Chapter 22. That Old Geezer, XXX
Putin had instructed the sale of weapons.
Therefore, I wanted to make weapon sales that would be beneficial to both Korea and myself.
I didn’t want to sell weapons to Africa or conflict-ridden countries.
I didn’t want to risk being labelled a terrorist.
“Wait a moment. Are you saying that this is not a negotiation?”
“The negotiation is already over.”
I had already given them the weapons list.
We also agreed on providing the Minsk aircraft cruiser and 14 VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) fighter jets.
“The satellite technology will be delivered to Korea in the form of dispatching technical personnel through B.B. Industry.”
Why did Putin want to sell weapons?
It was, of course, about money.
Putin needed a significant amount of money.
First, they would repay the $1.47 billion debt using the Minsk aircraft cruiser, which was practically scrap metal since it couldn’t be operational, and the VTOL jets.
This would appear as a diplomatic achievement.
Second, it would show that Russia could profit from selling other weapons or technology.
Of course, Putin would also benefit from the rebates.
I hadn’t been in St. Petersburg for over a month just for sightseeing.
I had discussed the weapon sales with Putin in-depth, and Putin had used his network and resources to obtain approval from the central government.
“So, does this mean the Korean government pays Mr. Lee Seon-su’s company, and Mr. Lee pays Russia?”
The expression on his face was peculiar.
“It seems you don’t quite understand. Let me say it again. This is business. It is not a negotiation for reclaiming the loan.”
Minister Lee Han-se finally looked like he understood.
“Ah! I see. However, this is not something that can be decided here and now.”
“I understand. You’ll also need to secure the budget. But I hope you won’t keep us waiting too long.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m simply giving the Korean government priority.”
Minister Lee Han-se’s expression hardened.
“Does that mean you could offer it to other countries?”
“It’s business. If the decision is delayed, it will move to an open bidding process.”
“Don’t you think that’s excessive?”
Here it comes.
I don’t know why they think it belongs to them.
“This wasn’t my decision.”
Well, it was my decision.
“The Russian government doesn’t plan to wait for long.”
Minister Lee Han-se bit his lip before speaking.
“So, it’s the Russian government’s decision. And Mr. Lee Seon-su wanted to give Korea the priority.”
That’s not quite right.
“I understand. The loan repayment negotiation is practically complete, so we’ll consider Mr. Lee’s business proposal positively.”
Just to make sure no one thought he wasn’t a diplomat, he avoided giving a definitive answer.
Maybe that’s the right thing to do.
“Please do so.”
The Korean government delegation stood up.
It had been the shortest negotiation, taking less than an hour.
It couldn’t have been any other way.
The list I provided was better than what the Korean government had in mind.
The negotiation team returned.
“Ambassador Petrov, thank you for your assistance.”
Ambassador Petrov spoke in fluent Korean.
“Not at all. I’m glad to have been of help.”
Ambassador Petrov loved Korea. He even took private lessons to learn Korean.
“Korea is a great country. I hope it becomes strong so that no further hardships occur. That is why I chose to help.”
In reality, Ambassador Petrov represented Russia.
He could have felt displeased that I led the negotiation instead of him.
Had he obstructed it, the negotiation might not have started so easily.
And it wouldn’t have ended so smoothly.
“I look forward to your continued support.”
“I would like to do so. However, I believe I’ll soon return to my home country.”
He seemed genuinely regretful.
“This negotiation will be my last mission.”
“Do you not wish to return to Russia?”
“To be honest, no.”
Ambassador Petrov wanted to ask Lee Seon-su to help him remain as the Russian Ambassador to Korea.
He believed Lee Seon-su had enough power to influence the central government.
“Can you be of any help to me?”
“Help?”
“When I return to Russia, I will have no choice but to live as an ordinary citizen. I will no longer be able to participate in politics or bureaucracy.”
Currently, Russia was in a complex situation.
Ambassador Petrov had been a bureaucrat since the Soviet era. Naturally, he had many friends.
Most of them had been purged or gradually pushed out of the political sphere.
Now, it was Ambassador Petrov’s turn.
“I’m sorry. I can’t get involved in political matters.”
Ambassador Petrov nodded.
He understood that helping him could put Lee Seon-su in a difficult position with the central government.
“However, I can assist you in business matters.”
“Business matters?”
“After you return to Russia and become a civilian, come back to Korea. I will create a position for you in my company.”
Ambassador Petrov’s eyes widened.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes. You’ve helped me greatly, so it’s the least I can do. And if the Korean government approves my proposal, we will need someone to manage the scientists we bring from Russia.”
In truth, we were short of personnel.
For now, I could handle things on my own since nothing major had started.
But once things kicked off, we’d need more people.
Having Ambassador Petrov oversee the scientists would be beneficial.
“And having someone like Ambassador Petrov for the second project would be great.”
“Second project?”
“If you work with me, I’ll let you know when the time comes.”
“Ah! That’s understandable for now.”
Well, it didn’t really matter if I revealed it.
The second project was also with the Korean government.
To maintain and use the confirmed weapons from this negotiation, technicians and munitions were necessary.
The weapons to be mounted on the Minsk aircraft cruiser and the VTOL jets were not included in the negotiation plan.
Someday, Korea will sell weapons to countries around the world.
But in 1993, Korea did not yet have the technology for that.
“I’ll visit often until the negotiations are over, Ambassador.”
“You are always welcome. On the other hand, may I visit you as well?”
“I’d welcome that too, Ambassador.”
Ambassador Petrov extended his hand.
After shaking it, I left the embassy.
***
The decision by the Korean government seemed to be taking longer than expected.
A week had already passed.
Still, there was nothing to do but wait.
Should I make a trip to Singapore?
I was even thinking of that.
The gas delivery from Gazprom was proceeding normally, and the payment was being made, securing profits.
A total of 60 million CBM of gas.
The profit was as much as 80 million dollars.
This was after giving Putin his share and calculating the remaining profit.
At an exchange rate of 800 won, that’s 64 billion won.
Now, the exchange rate had risen slightly to about 810 won.
Even a 10 won increase meant an additional profit of 8 billion won.
After spending some money on Samdo Group issues, about 63 billion won was left.
And as winter approached, gas prices were rising further.
The German Ruhrgas, which bought gas at 19 and 20 dollars, must be smiling brightly.
I even received a thank-you fax.
They also mentioned they hoped to continue trading.
They said I could set a date for an invitation to Germany.
Anyway, Senior Lee Jeong-seok was handling the work diligently.
“Should I just go?”
Just as I was considering a trip to Singapore, the outside grew noisy.
One of the drawbacks of an old villa was that outside noises were too easily heard.
Of course, inside sounds could be heard outside just as easily.
I looked outside through the living room window.
Guards were blocking a car and people trying to enter the villa.
There were quite a few of them.
The opponents also seemed to be guards.
“Huh?”
After a brief argument, they began to exchange punches.
The opponents were greater in number.
However, the skills of Super Guard’s CEO, Im Kang-min, and the guards were superior.
Especially CEO Im Kang-min was exceptional.
He took down two people in an instant.
I picked up the phone.
“Police? This is…”
The opponents had too many people.
At this rate, even if Super Guard won, they would sustain injuries.
As expected, the situation shifted when the opponents drew extendable batons.
CEO Im Kang-min and our guards also drew their batons.
The results of a fight with fists differed greatly from one with specially made batons.
Someone could break a bone.
There could be significant bloodshed too.
Who on earth brought so many guards here?
A little later, police sirens were heard.
However, only two police cars arrived.
Even with four officers per car, that would be eight officers.
But there were only two officers per car.
Still, the appearance of the police caused the fight to stop.
The police officers surveyed the situation and hesitated.
Frustrating.
I stepped out of the villa.
“I’m the one who reported it.”
They wouldn’t act recklessly with the police present, right?
CEO Im Kang-min approached me.
“Boss, it’s dangerous. Please go inside.”
“Nothing will happen with the police here, right?”
“It could. When we asked why they came, they suddenly attacked.”
Moments like these made me wish for mobile phones.
There were mobile phones in 1993, but they were the size of military radios and barely worked.
Car phones were used in vehicles like sedans, though.
Anyway, I should have filmed it.
But this was before the age of car black boxes.
“Huh?”
The police weren’t even listening to us and were speaking with the other side, then received a radio message and acted as if they were about to leave.
CEO Im Kang-min saw that too.
“Boss, please go inside.”
Whoever it was, they had the power to sway the police as well.
“If that’s how it is, I have no choice. CEO Im, hold on a moment.”
I ran back inside the villa.
And made a call.
“Deputy Director, someone has attacked me.”
Then I hung up.
The phone rang immediately, but I didn’t answer.
I wanted them to misunderstand and think something had happened.
The ringing continued for a while before stopping.
I looked outside the villa.
The fight had not resumed yet.
The police, who seemed to be leaving, came back.
And they started talking to the people on the other side again.
More police cars arrived.
As I wondered how things would unfold, the phone rang again.
This time, I felt I had to answer.
When I picked up, I heard Deputy Director Kim Yeong-do’s voice.
[Are you all right, sir?]
“I’m fine for now.”
[That’s a relief. We’ve requested immediate cooperation from the police. One of our agents is on the way. I’ll head there soon myself.]
There was a reason Deputy Director Kim Yeong-do of the NIS could act so swiftly.
He had already requested cooperation from the local police station in anticipation that Lee Seon-su might be uncomfortable with having agents around him.
So, if the NIS contacted them, the police could be deployed right away.
[And the person outside your house is said to be Chairman Lee Hwan-geon of Samdo Group.]
“Who?”
It was unbelievable.
For Chairman Lee Hwan-geon of Samdo Group to show up in such a manner.
[It’s Chairman Lee Hwan-geon. The Chief of Police hinted it was a tricky situation, so I pressured them by threatening to strip them of their position.]
It made sense why the police had seemed hesitant to act.
And why so many security personnel had come.
[Please stay inside until I arrive. Even if it’s Chairman Lee Hwan-geon of Samdo Group, this has crossed the line.]
It certainly had.
But I had no intention of staying inside.
It wasn’t just anyone; it was Chairman Lee Hwan-geon of Samdo Group.
A person I’d have to face at some point.
“Just make sure the police don’t leave.”
[Are you planning to go out?]
“Yes.”
[I didn’t want to say this, but… Chairman Lee Hwan-geon has been pulling strings in the political sphere. That’s why the negotiation decision has been delayed.]
No wonder I hadn’t heard anything.
If Chairman Lee Hwan-geon was determined, it made sense that the decision on the already settled negotiation could be delayed.
“That’s all the more reason I need to meet him. I need to find out what Chairman Lee Hwan-geon is thinking.”
[I know I can’t stop you from going out. But be prepared for anything. I’ll be there in 30 minutes.]
The call ended.
I went back outside.
Then I shouted.
“Chairman Lee Hwan-geon! Come out! What is this, if not a conversation?”
A moment later, someone stepped out of the black sedan.
It was Chairman Lee Hwan-geon.
Chairman Lee, surrounded by his security, approached.
I signalled to Im Kang-min not to stop him.
Chairman Lee Hwan-geon, now closer, spoke.
“I came to see you, but your guards blocked me.”
“You should have identified yourself.”
“Was that necessary?”
“It is when outsiders come in.”
Chairman Lee Hwan-geon smirked.
“What if I’m not an outsider?”
“You are an outsider, Chairman.”
“I bought the house next door. It’s under my name.”
This old fox…
I wanted to swear out loud.
It was clear he had bought the neighbouring house as a ploy.
And deliberately caused the clash between the security teams.
This way, it could seem as if Super Guard had overreacted.
“Shouldn’t neighbours greet each other? Aren’t you going to offer me tea?”
It felt like he was taking control of the situation.
I couldn’t let that happen.
“No, that won’t be possible.”
“So harsh.”
“I have no intention of being neighbours or living in the same neighbourhood with you from now on. Mr. Im!”
“Yes, sir.”
“Buy the Villa.”
Fight fire with fire.
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