I Became Park Jeong-ui’s Nephew - Chapter 186



Only Krnovel

He became Park Jeong-ui’s nephew. – (186)

‘A sense of ownership…’

This is on a plane heading to the United Arab Emirates.

Hyundai Group Chairman Chung Ju-young was deep in thought.

The words of the head of state that still linger in my mind are that the Republic of Korea is a democratic country and that everyone is qualified to be its owner.

Then, does that mean I don’t understand the topic by stepping forward to become the owner?

However, such an ambition was slowly sprouting in Chairman Chung Ju-young’s mind.

‘There’s nothing I can’t do. I have a stronger sense of ownership than anyone else.’

Hyundai Group is now a global company that has transcended the boundaries of Korea.

Who is responsible for making the company this big?

Thanks to the full support of the government? Even if the government provides support, if the chairman commits corruption, the company will be at a standstill.

However, Chairman Chung Ju-young set an example by having a sense of responsibility that he was the owner of this company, and is now treated as a worker recognized by the country.

So, can’t we shift that responsibility from the company to the country?

Now I want to turn to politics, but I am worried about the opposition from those around me.

If a businessman decides to go into politics, would those around him stay still?

They will start a political offensive, saying that they are doing something pointless, and the vested interest group, especially centered around Prime Minister Park Chung-hee, will not tolerate that.

So, are the privileged class a group of corrupt officials with no sense of ownership?

It’s a bit embarrassing to belittle them like that, because the current vested interests may be greedy, but they do have a sense of ownership.

“I am the owner of this country. So I must develop it.”

Prime Minister Park Jeong-ui is a typical example. People are so greedy that they would jump out of their sleep if it meant power, but they are sincere when it comes to the development of the country.

It was he who theoretically supported the head of state’s economic development plan.

Who is the one who habitually insisted that manufacturing should be greatly expanded and used as the foundation for national development? The plan for balanced national development also came from that person, so it is unreasonable to disparage him as a corrupt official.

‘If a person is to engage in politics, he or she must have not only ability but also a sense of ownership.’

Prime Minister Park Chung-hee has made several mistakes due to his lust for power, but why is his neck still attached to his torso?

If you think he has kept his position simply because he is the uncle of the head of state, you are misjudged.

And since the head of state appoints people with ability and a sense of ownership, he or she can rule the country without much effort. Can a person who thinks he or she is better than others and cannot trust others rule a country?

Of course, his uncle is a businessman and a head of state who manipulates politicians well.

That’s what it means to be a real ruler.

Chairman Chung Ju-young also realized this, so he appointed a 33-year-old young man to the position of vice president despite opposition.

Now he has started to imitate politicians rather than economists.

‘I also need to create a political party soon. I also need to secure many talented people with a sense of ownership and responsibility.’

Companies have a good environment for selecting such talents.

A company is an organization where everyone, from the CEO to the employees, must make efforts because if they do not achieve results, they will fail.

As you get promoted and become successful in your company, you will develop a sense of ownership that you never had before, so in the future, I plan to promote talented people to high-ranking positions regardless of their age.

Lee Myung-bak is one of them, so I brought him along on this business trip.

Given the turbulent political situation in the Middle East, it was necessary to bring in talented individuals with both ability and a sense of ownership. This was how Chairman Chung Ju-young’s challenge began.

***

‘I’m the boss here? This can’t be a dream, right?’

This is Abu Dhabi, the center of the United Arab Emirates.

Lee Myung-bak set foot on this land as the president of an oil refinery operated by Hyundai Group.

It was only a few months ago that you were promoted to vice president, and now you’re the president.

I was a little taken aback, but I accepted the reality.

The most pressing issue now is that the United Arab Emirates is on the brink of war.

As we heard at Changgyeonggung Palace, the power struggle between British-backed Abu Dhabi and American-backed local lords continues.

So what happens to Korean oil companies?

As the saying goes, “When whales fight, shrimps get their backs broken,” so I wonder if we’ll be taken over by rioters.

To prevent that, 350 Korean soldiers are stationed here, where Lee Myung-bak, the head of the Korean military, has become the president of Hyundai Group, dispatching 5,000 troops.

It’s quite a large number, but is this enough to stop the mobs?

Lee Myung-bak also considered the worst-case scenario.

‘What if this company really gets surrounded by mobs?’

Even if you are the CEO, you are just a salaried worker.

Should I risk my life for the company?

If you’re really in danger of dying, it would be wise to hand over the company to the mob and run away, but then how can you show your face to the chairman?

No, now that I’m the CEO, I feel a little more confident.

‘This is my company now. I have to protect it. Who else would?’

You’re probably under military escort, so what’s there to be afraid of?

I started working as usual and peace continued for a while.

But that didn’t last long, as the worst-case scenario we had feared occurred.

The rebellion of the Toho (Dubai), the second most powerful city in the United Arab Emirates after Abu Dhabi, began with this rebellion, which led to the rise of 11 tribes.

On the surface it looks like an internal strife, but it’s actually a fight between Britain and the United States.

Hyundai Group also faced pressure from both countries.

“That is a dangerous area. Everyone, please evacuate the factory.”

“I refuse.”

“This is our company. We will protect it no matter what happens.”

The presidents under Hyundai Group refused to withdraw as if they had made a promise.

They are all elite agents selected by Chairman Chung Ju-young.

Because they were people with such a strong sense of ownership, they did not run away and abandon the company.

The same goes for Korean soldiers, who expressed their position that they cannot give up this place no matter what happens.

An embarrassing development for the UK and the US,

If a neutral power like Korea withdraws from this land, the two sides will be able to fight for power without worry, but that is not happening.

Are Korean businessmen and soldiers really willing to risk their lives to protect their factories and companies?

Abu Dhabi, feeling that it would be left with neither food nor shelter, took a desperate measure.

“Attack the Korean factory”

“But isn’t that a neutral zone? There are soldiers guarding it, so if you go in by mistake… ”

“There is no need to attack them directly, just scare them away. They are holding on because we are standing still.”

Can you still talk nonsense about protecting the company when surrounded by thousands of people?

Abu Dhabi mobilized hundreds of thousands of people to surround Korean companies.

The company Lee Myung-bak was the CEO of was one of them, and its employees were gripped by fear as tens of thousands of rioters surrounded its factories and businesses.

“Uh… What should I do? Should I run away now?”

“Wait a minute, the boss didn’t give any instructions?”

“That boss might have run away first. Let’s run away first.”

Outside, the mob is shouting for the factory to be vacated. What sense of responsibility do these mere workers have to risk their lives here?

Everyone rushed to the president’s office and knocked on the door.

“Boss!! We have to run away quickly!!”

“It’s no use if we die!! All soldiers must withdraw!!”

“Boss!! Are you listening to us?!! If we keep doing this, we could all die!!”

Lee Myung-bak was also pushed to his limit by his employees’ urging.

I never thought that the mob would really surround this place.

I wanted to throw away my position as CEO and go outside to beg for my life from the mob, but my sense of ownership held me back.

‘If I die, I die. I can’t surrender to the mob. This is my company.’

But can you force that kind of sense of ownership on your employees?

First, Lee Myung-bak kicked out the employees who wanted to run away from the company.

This way, the mob will think that the boss will vacate the factory soon, which will buy them some time.

The Korean government would not just sit by and watch this situation unfold, and as the sit-in continued, the rioters began to get anxious.

“Why aren’t you coming out?!!”

“Should I just go in and drag him out?”

“No. If a gunfight with the soldiers starts, it will be a big deal, and the British have repeatedly warned us to avoid direct conflict with the Korean military.”

“But I can’t just stall for time anymore! I have to go and negotiate with the boss!!”

As the mob hesitated, Lee Myung-bak became confident.

That they have no intention of posing a direct threat to Korean companies,

Well, what kind of country is Korea?

Hyundai Group, a country that even the United States, the world’s greatest nation, cannot treat lightly, has come here to represent Korea.

Attacking Hyundai Group means attacking Korea, so there is nothing to be afraid of, right? He made it clear that he would never surrender to the mob.

‘Wow~ So this is what they mean by national prestige?’

Lee Myung-bak felt the dignity of the nation for the first time since his hair grew.

Just having the background of Korea on my back made me feel like I could hold back so many rioters. At that moment, patriotism overflowed from my heart.

It’s the same for soldiers,

Some soldiers even shot and killed rioters who approached the factory.

“Anyone who comes near the factory will be shot dead!!”

“If you come any closer, I will consider it as a declaration of war on South Korea!!”

The soldiers pointed their guns at the rioters as if to say, “Come if you want,” and the rioters quickly retreated out of the firing range.

Factories in other areas are in the same situation. What is there to be afraid of when at least 300 armed soldiers are holding out?

It is more secure because we have the support of the Korean government.

Abu Dhabi did not touch the companies taken over by the Korean government.

As long as there was a neutral power called Korea, the struggle for hegemony between Britain and the United States would fizzle out, and eventually the two sides reached an agreement along appropriate lines.

Abu Dhabi gave up 20% of its 94% monopoly on natural gas to other powers, an incident that attracted enormous attention not only around the world but also in Korea.

“Hyundai Group defended the factory from the mob!!”

“Another hero has appeared in this country!!”

I thought entrepreneurs were just businessmen who cared only about their own interests and had no sense of ownership, but they would protect Korea’s interests to the end.

This incident changed the way Korean public opinion viewed Chairman Chung Ju-young.

As the popularity of the presidents who had protected the factory until the end exploded, Chairman Chung Ju-young, judging that the time had come, declared the founding of a new party.

Now, I have also revealed my intention to engage in politics with a sense of ownership, and the presidents of Hyundai Group have also joined their ranks.

A shocking development for the privileged class.

What kind of politics do businessmen plan to engage in?

Are you satisfied with just making money like before, or do you want to seize power now that you have gained fame?

Prime Minister Park Chung-hee also took steps to exercise minor restraint.

“If everyone is going to get involved in politics, who will lead the companies and contribute to the development of the nation’s industry? I hope Chairman Chung Ju-young changes his mind even now.”

But this persuasion did not work.

There are 500,000 employees under the Hyundai Group, and including their families, Chairman Chung Ju-yung enjoys the support of at least 2 million people.

In addition, it is true that national approval ratings rose due to the recent incident in the United Arab Emirates, and Chairman Chung Ju-young sold some of his stocks and donated them to the country.

I have made it clear that I intend to live as a politician in the future.

The political scene in South Korea fell into chaos when the variable of businesspeople intervened.