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Chapter 26 – Who exactly is Lee Seon-su?
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Lee Seon-su met with Petrov, the Russian ambassador to Korea, after visits from Lee Han-se, the Minister of Foreign Affairs; Kim Seong-woong, the Director of the NIS; and Kang Baek, the Minister of National Defense.
The purpose was to purchase an aircraft cruiser from Ukraine.
Ambassador Petrov promised to write a recommendation letter to the Ukrainian government and assist in reaching out.
Petrov also had a close relationship with Leonid Kravchuk, the current president of Ukraine.
Dream Company would handle the bid for the aircraft cruiser.
There were a few reasons for this.
Dream Company had $60 million in funds, and if B.B. Industry were to bid, it might appear as if the cruiser was being acquired for use as a weapon rather than for scrapping.
Moreover, there was uncertainty about the outcome, and it would not be ideal for B.B. Industry to hold the aircraft cruiser.
They might not even be able to sell it to another country.
As a result, Lee Jeong-seok became busy.
Regardless of what decision the Korean government made, securing the aircraft cruiser was deemed better.
On the fifth day of waiting for the Korean government’s decision, Kim Seong-woong, the NIS Director, arrived.
***
“CEO Lee, I’m sorry to have kept you waiting so long.”
Kim Seong-woong’s expression gave it away.
“It seems like you have good news.”
“Yes, that’s correct. The government will make an official announcement in 15 days.”
Fifteen days?
Even the negotiation plan was finalized.
The government had decided to approve it.
It seemed to be taking longer than expected.
“It’s a bit late. I thought they’d make the official announcement within 10 days at most.”
“There’s something else to be announced first.”
“Is it something important?”
Kim Seong-woong displayed a bitter expression.
“There will be changes to the Blue House secretaries and the dismissal of several ministers.”
I had a feeling.
“They’re removing individuals influenced by the Samdo Group, aren’t they?”
“That’s right. His Excellency, the President, has made a difficult decision.”
The administration was less than a year old.
The secretaries and ministers were likely chosen after much deliberation.
Yet, they were being dismissed.
This seemed like a small ember that had grown into a larger fire.
It had started as a measure to block the interference of the Samdo Group.
Perhaps the Samdo Group fanned the flames and made it worse.
Well, political matters weren’t my concern.
“Minister Lee Han-se will meet with Ambassador Petrov and inform him of the official announcement in 15 days, as well as begin detailed adjustments.”
That was necessary.
Frankly, with the negotiations for debt repayment concluded, this matter was out of my hands.
Only the negotiations for transferring satellite technology remained.
However, that was a business matter between the government and B.B. Industry.
“But… about the purchase of the aircraft cruiser from Ukraine…”
“Is that what you’re curious about?”
“Haha, partly.”
“It’s in progress. A formal letter of intent has been sent to the Ukrainian government. It seems the negotiations with Ukraine will start around the time the government officially announces the debt repayment agreement with Russia.”
“So soon?”
Kim Seong-woong had thought it would take several months, even at the earliest.
Yet, less than a week after discussing it with me, some progress had been made.
“Did you prepare in advance?”
I just smiled.
“As expected.”
Let him believe whatever he wanted.
“The payment is $50 million. Don’t forget that.”
“Of course. Just secure the aircraft cruiser. It’s being prepared with the defense budget.”
Things seemed to be going well.
“All right.”
We had discussed everything necessary.
However, it seemed like Kim Seong-woong hesitated, as if there was more he wanted to say.
“Is there something else?”
“No, that will be all. Please wait comfortably, CEO Lee.”
What was with that wistful gaze?
Kim Seong-woong left.
His last look lingered in my mind.
Ding-dong.
For a moment, I thought he had returned.
However, it was Deputy Director Kim Yeong-do.
“CEO Lee, I apologize, but may I have a moment of your time?”
The Deputy Director of the NIS was visiting right after the Director?
Something was definitely up.
“Of course. You’ve been very helpful.”
Deputy Director Kim stationed NIS agents around the area.
Literally stationed them. No one could approach freely.
Even hotel staff couldn’t access the room.
Room service was intercepted by NIS agents and delivered by them.
Kim Yeong-do personally directed all of this.
“Thank you.”
Kim Yeong-do entered.
We sat together on the sofa.
“Would you like something to drink?”
“I’m fine.”
“What brings you here?”
“Director Kim Seong-woong will likely remain with the agency until the end of this month.”
I didn’t understand right away.
“He’s stepping down as Director of the NIS.”
Now I understood.
But I couldn’t help tilting my head in confusion.
“Why?”
He seemed to have convinced the President and gained his trust.
Otherwise, the debt repayment negotiations with Russia wouldn’t have concluded so favorably.
“He’s becoming a scapegoat in the changes to secretaries and ministerial positions.”
“A scapegoat?”
“Yes. This includes Minister Lee Han-se, Minister of National Defense Kang Baek, and certain generals…”
Deputy Director Kim Yeong-do explained what had happened at the Blue House.
During the general promotion ceremony for generals, they had convinced President Lee Sam-yeong.
President Lee Sam-yeong accepted their suggestions and persuaded Prime Minister Han Woo-ri.
However, there was something unavoidable.
They had pressured President Lee Sam-yeong in a way that was almost akin to blackmail, bypassing the formal system.
“Prime Minister Han Woo-ri, upon learning the facts, was enraged, saying this was unacceptable. Using this as a pretext, there will be changes to the Blue House secretaries and ministerial positions.”
I didn’t understand.
“By the look on your face, it seems you don’t understand. But political balance must also be maintained.”
“What about Minister Lee Han-se and Minister Kang Baek?”
“Minister Lee Han-se is considered essential for concluding negotiations with Russia, and Minister Kang Baek is deemed necessary to properly handle the weapons being imported from Russia.”
So, those two would remain safe.
“So, Director Kim Seong-woong is taking responsibility for everything and stepping down.”
“That’s correct. That’s why I’ve come to meet with you, CEO Lee.”
Something occurred to me suddenly.
Surely not.
“Are you suggesting Director Kim Seong-woong joins my company?”
“Yes. I am asking this of you.”
“Would Director Kim Seong-woong come to my company? After all, he was the Director of the NIS.”
“Didn’t you hear him last time? He said that if he were dismissed, he’d like to join your company.”
Wasn’t that a joke?
I couldn’t ask that aloud.
Deputy Director Kim Yeong-do looked too serious.
“It will also be a great benefit to you, CEO Lee.”
“Why is that?”
“Director Kim Seong-woong recommended me as his successor. The President approved it.”
“So, the next Director is…”
“Yes, it’s me. Also, the President has issued another directive.”
“What is it?”
“To monitor the Samdo Group.”
Having the NIS monitor a private company could become problematic.
However, there was a reason for this.
The Samdo Group had meddled in national governance.
From a certain perspective, it was almost treasonous. But it couldn’t be treated as treason.
Instead, measures were being taken to ensure the Samdo Group would never interfere with national governance again.
Public officials who had interacted with the Samdo Group would not be appointed to key positions.
“At the same time, we will ensure that no illegal actions are taken against your company.”
“Is that also a directive from the President?”
“The Director didn’t explicitly say so. But the intent was clear.”
So, it was a directive.
But it couldn’t be openly stated that the President had issued such an order.
It would look like favouritism toward a specific company.
“You’ll need someone to coordinate with the NIS effectively.”
“That person is Director Kim Seong-woong, isn’t it? Are you certain he wants this?”
“Yes, he does. He just cannot say it out loud.”
That expression and look in his eyes earlier…
“I agree that having someone like Director Kim Seong-woong at B.B. Industry would be advantageous.”
“Thank you, CEO Lee.”
“It’s a bit early to thank me.”
“Why is that?”
“Would Director Kim Seong-woong, having been a high-ranking public official, endure the environment of a private company?”
“He will endure it.”
“There might be many instances where he has to bow to someone much younger than himself.”
Deputy Director Kim Yeong-do laughed.
“Isn’t he already bowing now? I recall something he said to me during a meal. It was about you, CEO Lee.”
What could he have said?
“He said that, despite your young appearance, there’s something about you that feels like you’ve lived a long life.”
That made me flinch.
If I combined the life I lived in my dreams, would I be in my seventies?
“He also said you are calculative but propose rational conditions.”
I had to act that way to prevent issues from arising later.
Even so, problems would still arise, but at least I’d have grounds to refute them accurately.
And if one got too greedy, it would backfire.
That was a certainty.
“He also mentioned that working with you would be interesting.”
“That doesn’t sound like working under someone, though.”
“Even as a subordinate, you wouldn’t treat him unreasonably, would you?”
That was true.
Even as subordinates, it was difficult to treat someone older disrespectfully.
“Can I share a somewhat amusing story?”
“What story?”
“When it was decided that Director Kim Seong-woong would take responsibility, Ministers Lee Han-se and Kang Baek went to the President separately.”
No way.
“They didn’t offer to take responsibility themselves, did they?”
Deputy Director Kim Yeong-do simply laughed.
So, it was true.
Those ministers had been prepared to resign and look for jobs elsewhere.
“I’ll take it as though you’ve given your approval, CEO Lee.”
“Wait a moment. Let me think about it.”
“What is there to think about? You’re gaining the friendship of the NIS. Wouldn’t this greatly benefit you as a businessman?”
It certainly would.
“I’ll decide after meeting with Director Kim Seong-woong directly.”
It didn’t seem right to decide without consulting the person involved.
“I’ll take it as a positive response.”
Before I could say anything, Deputy Director Kim Yeong-do stood up.
“I’ll leave it in your hands, CEO Lee.”
He bowed deeply and left.
“Sigh. This feels more exhausting than business itself.”
It felt even more so because it was something I hadn’t anticipated.
The NIS was going to check the Samdo Group.
“Well, at least I probably won’t face obstacles in doing business in Korea…”
First, I needed to meet with Director Kim Seong-woong.
***
Whoosh.
Thud. Smash.
“What is going on?”
Chairman Lee Hwan-geon received word from a Blue House secretary.
He was informed that he would soon be dismissed and that the debt repayment with Russia would proceed as agreed.
In response, he threw the inkstone on his desk at the wall.
To calm his mind, he often practiced calligraphy.
“Haha…”
Knowing that getting angry wouldn’t change anything, Chairman Lee Hwan-geon could only laugh bitterly.
“Chairman, it seems the Blue House has firmly set its course.”
It was Vice Chairman Lee Min-uk.
“I know. Do you have any idea how much money I spent…”
During the last presidential election, Chairman Lee Hwan-geon gave money to both the ruling and opposition parties.
That money helped place his preferred candidates as Blue House secretaries and ministers.
“How dare a passing guest act like they own the place.”
That was how Chairman Lee Hwan-geon evaluated the President’s position.
Holding power and authority lasted only during their term.
When the term ended, another guest would take that position.
“These beggars crying about having no money…”
Whenever they gained power, they always tried to subdue the chaebols.
Their goal was always money.
Whether it was used for the public or for their own gain, it was always about money.
Through higher taxes or backdoor deals.
Even so, the administration couldn’t openly oppose the chaebols.
“Chairman, please calm your anger. All you need to do is endure for five years.”
It would be five more years before the current administration changed.
“During that time, I’ll make sure the next administration won’t dare ignore the Samdo Group.”
“Sigh.”
At Vice Chairman Lee Min-uk’s words, Chairman Lee Hwan-geon calmed down.
“How did it come to this?”
Chairman Lee Hwan-geon couldn’t understand.
“What exactly is Lee Seon-su?”
To Chairman Lee Hwan-geon, Lee Seon-su was nothing more than an insignificant ant.
There was no comparison to the mighty Samdo Group.
Yet, the results told a different story.
The Samdo Group had used its influence to pressure the government and Lee Seon-su.
Now, they had lost their ability to exert influence over the government.
The damage was significant.
“Chairman.”
Vice Chairman Lee Min-uk’s voice brought Chairman Lee Hwan-geon back to a calmer state.
“Yes, I know. One must know when to retreat. Now is the time to step back. But I won’t retreat quietly.”
“What do you mean?”
“Find out everything about Lee Seon-su’s business and monitor him thoroughly.”
Vice Chairman Lee Min-uk understood Chairman Lee Hwan-geon’s intent.
“Understood.”
The plan was to uncover details about Lee Seon-su’s business and interfere with it.
However, they didn’t intend to foolishly use illegal methods.
Instead, they planned to use their vast capital to destroy his business.
Whether it would go as they wanted remained uncertain.
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