Third-Generation Chaebol

"Is this really a cellphone? I'd believe you even if you said it's a computer!"

Team Leader Han exclaimed in astonishment.

Even after arriving at Apple headquarters, he hadn't relaxed his expression.

But the moment Steve pulled out the iPhone, Han couldn't close his mouth.

He kept uttering words of amazement, while I continued my conversation with Steve.

"It's much smoother than the last time I saw it. From touch responsiveness to screen transitions, everything is satisfying."

"It's a relief to hear that. But in my eyes, there are still a lot of shortcomings. I think it can be improved a bit more, but it's not easy."

Steve's perfectionist nature remained unchanged.

At this rate, it seemed the iPhone's launch might be delayed by several years.

"I think it's time to make a decision. We would have had more time if the IT bubble hadn't burst, but this is the situation now."

"Hmm, I can't deny some responsibility for Apple's stock halving. If the price drops further, I might get kicked out again…"

"We have to launch it within this year."

Just because phone development was completed didn't mean they could start sales immediately.

They had to sign component production contracts, establish assembly plants, and more.

At least 3 to 6 months of preparation was necessary, so the decision had to be made now to hit a release within the year.

"Hmm, there are still many shortcomings. But it's not unworthy of launching either. Alright. I'll set the iPhone launch plan. I guess I have no choice if I want to stay in the CEO's seat."

"That's a wise decision. We will provide full support from all sides."

Steve had PTSD from the possibility of being ousted.

He didn't know that I held over 50% of Apple's shares, which made him anxious.

Well, thanks to that anxiety, the iPhone launch was expedited, so it's not bad for me at all.

After finishing my meeting with Steve, I returned to Korea.

But at the airport, a very unexpected person was waiting for me.

"Boss! I have something to discuss briefly. Let's go by car."

"David! Were you in Korea?"

I traveled by car with David.

A bulletproof car driven personally by Captain Kang was waiting.

The vehicle wasn't just bulletproof but also equipped with an eavesdropping prevention system, so it was rarely used unless absolutely necessary.

"What is it that you have to say that required such preparation?"

"The seed we planted is about to bloom in Russia."

"The bloody flower is finally about to bloom, huh."

Vladimir Putin.

He was finally trying to become the president of Russia.

We had been supporting him continuously since he was an independent politician.

"We received a contact from Russia. They asked me to attend the presidential inauguration."

"Of course you have to go."

"Will you go as the CEO of SAVE Investment Company? Or as the head of Taewoo Group?"

"On the surface, I should go as the CEO of Taewoo Group. That side seems to have more to gain."

"Then I'll go to Russia first to secure our position and wait."

David headed back to the airport and flew to Russia immediately.

I transferred cars and headed to Taewoo Group headquarters to meet my grandfather.

"Kim Min-jae, have you come? You're not spreading honey in America or something, so why do you keep going back and forth so often?"

"I went to see Apple's new product. Since it's a company collaborating with Taewoo Electronics, I wanted to see it for myself."

"And are you satisfied with the results?"

"I'm very satisfied. …Grandfather, I have something else I want to tell you quietly."

I wore a serious expression.

My grandfather didn't ask any more questions and moved to a small room inside the chairman's office.

It was a shelter built to prepare for fires, but it was also a place created for security purposes.

The shelter was surrounded on all sides by thick concrete walls, making it safe from wiretapping.

"What's got your face so serious?"

"It seems a new president will be appointed in Russia soon."

"A new era arrives, so it's natural a new president will be born. I thought something big had happened, but you're just making a fuss."

My grandfather chuckled heartily.

From Taewoo Group's perspective, Russia wasn't a major client country, so that was his reaction.

But what would his reaction be if I explained further?

"The new Russian president officially invited me. They asked me to attend the presidential inauguration."

"The president of Russia, huh? …Are you close with that person?"

"I've been consistently supporting him personally."

"Are you saying you funded his campaign? How did you know he would become president?"

"I came to know about him by chance, and I thought he would surely become a great man, so I supported him with a considerable amount."

"Ha ha, you're quite something. But I'm a bit worried. Politicians are always different when they go into the bathroom and when they come out."

Few people running businesses in Korea genuinely like politicians.

Especially businessmen who lived through the military regime era feared politicians deeply.

So both my grandfather and Chairman Jang of Hyundai Corporation even took an interest in politics directly.

"So I plan to go there myself and see how things will unfold."

"Hmm, what will you gain by going to Russia? If Korea went bankrupt, hasn't Russia already gone bankrupt?"

It wasn't only Korea that struggled during the foreign exchange crisis.

Russia had to endure even tougher times than Korea.

While we received IMF support, Russia failed in negotiations and was shunned by the IMF.

As a result, the country had to endure such hardship that it declared national bankruptcy.

"When times are tough, isn't it better to reach out and gain even more?"

"I'll give you full authority. Handle it as you see fit. Even if you come back empty-handed, I won't hold you responsible. Just make sure you come back safely."

"I'm visiting as a businessman. Surely nothing serious will happen, right?"

"You never know. Hmm, but attending the inauguration of a president of a nation as a department head seems a bit insufficient."

My grandfather wore a mischievous expression.

Then he dropped an unexpected bombshell.

"It's time for you to graduate from the Planning Office. I'll create a new title for you as Vice Chairman of Taewoo Group."

"That's too early. If I become vice chairman in my twenties, strange rumors will start circulating."

"At least, no one within Taewoo Group will oppose it."

"Still…"

"You won't be the sole vice chairman. You'll share the position with Vice Chairman Bae Sung-kyun, so don't worry too much."

One day, I had to become vice chairman.

But age was always a problem, and I had planned to pursue the position only after reaching my thirties.

Yet, to think my grandfather would make such a bold offer first.

"I'm not the one to decide. If the majority at the executive meeting agrees, I'll accept it."

"A majority? That's too easy. The number of presidents you control probably already approaches a majority."

My grandfather knew I had a faction among the presidents.

I didn't try to hide it, and I had already revealed it multiple times, so it was naturally known.

"I intend to remain completely neutral. I want this matter to be entrusted solely to the decision of the executive meeting. And I will only accept the vice chairman position if at least 80% agree, not just 50%."

"Isn't 80% a bit too much?"

"That's how much it needs to be for me to have a voice once I become vice chairman. I don't want to be a half-hearted vice chairman."

"Hmm, understood. Time is tight, so I'll convene the executive meeting tomorrow."

I truly planned to stay completely out of the executive meeting this time.

Whether I become vice chairman now or in a few years won't make a difference.

So I also planned not to attend the executive meeting tomorrow.

***

The suddenly convened executive meeting.

The presidents of each affiliate company took their seats without knowing the reason.

Chairman Kim Tae-jung had not yet arrived at the meeting room, so they spent time chatting quietly.

"Do you know why we were called here today?"

"How would I know? Maybe one of the affiliates got into some trouble?"

After about ten minutes of small talk, Chairman Kim Tae-jung still hadn't entered the meeting room.

Then, the chief secretary stepped forward and began conducting the executive meeting.

"Today's meeting will be held without the chairman and Director Kim Min-jae present. Everything discussed today will be confidential. We promise no one will be held responsible."

Everyone stopped talking and looked at the chief secretary.

They didn't understand the situation and waited for him to continue speaking.

"The agenda today is the appointment of a vice chairman. We will vote on the proposal to appoint Director Kim Min-jae as the group's vice chairman."

"Is this the chairman's wish?"

"This agenda is independent of the chairman's intention. The chairman's wish is for this decision to be made entirely by the executive meeting."

Silence filled the room.

No one spoke, but eyes darted rapidly around.

Especially, the presidents belonging to Kim Min-jae's faction simultaneously looked at President Woo Sung-il.

Woo Sung-il shrugged with a helpless expression.

He hadn't received any instructions from Director Kim Min-jae and didn't know how to act.

Other factions also quickly shifted their gazes.

The faction loyal to Vice Chairman Bae Sung-kyun, the faction under Taewoo Construction's President Jang Soo-young, and others.

They engaged in an intense game of wits, but the executive meeting had been called so suddenly that they couldn't properly exchange opinions.

"We will now proceed with the vote. This will be a secret ballot. Please enter one by one into the polling stations prepared inside the meeting room."

More than five polling stations had been set up inside the meeting room.

When the planning office staff brought in the ballot boxes, the voting began immediately.

Still unable to exchange opinions, the affiliate presidents had to enter the polling booths one by one.

"Please maintain silence during the voting. Once you have voted, wait in the designated separate area."

The voting continued for a remarkably long time.

An O or an X. It only took a second to make the mark.

But since most people hadn't made up their minds, they endured a time of anguish inside the polling booths.

Only after two full hours did the voting end.

The presidents waiting in the waiting room were called back to the meeting room.

But Chairman Kim Tae-jung was already there, waiting for them.

"Now, now, don't rush. Come in slowly and take your seats."

"We're very sorry for making you wait, Chairman."

"I just got here myself. Now, now, I told you to come slowly."

They seated themselves like late students entering a classroom.

Within less than a minute, everyone was seated, and the chief secretary stepped forward carrying the ballot box.

"We will now begin counting the votes."

"Before the counting starts, I have something to say. I don't mind the outcome at all. I just wanted to hear your opinions. Honestly, I would like to appoint Director Kim Min-jae as vice chairman, but I can't if you oppose it, can I?"

"The vote counting will now begin."

Though voting took two hours, the counting lasted less than twenty minutes.

The chief secretary confirmed several times before announcing the results.

"35 votes in favor. 3 votes against. The agenda has passed with over 90% approval."

"Heh heh, only three no votes? There's nothing more to see. Call Director Kim Min-jae in."

Chairman Kim Tae-jung smiled broadly, his mouth stretching from ear to ear.

Seeing that, the presidents sighed in relief.

If he's that happy, what if he had been voted against? It would've been a huge disaster.