The Magician’s Memorial - Chapter 199



Only Krnovel

Episode 199. Age of Confusion (3)

I have always moved ahead of the times.

The head of the planning department was well aware of that, so he seemed surprised when I suggested growing a general trading company.

This was because there was a strong perception that general trading companies were a business that was already behind the times, rather than a trend of a new era.

“Vice Chairman, a general trading company is necessary for the group to run smoothly, but I doubt whether it can do more than act as a lubricant.”

“It was like that until now, but in the future it must become a core affiliate.”

“May I ask why?”

“This is because we plan to change Taewoo General Trading into a raw material-oriented trading company. “Without raw materials, we cannot pursue home appliances, automobiles, or new businesses.”

The importance of securing raw materials could not be emphasized enough.

It may not seem important right now because there are no major problems securing raw materials.

It was clear that as soon as the smartphone era began in earnest and the electric vehicle era arrived, securing raw materials would become the top priority for all companies.

“Speaking of focusing on raw materials, are you thinking of purchasing overseas mines or oil fields?”

“If only distribution is done, general trading companies have no choice but to suffer losses like now. Therefore, great results can only be achieved if a general trading company takes charge of the entire process, from mining to distribution.”

“You can achieve great results, but on the other hand, you can also see big losses. “More funds are spent to purchase a mine than to acquire most companies.”

Risk management was the core of corporate management.

Therefore, the head of the planning office was reluctant to purchase a high-risk mine.

Even if he wasn’t, most entrepreneurs would be reluctant to run this type of business.

Because it’s no different from gambling.

If you pay a lot of money to buy a mine, but the profitability turns out to be lower than expected, all the investment money becomes a loss.

And because it was really difficult to predict which raw material prices would rise in the future, everything was a gamble.

But I knew the hand that was coming.

There was no reason not to participate in gambling when one knew the loss.

Still, we can’t put a burden on Taewoo Group, so we have to at least pretend to manage risks.

“We will not purchase the mine with Taewoo Group’s funds alone. We plan to purchase the mine together with a hedge fund or financial company. Then, the risk will be dispersed, so even if you suffer a loss, it will be an amount you can easily handle.”

“If it’s that way, I agree. By the way, which mine are you thinking of purchasing?”

“Director, you are well aware that smartphone production will increase further in the future, right?”

“iPhone sales are rising significantly every year, and other electronics companies, including Samjin Electronics, are racing to release smartphones, so we expect sales to more than triple within five years.”

Smartphones were products that required a lot of raw materials.

Among them, the essential raw materials were rare earth elements.

Rare earths simply meant rare earth and were a general term for 17 elements.

“We are looking to purchase a rare earth mine.”

“You can buy rare earths from China at a low price. “If we buy a mine and mine it, we end up bringing in rare earth elements at a higher price.”

“It may be the case right now, but if the price of rare earths rises, we will benefit because we will be able to receive a stable supply of rare earths.”

Raw materials could become a means of blackmail.

In particular, a place like Korea, which has no mineral resources, could face a situation where it has to beg from countries that produce raw materials.

To prevent that from happening, we had to create our own line to supply raw materials.

“Rare earth mining is currently almost monopolized by China.”

“And there are still many untapped rare earth mines left in China. And I know there are a lot of rare earth mines in Australia and Türkiye.”

Rare soil, rare earth.

However, contrary to its name, it was not a rare raw material.

Rare earth elements were buried all over the world. However, they were reluctant to develop it because the mining process caused environmental pollution.

“How many rare earth mines do you plan to purchase?”

“We plan to buy wherever we can. “First, plan to purchase rare earth mines in China and also mines in Australia and Turkey.”

“It may be possible in China, but in Australia, mining may be difficult even if a mine is purchased due to environmental pollution issues.”

“Buy first. Even if you just hold it, the price will go up. “You can purchase it with the thought of putting savings in the bank.”

No matter how sensitive Australia is to environmental pollution.

In the end, everything was determined by the political world, and sufficient development was possible as long as we consulted well with the Australian political world.

“We will discuss with Taewoo General Trading CEO Wang Hee-soo and establish a plan.”

“And please start purchasing lithium mines. In particular, please secure the lithium mine located in Chile.”

“Lithium produced in Chile is not very efficient. In Australia, lithium is mined in mineral form, but in Chile, lithium is extracted from brine.”

“As the technology improves, it won’t make much of a difference. Rather, the mining method is simple, so a larger amount of lithium can be mined.”

Even after a few years, lithium will be called by a different name.

White petroleum lithium.

The word petroleum was always attached to expensive raw materials.

Blue oil, sea oil, etc.

However, although most of these industries were only superficial, lithium mining was a raw material so valuable that it could truly be called white oil.

“We will also make plans to purchase a lithium mine in Chile.”

“There is talk of an FTA being signed with Chile next year, so that will be helpful.”

It was also a project that could see the negative effects of concluding an FTA.

From the government’s perspective, there was a very high possibility that they would push us because they could use it as a justification for concluding an FTA with South America.

“There is talk of concluding an FTA with South America, including Chile, next year, but there is considerable opposition. “In particular, there is strong opposition from farmer groups, and it has already been canceled at the plenary session of the National Assembly.”

“It has to be concluded eventually. “During the foreign exchange crisis, it was impossible to open the economy, but now our country is in a position to gain more benefits through economic opening.”

“Then, we will draw up a plan to purchase mines, focusing on Chile.”

“Plan as far as Chile, Bolivia, and Argentina.”

Lithium Triangle.

Because the three countries mentioned above had large reserves of lithium, they would be called this 15 years later.

We were able to take the lead because not much information had spread yet.

“ah! “I also hope to diversify the raw materials and core materials needed for semiconductor production.”

“When you say core materials, are you referring to materials such as etching gas or hydrogen fluoride?”

“that’s right. We need to create a system where we can develop and independently supply materials that Japan monopolizes over 90% of the market for. “If Korea-Japan relations deteriorate, there is a high possibility that Japan will impose sanctions on such key materials.”

“I will discuss that matter with Taewoo Chemical.”

Taewoo Chemical had been transferred to a joint oil refining company created with Aramco.

However, since we owned 50% of the shares, we were still able to exert influence.

There was little possibility of Aramco making a fuss over the development of core materials.

“There is no need to set up mass production facilities right now. “You just have to focus on developing your skills.”

“Other materials are possible, but in the case of hydrogen fluoride, it is expected that a lot of research money will be consumed because the purity must be raised to over 99.999%. “99.99% of the products can be made with our current technology, but for anything beyond that, there is a severe shortage of manpower and equipment.”

“I’m not asking you to produce it right away, so please proceed with development slowly.”

We had to diversify our raw materials and core materials.

That way, you can manage the company from Party A’s perspective rather than Party B’s perspective.

I spent the last month of 2003 with many thoughts and actions like this.

***

Even though the new year of 2004 dawned, my life did not change.

I rested with my grandfather for just one day on January 1st and went to work on January 2nd.

“Director of Planning, the atmosphere at the office is chaotic today.”

“I think it’s because today is Friday. “It seems a bit chaotic since everyone has New Year’s events scheduled.”

“Then I only work in the morning today.”

Before the regression, many companies introduced Sandwich Day.

Nowadays, it was considered sensible to take a vacation on Monday or Friday, let alone Sandwich Day.

“The staff will be very happy.”

“And on days like today where there is a weekday between public holidays, we call it a sandwich day. “I think this is a necessary welfare to boost employee morale.”

“We are planning to introduce Sandwich Day starting this year.”

I feel sad today too, but what do regular office workers think?

Just because you come to the company a lot and stay there for a long time doesn’t mean your efficiency will increase.

When you rest, you need to rest to increase concentration and loyalty to your company.

“ah! And is Representative Choi Jae-seok doing well?”

“It is said that a total of about 40 people from the list we prepared have been recruited. Representative Choi Jae-seok is actively meeting people and presenting a vision, and the number of people joining the vision is increasing.”

“As expected, things in the political world can be resolved only when politicians take action.”

“I’m saying this since you’re talking about politics, but the atmosphere in Yeouido is unusual.”

Was there ever a quiet day in Yeouido?

But this time, Yeouido was noisier than usual.

“It looks like there is an uproar in the ruling party.”

“That’s right. Since the ruling party was split into two, sharp criticism has continued. “The existing ruling party is using vulgar language to say that the president was scammed, and is even openly talking about impeachment.”

Impeachment of the President.

Something unprecedented was about to happen.

Of course, he would not actually be impeached, but even going through an impeachment trial was the first time in Korean political history.

“We’re frustrated because we can’t eat each other. It worked out better. “The ruling party is fighting among itself, and the opposition party is noisy due to the aftermath of illegal election funds, so it is a great time for Representative Choi Jae-seok to make his presence known.”

“People’s hatred of politics is getting worse. “If we manage Rep. Choi Jae-seok well, I think he can become a replacement for the two major parties.”

“We have to make it that way. In preparation for this year’s general election, make pledges at the planning office level for all politicians recruited from now on. “It won’t take too long since a company specializing in election campaigns in the U.S. has also agreed to help.”

The country of the election campaign was the United States.

David was on friendly terms with the election campaign expert.

From advanced election methods to image making.

With the help of an expert, the chances of winning would increase by even 1%.

“At the Taewoo Group level, we will first organize projects that will be helpful to each constituency and make a pledge.”

“Tell Representative Choi Jae-seok, as well as all affiliated politicians, to completely ignore what happened in Yeouido. “We must create the image of a political party that focuses solely on economic development.”

It was a time when moderate votes increased due to hatred of politics.

I had to prepare step by step in order to receive all the middle school tickets that were wandering around after losing their homes.