1979, Manager Kim is Inheriting Dictatorship! - Chapter 144



Only Krnovel

Episode 144

The Permian Basin, located in western Texas.

It was known to have the largest amount of shale gas and oil reserves in the United States.

“You said you were going to come by 3 o’clock today, right?”

“Yes. We will sign the contract today and start construction tomorrow.”

Jake, the president of Perm Shale, a shale gas development company in the Perm Basin, has taken on an important role at the national level beyond simply being the president of a company, to the point that the Secretary of State has contacted him several times.

“If it’s true what those humans said, then after this upgrade, drilling efficiency will increase significantly, right?”

“Yes, that’s right, sir. Right now, even if you search the entire world, there is no other place with that level of technology.”

Current shale gas drilling operations are actually the worst in terms of efficiency.

There were other reasons, but one was that the cheap crude oil coming from Block 7 meant that there was no great need for alternative resources.

So, in fact, every time I sold, I ended up in the red.

If we had not received subsidies from the government as a domestic energy industry, we probably would not have survived until now.

But that was all an old story.

It was clear that once this contract and equipment upgrade were completed, profitability would increase significantly to the point where it would become profitable.

At that moment, when people were waiting so eagerly, the sound of a car was heard from far away.

“Oh, I think it’s coming.”

The secretary points to a black sedan approaching from afar.

And after a while, a black sedan arrives in front of the company and the people who came to sign this contract get out.

But something is strange.

The expressions on the faces of the people who came to sign the contract were so crumpled.

The president asks his secretary in a low voice so that the people who came to sign the contract cannot hear.

“Why do those people have such expressions?”

The secretary also answers with a puzzled look.

“That’s right. Did something happen on the way here?”

The expressions of the people from the contracting company who got out of the car were crumpled, as if they had stepped in poop on the road.

‘Well, what’s the big deal… … .’

Jake didn’t seem to care much, and just walked over and shook their hands, welcoming them.

“Thank you for coming! Please come in quickly.”

“That, that… Director… … .”

The people from the other company who came to sign the contract are in a strange state.

“What’s wrong? Your expression is… … .”

“That’s it, it’s nothing else. Actually… … .”

He stops talking, saying that he was trying to make me feel suffocated.

“What is it? Please tell me. What happened?”

The drilling equipment company director who came to sign the contract sighed deeply and spoke in a dejected voice.

“I’m sorry, but please cancel this contract.”

“Huh? What are you talking about? Isn’t this a contract that has already been signed in detail? All you have to do is stamp it. Why are you suddenly doing this?”

“That’s true, in Korea… … .”

He’s trailing off again.

Jake finally explodes and asks in a raised voice.

“What is Korea! Hey, speak properly. Did they send the mafia to threaten you or something?”

“That’s not it… In fact, we said that we will no longer trade major components in Korea.”

“Yes… … ?? What does that mean!”

* * *

The president personally called Gu Seok-hyeon, the executive director of the 7th Mining Resources Corporation, who was the team leader of the 7th Mining Resources Corporation a few years ago and has now been promoted to executive director in charge of the overseas division in recognition of his achievements.

“Director Gu Seok-Hyeon, this is Kim Jeong-Guk.”

He stands up in surprise and bows his head in greeting, even though the President is not right in front of him.

“Oh, Mr. President!! It’s an honor to have you call me in person.”

“Haha, what glory, that’s too much flattery.”

“Oh, no! But why did you call me directly?”

I quietly told him what I had called him for today.

“Team Leader Koo Seok-hyeon, are you currently exporting the drilling technology and parts of the 7th mine resource company to the United States or other countries? Is that correct?”

Team leader Gu Seok-hyeon answers immediately.

“Yes, that’s right. Although we are the 7th mine resource company, our drilling technology itself is the best in the world, so we manufacture all the drilling equipment not only for 7th mine but also for Habarabdo and other regions of the country. And as you mentioned, we also export them overseas.”

They were exporting parts and technologies from the drilling equipment used in the 7th mine area, not only to Habarabdo but also to many places overseas.

And it was the same in America.

‘also.’

I heard the story and asked him again.

“So, is there any country in the world today that has better drilling technology than us?”

His answer was decisive.

“No. There is absolutely no country that does. Even the next most advanced country’s drilling technology is at least 10 years behind ours.”

“Then, if we don’t sell parts to a country that really needs the 7th Mining District Resources Corporation’s drilling technology, that country will be in a lot of trouble.”

“Yes. But, why is that… … .”

I gave him instructions in a firm voice.

“Director Koo Seok-hyun, from today onwards, stop exporting everything to the United States, including all drilling technology, parts, and human resources.”

“Huh? Are you talking about the United States?”

Managing Director Gu Seok-hyeon asks in surprise.

Although I am responsible for all overseas parts, I feel burdened by being suddenly told to stop all exports to the US.

“Don’t worry too much and just go ahead. The government will take full responsibility for any losses you incur.”

Only then does the relieved Managing Director Gu Seok-hyung answer in a powerful voice.

“Yes! I understand. Then I will implement it starting tomorrow.”

I ended the call with him and smiled like a villain.

‘Well, now that shale gas drilling has been blocked, what will happen?’

* * *

It’s been three months since South Korea blocked crude oil exports to the United States.

In the United States, problems began to slowly emerge.

The same problems Japan had experienced when it blocked crude oil exports to Japan in the past were starting to erupt.

“FUCK! Gas prices are like this! How am I supposed to drive my car like this!”

A gray-haired white man yells angrily at a gas station.

In just three months, gasoline prices have risen 70 percent.

It was an unbelievably high increase.

And of course, this increase wasn’t limited to gasoline alone.

As crude oil prices rose, various factors, including logistics costs, increased, causing prices of most goods to rise.

And this has become a huge problem for corporate America as well.

This is because there was nothing that did not rise, starting with electricity rates, logistics, and transportation.

Apparently, just three months ago, an American-made 40-inch TV was priced at $500.

The price of a 40-inch TV imported from Korea was originally $400, but the tariff bomb caused the price to rise to $700.

Of course, if we only consider quality, the Korean product was much better, but the price difference of $200 could not be ignored.

That’s why some consumers have started buying American TVs instead of the Korean ones they always chose.

But in just three months, American TV manufacturers were forced to raise their prices from $500 to $750.

It was an inevitable decision, as crude oil prices were rising at an absurd rate and it was at a level where you would lose money every time you sold without raising the price.

However, this ultimately led to the loss of competitiveness with Korean products.

Because of the tariffs, price competitiveness was the only advantage of American products at the time, but with that gone, both are expensive anyway, so consumers are turning to Korean products that are still of better quality.

“No, what the hell is this? What kind of TV is this expensive! Even last month, American TVs were $500!”

Susan, a housewife who came to buy a TV, asks the salesperson angrily.

Clearly, when I went to the mart before, I remember that Korean products were $700 and American products were $500.

Although Korean products were said to be of good quality, Susan, who was on a tight budget, eventually decided to buy American products even though the quality was slightly lower, and came back to the mart.

However, within a month, the price of American TVs I saw at the supermarket had risen sharply, and they were now more expensive than Korean products.

“I’m sorry, ma’am. Due to the recent rise in crude oil prices, we had no choice but to raise the prices of our products.”

Susan asks with a deep sigh.

“Do you have any other cheaper TVs?”

The salesperson cautiously introduces a 40-inch Chinese-made product that costs $350.

“If you’re looking for something cheap, how about these Chinese products?”

Susan looks at the salesperson with a puzzled expression and replies annoyedly.

“No, I’m kidding! No matter how cheap it is, why would I use a Chinese product? Are you asking me to spend $350 on a Chinese product that will break down in a year at most?”

The finish looks shabby at first glance.

Even the design looks cheap.

Rather than buying this, I would have been more comfortable continuing to use my current 24-inch Korean TV.

Sweat forms on the forehead of the rather old salesperson.

Today was already the 7th day that a customer complained about the price being expensive.

Even though he is a veteran, he is starting to get tired.

“I’m sorry, but if you’re looking for a cheap deal, you either have to buy something made in China or buy a smaller TV.”

Susan was a little annoyed, but she didn’t think the salesperson was wrong, and it wasn’t his fault that the price had gone up so much.

He also knew from reading the newspaper why prices were rising so absurdly these days.

‘Anyway, what suffering is this because we elected the wrong president… …!’

Susan hesitates for a moment, then decides and tells the salesperson.

“Ugh… Just give me a Korean TV.”

The salesperson checks with Susan one more time.

“Are you sure you’re okay with a Korean TV?”

“Okay. A $350 Chinese TV will probably break down in a year, but if I buy a Korean TV, I’ll use it for at least 20 years. I can’t afford an American TV for $750.”

“Okay, I understand. Then how would you like to receive it? Would you like to pick it up yourself? Or would you like it delivered and installed?”

“Please do delivery and installation.”

The salesperson writes it down in the notebook he has and tells Susan.

“If you choose delivery and installation, an additional $100 will be charged. It was free until last month, but this month, the head office has issued a directive that it is impossible to do it for free due to the rising price of crude oil.”

“What? A hundred dollars? Sigh… … .”

Susan takes out her phone and calls her husband.

“You, please bring some tea to the mart.”

My husband, who was resting, was like a bolt from the blue.

“What, baseball is starting soon!”

I tried to come up with excuses not to go out, but all I got was more nagging from Susan.

“If you don’t come out, I’ll have to do delivery and installation, and that’ll cost you another $100! Stop whining and come out!”

Susan hangs up the phone before her husband can confirm his acknowledgment.

“I heard.”

The salesperson quickly draws a line with a ballpoint pen over the part that says “delivery and installation.”

“Yes. Then you are going to pick it up yourself. Just a moment. I will bring the product over to you right away. Just a moment.”

The salesperson leaves for the warehouse to bring in the TV.

Susan began swearing to herself as soon as the salesperson left.

“FUCK!!!”

Today, another American withdrew his support for the Bush administration.

As support from the working class gradually declined, Bush’s trade war with Korea was gradually reaching its limits.