The Magician’s Memorial - Chapter 366



Only Krnovel

366. Poison apple (1)

Satellites were an essential resource for Taewo Group.

In the past, satellites were widely used for security and weather observation purposes.

Nowadays, with the development of high-end electronic devices such as smartphones, they are widely used in daily life.

And autonomous driving, the future of electric vehicles.

If we could secure a low-orbit communication network, we could operate an autonomous driving system in all regions of the world.

To do this, support from the U.S. government was essential.

If President Obama’s permission was given, satellites could be shared with SpaceX, which is supported by NASA.

“There is one thing I would like to ask of you.”

“I think this is the first time Chairman Kim has asked me for a favor. If it’s not difficult, I’ll do my best to oblige.”

“As you may know, I am also very interested in the space industry.”

“I know very well that Chairman Kim is the biggest supporter of private rocket companies.”

“Experience is the most important thing for a private rocket company to secure superior technology. That’s why I want to cover half of SpaceX’s rocket launch costs and satellite costs.”

President Obama was troubled for a moment.

However, just a few minutes ago, he said that he trusted me and that he would discuss security issues with me.

However, it cannot be said that sharing of satellites is not permitted due to security concerns in the United States.

“Although it is a sensitive issue, there is nothing that could not allow permission as long as it is used only by the Taewo Group. It is possible because I trust the Taewo Group and Chairman Kim that much.”

“Thank you. I can promise you that I will never do anything that is harmful to the security of the United States.”

“I will speak to NASA and related ministries. But the THAAD site issue must be resolved first.”

In the end, it was President Obama who brought out THAAD again.

The THAAD negotiations were a matter for the governments of Korea and the United States to handle.

Regarding the site issue, the help of a large company that had secured a large site was essential.

“There is one way to resolve the THAAD site issue early.”

“Please speak comfortably.”

“If we proceed in the form of exchanging land owned by U.S. forces in Korea rather than providing additional money, there are many companies that would be interested.”

In Seoul and the metropolitan area, the land of gold ssrap has dried up.

However, among the lands owned by the U.S. Forces in Korea, a lot of gold ssaragi land remained.

“You’re saying we should exchange it for land in the metropolitan area.”

“If we offer to exchange a site in Namyangju, Gyeonggi-do, there are quite a few companies that will step forward. In particular, if we offer a site in Yongsan, Seoul, it is clear that everyone will step forward.”

There were many US military sites in Korea in the metropolitan area.

Of course, the most valuable land was the Yongsan site in Seoul.

Even though it would be difficult to give the entire site, exchanging part of the site was a condition that the U.S. could fully accept.

“It’s not something I can decide alone. I’ll have a meeting with the relevant departments to decide. But what’s certain is that it will at least be possible to exchange it for the US military base in Gyeonggi-do.”

“Then, as soon as I return to Korea, I will contact companies that have good land.”

“It would be great if you could do that. And I really wanted to say thank you for your efforts in shale gas development.”

It was President Obama who expressed his sincere gratitude.

From his gratitude, I was able to predict what the United States would do in the future.

Wouldn’t you be grateful to me for being able to reestablish relationships with oil-producing countries?

“If the shale gas revolution takes root properly, the United States will be able to firmly dominate the oil industry in the future.”

“It’s just a matter of time. There’s still a long way to go. Still, the economy is better than before, so we have the strength to fight. The Chairman of the Federal Reserve is also working hard to create a little more strength to fight.”

It seemed like he was talking about reducing quantitative easing.

Even if quantitative easing cannot be stopped right now, the will to ultimately reduce quantitative easing was felt.

“If there is anything I can help you with, just let me know. If I can provide even a small amount of help, I will gladly do my best.”

“It’s still helpful enough. I have plans to visit Korea this year, so let’s see you there next time.”

My private relationship with President Obama has come to an end.

It was a conversation where I gained a lot and had a lot to worry about, but what was clear was that it was an opportunity to reaffirm President Obama’s trust in me and Taewo Group.

* * *

After completing my schedule in the US, I returned to Korea.

As soon as I returned, I called in the planning director and President Han and held a meeting.

“The White House asked us a slightly difficult request. They entrusted us with the site for THAAD deployment.”

“When you say THAAD, are you referring to the missile defense system?”

“It will come within range of not only North Korea but also China. So it is certain that there will be a big backlash from China.”

“Then the company that provided the land may end up in trouble with China.”

“The United States says they will mediate as much as possible, but we don’t know what the outcome will be.”

We talked about THAAD for a while.

When we discussed what benefits would be received by providing the THAAD site, the responses of the planning director and President Han changed.

“The site in Namyangju is attractive, but if we can also have the site in Yongsan, there is a definite advantage.”

“I have the same thoughts as President Han. The Yongsan site is so valuable that I would also be greedy.”

The mouths of the Planning Director and President Han were watering.

Even these people react this way, so what do the CEOs of large corporations think?

Of course, it was clear that his eyes would turn and he would rush at him.

“We need to urgently convene a meeting of the Federation of Korean Industries.”

“I will contact the Federation of Korean Industries. But wouldn’t it be more effective to convey this communication through the Honorary Chairman?”

If I mobilized my grandfather, convening a meeting of the Federation of Korean Industries was no problem.

With just one word from my grandfather, he could bring together the CEOs of most large companies within a day.

Of course, it was possible for me, but it wasn’t a good idea for me, who was the age of my grandson, to invite the presidents.

“You can ask Grandpa for a favor, but you can’t bother him with something like this.”

“Then, do you plan to contact the Federation of Korean Industries?”

“If I step forward, won’t I be called cheap? So I plan to move through the U.S. ambassador.”

“That’s a good idea! The current American ambassador is Korean-American, so they say we can communicate better.”

Ambassador Kang Jun-yong was appointed as the first Korean-American ambassador to the United States.

The American name is Jun Kang.

Although he was born in Seoul, he was a person with an unusual history of becoming a naturalized American.

He had been active as a diplomat even before the Bush administration, and was promoted to ambassador during the Obama administration.

“If the U.S. ambassador takes action directly, wouldn’t the Federation of Korean Industries be more interested?”

“Confidence will increase significantly. I will contact the U.S. Embassy right now.”

Were you waiting for us to contact you?

It was Ambassador Kang Jun-yong who requested a meeting with me as soon as I contacted him.

“We made plans to have dinner together tonight. It’s a Korean-style restaurant that the Chairman often goes to.”

“Good. There’s no need to waste time on this. Let’s get moving starting today.”

After doing a little more work, I went to the restaurant.

Ambassador Kang Jun-yong had already arrived at the restaurant annex and was waiting for me.

“It’s nice to meet you, Chairman Kim Min-jae. I’ve only seen you a few times from a distance, but it’s a new feeling to see you in person, whom I respect so much.”

“I really admired Ambassador Kang. He came from a far away, foreign land to his current position based solely on his abilities. I have been watching him with interest since the Bush administration.”

We took a moment to praise each other as an icebreaker.

He literally threw a big party and praised Ambassador Kang Jun-yong.

“Thank you for your interest. Thanks to your support, I was able to survive the difficult life in a foreign country.”

“Have I helped you?”

“Hehehe, there’s no need to pretend you don’t know. I received word from David that the Chairman is giving donations.”

I can’t believe you were really supporting me.

Of course, through David, I supported most people in American politics.

However, I did not know that David was also supporting the diplomatic side.

How can you remember everything?

It is rare to find a person in the United States who has not received my support while pursuing political life.

“I’m glad I found this helpful. By the way, haven’t you heard from the White House?”

“I already received a call last night. It was a call to help Chairman Kim secure a site.”

This was possible because the Obama administration was maintained.

If the regime had changed, communication might not have been smooth.

“I have received a favor from the White House. To fulfill the request, we must convene a meeting of the Federation of Korean Industries. Could you help us?”

“If you need to sell my name, you can sell it as much as you like. If necessary, I will send an official letter from the embassy to the Federation of Korean Industries.”

“If you send us an official document, we can convene an emergency meeting of the Federation of Korean Industries within this week.”

“Then, I will make an official document and send it to you tomorrow.”

I had a meal with Ambassador Kang Jun-yong and had many conversations.

He already knew the details related to THAAD.

Thanks to this, we were able to immediately convene a meeting of the Federation of Korean Industries without wasting time.

* * *

Four days later.

An emergency meeting of the Federation of Korean Industries was convened.

More than 20 chairman or vice presidents of large companies were seated in the conference room.

I shook their hands eagerly and found a seat to sit down.

If I were to just look at the rankings of the business world, I would have to sit at the head of the table.

Since the seats were arranged based on a sort of casual(?) ranking and a business rank, rather than a business ranking, I sat in a seat near the middle.

Once everyone was seated, Ambassador Kang Jun-yong arrived at the conference hall.

He briefly explained the purpose of today’s emergency meeting and then got straight to the point.

“We need to secure land for THAAD deployment.”

“······.”

The chairman of every large company immediately sensed a huge risk.

The moment the site was provided, I turned my head to the thought that business with China would be over.

However, the following words from Ambassador Kang Jun-yong created the magic of restoring the head to its original state.

“We would like to exchange it for the US military base site in Namyangju. And we will give you priority bidding for the Yongsan US military base site.”

The site of a US military base in Gyeonggi-do.

In addition, priority bidding rights for the remaining land in Yongsan, Seoul.

It was a sufficient condition to ignite the hearts of CEOs of large corporations.

Plus, there were still additional benefits left.

“And I understand that you are concerned about doing business with China. If China takes retaliatory action, the White House will do our best to defend you. And we will benefit your American business.”

Seoul’s gold ssaragi land and full support from the United States.

These were conditions that could not be refused, but no CEO of a large company has yet taken the initiative.

In that case, I have no choice but to step in and make them move.