Free Web Novel“Welcome. Prime Minister Koizumi.”
“A pleasure. Chairman Jang Songthaek.”
Jang Songthaek had done something unusual for the North Korea–Japan summit held in Pyongyang — he had invited the entire global press corps.
The public session was staged in a warm, amicable atmosphere. The images were broadcast across the world.
Once the reporters were dismissed, however, the private session that followed was heavy in tone, completely different from what had just been shown.
Jang Songthaek and Prime Minister Koizumi sat facing each other alone, without aides.
“Ha ha. Is this not a historic moment? North Korea and Japan stepping over the past and moving toward the future together.”
Koizumi’s face was filled with an easy smile.
“Stepping over the past and moving toward the future. Fine words. Provided Japan truly reflects on that past.”
“...Isn’t that already settled in the agreement?”
“Such matters are for the working-level officials to handle. Why don’t the two of us speak frankly instead? Let’s remove the masks and have an honest conversation.”
Jang smiled lightly. Koizumi’s eyebrow twitched.
“What are you getting at?”
“Why is Japan so eager to normalize relations with us — even willing to pay reparations?”
“What difference does that make?”
“You spoke of moving forward together. That requires trust.”
Koizumi pressed his lips shut. Jang continued without hesitation.
“If you prefer not to answer, that’s your choice. But I find it difficult to understand. Until now, haven’t our two countries maintained a rather convenient adversarial coexistence? Both sides consolidated internal power because of it. Ah, of course, I do not mean you personally, Prime Minister.”
Japan had frequently used both South and North Korea in its domestic politics.
At the pointed remark, Koizumi frowned.
“I am not a far-right nationalist.”
“Is that so? To be honest, I am a nationalist. If I could strengthen my power by using Japan, I would have done so.”
There was no regret in Jang’s tone. Koizumi’s expression tightened.
“But instead, I am focused on reviving the Republic’s economy. And for that, I require the reparations to serve as seed money. That is why I am pursuing improved relations with Japan. Which leads me to a question. What exactly does Japan gain from this summit and normalization?”
Koizumi hesitated briefly. He could not read what Jang was plotting.
But only for a moment. He answered calmly.
“Because inter-Korean relations have improved. The international community’s perception of North Korea is beginning to change, and East Asia is shifting because of it. Yet in that shifting landscape, Japan finds itself without a seat at the table. I did not like that.”
Jang nodded.
“I understand Japan’s position. But we have opposed each other for too long to speak of trust so easily.”
“Then we rebuild the relationship gradually. Beyond the settlement funds, we are prepared to offer economic assistance. You have said economic development is your top priority. There can be no better proposal.” ƒгeewёbnovel.com
“That sounds as if Japan wishes to secure a foothold in the Republic’s projects.”
Jang’s tone was sharp. Koizumi did not flinch.
“Among the countries near North Korea, none possess capital strength like Japan. If we join hands, it would benefit us both.”
“You expect me to break my promise to President Kim Muhyuk and take Japan’s hand instead? I see no reason to abandon the man who has already given me trust.”
“I am not asking you to abandon him. I, too, have received much help from him. But separate from that, surely there are projects our two nations can pursue together?”
They spoke for a long time after that. Yet neither man revealed his true intentions.
* * *
While the North Korea–Japan summit was dominating headlines worldwide, I was meeting another man.
“I’ve heard much about you, CEO. The first internal promotion to President at Korea Telecom.”
He laughed modestly.
“It happened by chance.”
“I also heard you’re a senior. You graduated from Korea National University’s business department.”
At the mention of Korea National University, the guarded look in his eyes softened slightly.
“Ah, is that so? I did hear about it. That the top entrant to the law program was named Kim Muhyuk.”
As we exchanged greetings, the servers entered with our food.
After they left, we resumed conversation over the meal.
“You remained at Korea Telecom even after privatization was completed. I heard you received numerous scouting offers.”
Korea Telecom had started under the Ministry of Communications, passed through public enterprise status, and successfully completed privatization.
The man sitting across from me, Nam Jungsik, had begun as a bureaucrat and risen to President of Korea Mobile Telecommunications after privatization.
Before his appointment, he had served as Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer at Korea Telecom, responsible for corporate finance — a capable man by any measure.
“I spent most of my youth with Korea Telecom. I had no reason to leave.”
He did not hide his affection for the company.
“Your relationship with KS Telecom isn’t good, is it?”
In 2002, after Korea Telecom’s privatization was finalized, there had been an ironic development — KS Telecom became its largest shareholder.
Nam Jungsik had been one of the internal figures who strongly criticized KS Telecom over that incident.
Working with the government, he led the share swap that eliminated KS Telecom’s influence entirely from Korea Telecom.
As the CFO who had spearheaded that effort, he later received a scouting offer from KS Telecom.
His response to them had left a deep impression on me.
‘There is no KS Telecom in my résumé.’
Nam Jungsik disliked KS Telecom.
No — hated them would be more accurate.
During Korea Telecom’s privatization process, the company’s timeline had been delayed due to KS Telecom’s political connections with the government. For him, that was unforgivable.
“It’s neither good nor bad. They’re simply a competitor. Maintaining a friendly relationship is difficult.”
“A competitor? The mobile market share gap is more than double.”
Nam Jungsik paused mid-bite and looked straight at me.
“What is your intention in saying that?”
“I’m speaking of reality. At this rate, you’ll remain the perpetual number two in mobile communications.”
“That isn’t certain yet.”
As far as I knew, even decades later, Korea Telecom would never defeat KS Telecom.
“Do you truly believe that?”
“....”
He did not answer immediately. I smiled.
“It seems even you know you cannot win.”
“There is no such thing as ‘absolute.’ If not me, then someone else will make it happen.”
I nodded and set my chopsticks down.
After taking a sip of tea to cleanse my palate, I continued.
“Perhaps. But what meaning does that have? It must be done by your own hand to matter.”
“I am merely laying the foundation for the privatized Korea Telecom. The rest belongs to the next generation.”
“Do you mean that sincerely? If so, today’s meeting may have no meaning.” freewebnovёl.ƈom
He stared at me intently. I did not avert my gaze.
“I believe you’re a man with ambition. Not someone who settles at this level.”
“....”
He looked troubled.
I smiled and pressed the bell beside me.
The servers cleared the table and returned with makgeolli and freshly made pajeon.
“I heard you like makgeolli. Let’s have a drink and speak honestly.”
Nam Jungsik said nothing, shifting his gaze between the bottle and me.
He was trying to discern my purpose.
“Do you remember the grandmother’s restaurant in front of Korea National University?”
“How could I forget? I practically lived there during college.”
I poured makgeolli into the metal bowl and slid it toward him.
“Let’s start with a drink.”
In midair, our bowls clinked together, and the makgeolli sloshed over slightly.
I drained mine in one go, then tore off a piece of pajeon and put it in my mouth.
“How does it taste?”
“It’s decent.”
“Compared to the place run by that grandmother near campus?”
“Hmm. I think the one we had there tasted better.”
“Strange, isn’t it? The makgeolli we just drank costs more than ten times as much.”
“Does it?”
As the bowls went back and forth a few more times, I could feel Nam Jungsik’s guard lowering.
Still, there was a faint wall around him. I’d heard he wasn’t the type to trust people easily. It seemed true.
“You know the iPhone, don’t you?”
Nam Jungsik nodded.
“Of course. If you work in this industry and don’t know that, you shouldn’t be here.”
“Apple wants to launch the iPhone simultaneously in the United States and Korea.”
“Is that true? Why Korea of all places?”
“It’s a bit embarrassing to say, but apparently it’s because of me.”
Nam Jungsik’s eyes widened. His lips parted, but no words came out.
I added an explanation.
“I’m personally acquainted with Steve Jobs. Because of that, I secured exclusive distribution rights for the iPhone in Korea, China, and Japan. That’s why I asked to meet you today.”
“Hmm. The iPhone uses GSM, doesn’t it?”
“There’s also a 3G version. It hasn’t been revealed yet. And among Korean carriers, Korea Telecom is the first to provide 3G service, isn’t it?”
“Are you saying you want an exclusive contract with us?”
I gave a small nod.
“That’s right. I’d like to sign an exclusive deal with Korea Telecom.”
Nam Jungsik’s eyes grew even wider. He picked up his bowl and emptied it in one gulp.
“I still don’t understand. Why choose us over KS Telecom?”
“To be honest, I already met with KS Telecom. They declined. Too comfortable at the top, I suppose.”
“...That’s understandable. They built and led this market.”
“I’ve heard Korea Telecom isn’t exactly fond of the iPhone either.”
Nam Jungsik nodded with a grave expression.
“We can’t simply welcome it. Even what’s publicly known isn’t favorable from a carrier’s perspective.”
“CEO Nam. Do you truly think so?”
The Nam Jungsik I knew had fought tirelessly to bring the iPhone into Korea.
He had ultimately failed before stepping down, but because of his efforts, Korea Telecom secured exclusive distribution in my previous life.
“In the United States, it won’t be Verizon. It will be AT&T — the number two carrier — that gets exclusive distribution.”
That fact had not yet been made public.
“Is that true?”
“Yes. The contract hasn’t been signed yet, but the agreement is already in place. It will be announced soon. Apple’s policy is to designate one carrier per country for exclusive supply for several years.”
“And KS Telecom still refused?”
“Yes. They said they couldn’t accept Apple’s conditions.”
“What kind of conditions are we talking about...?”
Curiosity and urgency colored his tone. I placed the prepared documents on the table.
“Read for yourself. These are Apple’s requirements.”
Nam Jungsik picked up the documents and scanned them carefully, his face hardening as he read.
After setting them down, he let out a deep sigh.
“I understand why KS Telecom rejected this.”
Apple’s demands for Korea came down to three main conditions:
To maintain exclusivity, sell one million units annually.
Expand Wi-Fi infrastructure nationwide and maintain it.
Pay Apple ten percent of the monthly service fee.
“If Korea Telecom refuses, I’ll negotiate with Geumseong Telecom. If they refuse as well, there will be no Korean launch.”
I spoke firmly. Nam Jungsik swallowed.
“You’re boxed in at the top, and Geumseong Telecom is pressing from below. This could be an opportunity for Korea Telecom.”
“Can the iPhone really succeed? Domestic opinion isn’t favorable.”
“If you see it for yourself, you won’t say that.”
At his puzzled expression, I took the iPhone out of my jacket.
“This is completely different from anything released so far. It will change the way people live.”
“Isn’t that the iPhone? How on earth did you get it?”
“A gift from Steve Jobs.”
“May I see it?”
I nodded and handed it over.
He took it with slightly trembling hands and examined it for a long time.
“It’s certainly beautiful. The screen is large, too.”
“The era is changing. And whoever captures the market first will have the advantage. That’s how you take customers from KS Telecom. Even now, in the handset market, Korea Telecom lacks competitiveness compared to them, doesn’t it?”
Nam Jungsik handed the iPhone back and nodded.
“That’s true. But will the government allow exclusive supply?”
“I’ll handle that.”
“And... one million units is too many. The smartphone market isn’t that large yet.”
He began listing potential problems one by one.
“The devices released so far as ‘smartphones’ are almost embarrassing to call that. They’re too crude for ordinary consumers. But the iPhone is different. I believe it can sell more than a million.”
The iPhone had arrived several years earlier than in my memory. Its level of completion was even higher.
If not for interference from the government and the communications commission, success was practically guaranteed.
Nam Jungsik and I continued discussing the exclusive launch for quite some time.
