lee Jinsik, Medvedev narrowed his eyes.
“When I met with your President yesterday, this was already settled. And yet now, the Minister of Trade and Industry is talking about an MOU?”
“......”
“Do you think I put aside my busy schedule and came all the way to Korea just to obtain some non-binding scrap of paper that can be written in ten pages or a hundred pages?”
An MOU between nations was nothing more than an empty check with no binding force.
Once governments signed an MOU, they would publicize it as if the project were already underway, but it was nothing more than a hollow illusion.
“Say it plainly. What exactly are you after? What do you want?”
“What do we want? Nothing of the sort. I was merely talking about following normal procedures.”
“How do you expect to proceed with a project involving multiple countries while strictly adhering to every procedure? This is only the beginning—we’ll need to cooperate on railway projects as well. With this approach, how are we supposed to trust Korea and move forward?”
“Chief of Staff Medvedev, please calm down.”
Minister Heo Seonggu stepped between the two with an affable smile.
“Minister Lee is young and inexperienced. Please be understanding. From now on, please speak with me.”
Lee Jinsik tried to say something, but Heo Seonggu lightly kicked his foot and shot him a look telling him not to step in any further.
“Please tell us first what Russia wants.”
“What we want is simple. Russia will take the lead in this project.”
The gas pipeline project was a national policy initiative for Russia.
Russia’s tsar wanted Russia to hold the initiative in a project that would consume enormous budgets and manpower.
“Of course. That’s only natural. However, Korean companies must also participate.”
This had already been agreed upon. Medvedev nodded indifferently.
“This project will be carried out jointly by Gazprom and Yugansk Oil Company. The Korean partner has already been designated as Jungwoo Refining.”
“Did you say Jungwoo Refining?”
“That’s right. As for the pipeline construction, Jungwoo Construction will serve as the PM. From our side, this is already a considerable concession.”
“Are you saying Jungwoo Construction will be the PM? The PM for a project of this scale?”
At that moment, Lee Jinsik cut into the conversation.
Medvedev paused briefly, shot him a displeased look, and then spoke again.
“That is correct. Jungwoo Construction will oversee this project in its entirety.”
The construction capabilities of Korean firms had already been proven in the global construction market.
However, when it came to the PM (Project Management) field, Korean construction companies had never been able to fully assert themselves.
Their execution capabilities had long been recognized, but they had yet to reach the position of overseeing an entire project—from design and construction to supervision.
PM roles wield enormous influence in the construction industry. More often than not, rather than directly performing construction work, PMs select contractors and assign the work to them.
Global comprehensive construction companies like America’s Bechtel had firmly secured their positions largely thanks to their dominance in PM projects.
“For Jungwoo Construction to take on the PM role for such a major project—has this already been decided?”
Lee Jinsik’s face brightened.
As the Minister of Trade and Industry, there could be no greater achievement.
“If there are no other variables. For example, if controversy over preferential treatment for Jungwoo Group in Korea were to derail the project...”
As Medvedev trailed off, Lee Jinsik bit his ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) lip tightly. That was more than plausible.
Medvedev understood Korea’s circumstances all too well.
“If we cannot proceed together with Jungwoo Group, then this project will be canceled. This is a condition that cannot be changed.”
“If we’re working with a Korean company, does it really matter whether it’s Jungwoo or Daehyun?”
Relaxing his expression, Lee Jinsik stepped forward eagerly.
“With Jungwoo Construction as the PM, and Gazprom, Yugansk, and Jungwoo Refining handling the oil and gas pipelines, this couldn’t be a better arrangement.”
“That’s a bit different from what you were saying earlier. Earlier, you were talking about procedures.”
Medvedev spoke in a sarcastic tone, but Lee Jinsik replied with a smile.
“Haha. Procedures are important, of course. But national interest comes first. Didn’t you say so yourself, Chief of Staff—that Russia prioritizes its national interest? If Jungwoo Construction takes on the PM role for a project of this scale, it will greatly increase the chances of Korean construction firms winning projects around the world. That’s a good thing for us.”
Most large-scale projects were commissioned by governments.
Projects involving national infrastructure or landmark construction typically sought experienced foreign firms.
Lacking experience with major projects, Korean construction companies had repeatedly been passed over.
Even when they tried to build experience, they couldn’t—an endless vicious cycle.
“I believe our construction firms are competitive with any in the world. The only reason we’ve been eliminated from so many projects is our lack of experience. If we can manage the PM role for a project of this magnitude, it will become an achievement no country can ignore.”
Lee Jinsik didn’t stop there—he pushed further.
“Most conditions are negotiable. But since we’re doing this anyway, I’d like to include one additional Korean construction company alongside Jungwoo Construction and proceed as a consortium.”
“Minister Lee.”
Heo Seonggu tried to stop him. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
Openly stating demands at the negotiating table was a rookie mistake.
“A consortium? That increases the scale. If something goes wrong, can you take responsibility?”
As expected, Medvedev didn’t miss the opening and immediately bit the bait.
But Minister Lee Jinsik answered without hesitation, firmly.
“I’ll stake this position on it. If you allow a consortium of two construction companies to handle the project, we’ll concede most points to Russia.”
“Minister Lee!”
Unable to contain himself, Heo Seonggu shouted. He berated Lee Jinsik in Korean.
“Have you lost your mind? By what authority are you agreeing to concede most of the terms? Are you the President?”
“Minister Heo. We have to take this. PM work isn’t something you can just decide to do on a whim. PMs take half of the project’s profits. Even if you’re selected as a contractor over and over, you’re just picking at scraps. A PM role brings greater returns than handling ten construction contracts. But we’ve been pushed out due to lack of experience.”
Lee Jinsik spoke calmly, but he couldn’t hide his sense of grievance.
Heo Seonggu knew well that the Ministry of Trade and Industry had long harbored resentment over PM projects—but the matter was far too big.
“No, listen here—no matter what, you can’t—”
“If we can take on the PM role for a major Russian project, then no matter what we concede, it’s not a losing deal. Minister Heo, I’ve served in the Ministry for decades. I know better than anyone how big this is.”
“No matter how you put it, that’s not how international negotiations work. The moment they know what we want, do you have any idea how much they’ll demand in return?”
“Even so, we have to do it. This is an opportunity—an opportunity. Bigger than oil pipelines or gas pipelines.”
At that moment, Medvedev, who had been silently listening, cleared his throat.
“Are you finished discussing?”
“Ah, my apologies.”
Heo Seonggu snapped back to his senses and bowed his head.
At negotiations like this, conducted in English without interpreters, conversing in one’s own language was discourteous.
“That’s fine. Shall we continue? As for the consortium you mentioned earlier, that’s not something I can decide on my own. The person overseeing this project has already been decided. And because that person wanted Jungwoo Construction to take on the PM role, Jungwoo Construction is handling it. Without that person’s approval, even I can’t reverse the decision.”
At Medvedev’s words, Lee Jinsik blinked in confusion.
Even Medvedev, known as Russia’s second-in-command, couldn’t decide freely?
“Who is that person?”
“I can’t tell you. That individual doesn’t like being in the spotlight. But I can promise you one thing—Jungwoo Construction will definitely take on the PM role. As for the consortium, let’s discuss it again tomorrow. For today, let’s start by adjusting the detailed terms.”
From that point on, full-scale negotiations for the project began.
* * *
After completing her health checkup, Grandma decided to stay in Pyeongchang-dong until the results came out.
“Grandma. I’m heading out to take care of some work. Be sure to eat dinner.”
“Alright. Don’t worry and go. Be careful with the car, and be careful of people.”
While Grandma stayed in Pyeongchang-dong, I decided to put off most other matters.
But since Medvedev’s stay in Korea would only last about a week, this was something that couldn’t be postponed.
“Let’s go to Baekje Hotel.”
The car carrying me headed straight for Baekje Hotel, where Medvedev was staying.
“Manager. About what I asked you to look into?”
Manager Ma turned around and handed me a paper envelope.
I opened it and took out the photos and documents inside.
In the quiet car, the only sound was the rustling of papers as I flipped through them.
Among the documents Manager Ma had provided were several photographs.
They showed Chairman Choi Woosik’s mistress and Yoon Hyunju’s lover together in the same frame.
“Do they know about each other? Knowing and pretending not to—what an interesting family.”
Chairman Choi Woosik’s mistress was living in a large villa in Gyeonggi Province.
She was a former actress who had once dominated the entertainment industry.
“That this actress is famous is one thing—but Director Yoon Hyunju’s lover is even more interesting.”
The man Yoon Hyunju was having an affair with was her driver and personal aide.
What mattered was that the couple knew about each other’s affairs.
“Well, they must have known—that’s why they went through with the paternity test.”
Choi Jinwoo, the son born to Choi Woosik and the actress.
Choi Seungwoo, the son born to Yoon Hyunju and her aide.
To the public, both sons were known as children of Choi Woosik and Yoon Hyunju, but among business circles, it was common knowledge that Choi Jinwoo was an illegitimate child.
Thus, it was widely believed that Choi Seungwoo would inherit KS Group as the legitimate successor.
Choi Woosik was still in his forties, so the transfer of management rights was likely decades away—but generally, succession planning began from childhood.
“Look into this aide in detail.”
“Yes, Boss.”
I had a feeling. At Choi Woosik’s instigation, this aide must have seduced Yoon Hyunju.
Otherwise, there was no way a fiery man like Choi Woosik would knowingly tolerate his wife’s affair.
While reviewing the documents, we arrived at Baekje Hotel.
I went straight up to the suite where Medvedev was staying.
The special envoy delegation that had come with Medvedev occupied an entire floor.
As soon as I stepped out of the elevator, one of Medvedev’s subordinates recognized me and hurried over.
“President Kim Muhyuk! You’ve arrived? The Chairman is waiting for you.”
“Ah, it’s good to see you here. Please lead the way.”
Following his guidance, I entered the place where Medvedev was staying.
