Third-Generation Chaebol

I entered the meeting room without knowing the results.

The moment I opened the door, applause erupted.

From the way President Woo Sung-il spread his arms and performed a ceremony, I could guess the outcome.

"We will appoint Director Kim Min-jae as vice chairman. Since 90% of the presidents approved, please accept it humbly."

My grandfather patted my shoulder as he spoke.

But 90% approval? That was beyond my expectations.

I had thought there would be quite a few factions opposing me, but apparently not.

Or perhaps due to poor communication, the vote was made by individuals rather than along faction lines.

Yet 90% means about three people voted no.

Without realizing it, I turned my head toward the presidents and saw three with awkward smiles.

Taewoo Construction's President Jang Soo-young and his right-hand man, Taewoo Engineering's President Park Hyuk-soo.

I didn't need to check the details to know they were the ones who voted no.

Jang Soo-young commanded a sizable faction.

However, with this vote, his faction was effectively eliminated.

I looked straight at them and thought about what to say for my appointment speech.

How should I start?

Should I express humility since I became vice chairman in my twenties?

After a brief pause, I spoke my first words.

"Taewoo Group is a frog in a well. Even if we rank first in Korea's business world, it's difficult to break into the top 100 globally. To break down the thick walls of the world, every employee of Taewoo Group must move as one."

In other words, I was saying don't fight over factions.

Put more subtly, I was telling everyone to come under my leadership on their own.

Because I specifically looked at President Jang Soo-young, who voted no, when I spoke, my intent must have been clearly conveyed to everyone.

"To survive on the global stage, we need overwhelming technology and ability. Therefore, I intend to make personnel rules that fairly assess capabilities. Sudden personnel changes may occur, so I ask for your understanding."

I became the group's vice chairman.

Now that I had the authority to control the HR team as I pleased,

I planned to review detailed information on all employees and arrange personnel transfers.

Those who rose through connections or political power would be better off submitting their resignations.

That is, if they didn't want to be assigned to remote overseas branches.

But was I being too harsh?

The more I spoke, the more the expressions of the presidents stiffened.

Since I had wielded the whip this much, I should offer some carrots as well.

"I cannot grow Taewoo Group into the world's number one with my abilities alone. I need the help of many of you senior members, and I promise rewards worthy of that. We are Korea's top company, so surely no one here wants to receive less pay than elsewhere, right?"

"Hahaha!"

When salary was mentioned, laughter blossomed.

After all, a company is a place to make money, isn't it?

I planned to pay executives salaries and bonuses on a completely different level than before.

That way, I could easily get rid of useless people.

"That's enough about personnel. From now on, the chief secretary will also handle the duties formerly done by the director."

"We will announce Vice Chairman Kim Min-jae's appointment to the media. We will flood the news with articles emphasizing his achievements so that no backlash arises."

"There will inevitably be opposing voices. South Korea is still stiff toward accepting a vice chairman in his twenties."

"We'll do our best to block them."

A vice chairman in his twenties—

A perfect title to attract jealousy.

No matter how talented I was, I was ultimately my grandfather's grandson.

Being vice chairman because of the chairman's lineage was an undeniable fact.

"Don't block too fiercely. It might backfire. If you have to endure criticism, better to take it briefly and decisively."

"But negative images might become ingrained."

"If results are delivered, negative images will naturally fade away, won't they?"

For entrepreneurs, results meant stock prices.

As the IT bubble began to burst, the stock prices of several affiliates were plummeting.

In such circumstances, just defending the stock price could earn considerable praise.

"I agree with the vice chairman. Don't overdo it—just give the media some mild support."

"We will do that."

"Now, everyone return to your companies. There's a mountain of work to do—who wants to waste time?"

The emergency meeting came to an end.

The executive presidents still wore confused expressions as they rose from their seats.

Seeing this, my grandfather looked at me and winked.

They say people get childish as they age.

Lately, my grandfather's mischievousness seems to have increased.

***

A few days later.

I settled into the newly established vice chairman's office at the group headquarters.

As I awkwardly fiddled with the nameplate engraved with "Vice Chairman," the Chief of Planning Office came to see me.

"The opposition voices are stronger than expected."

"I confirmed that myself this morning while reading the newspapers. There was even an editorial saying Taewoo Group is in danger because of me."

Taewoo Group placed many advertisements with various media outlets.

Therefore, negative articles harmful to Taewoo Group rarely appeared.

However, the appointment of a vice chairman in his twenties was such a huge issue that even media companies, who might upset advertisers, could not ignore mentioning it.

"We'll reduce the advertising weight in some media outlets."

"Don't do that."

"However, we cannot quietly watch media outlets that publish articles comparing us to the Kim family!"

There were even articles comparing North Korea's hereditary succession to Taewoo Group's succession plans.

Since those media outlets disliked large corporations, some of their articles were provocatively written, but the points made were not entirely wrong.

"Just let it be. More importantly, is the preparation for the Russian inauguration going smoothly?"

"All preparations have been completed secretly. From the flight to accommodation and even the security personnel, everything was arranged."

"It seems I'll be going on a business trip to Russia before I even unpack my things."

There were only five days left until the inauguration.

Because it was such a grand event, I had to arrive in Russia at least three days before the ceremony.

"I will finish the personnel transfer work before you return from the Russia trip."

"It will be very noisy. After all, it's Taewoo Construction, not some other affiliate."

For several days, I checked the personnel roster of Taewoo Construction employees.

I meticulously reviewed their skills, detailed information, and any unusual points—almost to the point of exhaustion.

Still, it wasn't boring because I found hidden gems.

When I found useless people, I even felt disgusted, but I stayed up at night thinking about getting rid of those types this time.

"I'm worried that President Jang Soo-young's faction might strongly resist."

"That borders on an abuse of power."

The authority over personnel matters for affiliate employees belonged to the respective presidents.

No matter how much of a vice chairman I was, ordering staff transfers was close to overstepping my bounds.

They would take it as a declaration of war.

Well, it wasn't entirely meaningless in that sense, but because Taewoo Construction was such a vast organization, pruning had to be prioritized.

"I expect some will either submit their resignations or refuse transfer orders."

"It doesn't matter what they choose. It'd be nicer if they stepped aside willingly, though."

"After you return from your Russia trip, I expect some results will come out one way or another."

"Please endure some hardship in the middle, Director."

I didn't pay much attention and flew to Russia.

Getting rid of someone like President Jang Soo-young was no longer a big deal.

Now that I was vice chairman, I could fire people whenever I wished.

***

The next day.

I arrived at Moscow airport.

As soon as I got off the plane, David and Captain Kang were waiting with dozens of bodyguards, and even Russian police and soldiers were guarding me.

"Isn't this a bit excessive? Even when a president arrives, they don't do this."

"The situation in Russia isn't yet fully stable. There are reports that oligarchs rejecting Putin are gathering forces."

Oligarchs.

Should I call them power tycoons?

Those who accumulated wealth with the help of the government or military were called oligarchs.

They controlled state-owned enterprises and made enormous profits.

Putin was ostracizing the oligarchs.

The siloviki, composed of military officers mostly from the KGB background, were leading the front.

It was a war between the oligarchs and siloviki.

Since the conflict could spread to me, David and Captain Kang gathered a large number of bodyguards at the airport.

"Bodyguards won't come all the way to the accommodation, right?"

"The military will escort the surroundings of the accommodation. Please don't hesitate and get in the car quickly."

Escorted by Captain Kang, I got into the car with David.

It was a bulletproof vehicle that looked suitable for military use, and armed escort vehicles surrounded us.

"Boss! The Kremlin says you'll be staying at a villa in a resort today."

"A villa, not a hotel? Is it because they want us to stay somewhere quiet for security?"

"I don't know the details either. They just sent me an address and nothing else. It sounded very strict—obviously someone with a military background."

"If the owner says to stay at the villa, then we stay at the villa."

Without properly seeing Moscow, we moved to a quiet rural village.

It took a full four hours before we finally arrived at the villa, where soldiers could be seen all around.

"They're certainly not taking any chances with security. It feels like we're inside a military base."

"Our guards aren't allowed inside the villa either. The Russian government said they will take full responsibility for security, so there's nothing we can do."

Only David and Captain Kang went inside the villa with me.

Despite the slightly worn exterior, the interior was ultra-luxurious.

"So I guess we're waiting here until the inauguration? If I'd known, I would have come a few days later."

"Exactly! I don't know why they wanted you in Russia this early."

I hadn't arranged the Russia schedule.

The Russian government had notified me of the plans, and I was just following the schedule.

"Let's unpack quickly and have a light drink. It's not what we intended, but at least we got a chance to rest."

"Since we're in Russia, we should drink whiskey! I'll set it up."

David excitedly started bringing out the drinks.

At that moment, soldiers guarding outside suddenly entered the villa and began frisking us.

"What are you doing?"

Without a chance to resist, the soldiers searched every part of our bodies.

After confirming we had no weapons, they stepped back.

A few minutes later, a completely unexpected person entered the villa.

"I told them not to do that, but they just won't listen to me."

It was Putin.

He smiled as he entered and waved his hand to send all the soldiers filling the villa outside.

"Glad to meet you. I'm Kim Min-jae, Vice Chairman of Taewoo Group."

"Do we really need formal introductions? And shouldn't you introduce yourself as the CEO of SAVE Investment Company rather than Taewoo Group? Ha ha ha."

Putin's words sounded like a joke but had sharp meaning behind them.

Being a former KGB officer, he was well versed in intelligence.