The CEO of Ahyun, the biggest auto company in the country, Jung Manho, TK’s Jun Junghee, Daeyang’s Choi Taemin, MG Group’s Goo Bonho. The biggest names of Korea were gathered in one place.
“President Kang recently purchase Home Mart and TK’s 10th Avenue, which means KND may soon rule both the online and offline markets. President Park, you need to watch out for this young man.”
Chairman Park Heejun.
He was the owner of Shinro Group, which was known for it’s Shin Marts.
Park Heejun turned to Woosung and joked, “Haha, please be kind to me.”
“I am the one learning about this business, so I hope to learn from you, sir.”
Park Heejun laughed and asked, “Haha, I heard a rumor that you are using the same IT technique as Amazon to reduce the price point. Is this true?”
Daeyang’s rival MG Electronics’ CEO Gu Bonho added, “I also heard you will be incorporating the Coconut Pay to make it even more convenient for the customers. Is your plan going well?”
These were all business secrets, but they were already well known to everyone. There was no way to protect the confidentiality of these strategies.
Woosung replied, “I’m working as hard as I can.”
Ahyun auto’s Jung Manho joked, “If you are going to get involved in the auto business too, please let me know in advance so I can prepare myself.”
TK’s Jun Junghee laughed loudly, “Hahaha! If President Kang was that nice, I wouldn’t have gotten into this frequency auction mess!”
Jung Manho narrowed his eyes and nodded. “I suppose. I just hope you didn’t already start developing the self-driving cars.”
He looked at Woosung for any reactions, but Woosung replied neutrally, “I am considering it. As you know, I recently purchased a large portion of SpaceX. I am also looking into investing in Tesla.”
Jung Manho swallowed nervously.
Park Heejun asked, “Are you working with Amazon too?”
Woosung replied lightly, “Haha, gentlemen, you can’t ask me these top secret questions.”
TK’s Jung Junghee said to everyone, “This young man is someone we should all fear. He just got into the mobile carrier business and he already owns 20% of the market. He also took over a few of TK’s businesses.” Jung Junghee looked around and added, “If you don’t want to be eaten by this guy, you better watch out. I’m guessing MG Electronics was also affected by Kang Woosung, right?”
MG’s Gu Bonho replied, “Very much so. At least MG’s main business is appliances, so it wasn’t as bad for us as Daeyang.”
Everyone looked at Choi Taemin, who replied quietly, “We are okay for now. Daeyang’s foundation is very strong.”
Woosung quickly added, “Haha, then us in KND need to work harder. We are working on adding Coconut I into Blue S3. The customers will go crazy for it. I’ll do my best to win against Daeyang.”
Jung Junghee joked, “Wow, you’re scary!”
Woosung continued quickly, “And with Daenam construction, we will be building smart homes. All of my companies, KND, Coconut, and Daenam, will help each other.”
Everyone quieted. All the CEOs showed respect. They knew everything Woosung said and planned would affect them.
***
Lee Parksung looked around the room.
“I know better than anyone how hard it is to run a business.”
Lee Parksung was the CEO of Ahyun 20 year ago.
Jung Manho added, “But it has gotten easier for all of us thanks to you, President Lee.”
“Haha, I’m glad to hear that. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to come to me.”
“Thank you.”
“And…”
When the President hesitated, Jun Junghee encouraged him, “Please, President, feel free to tell us anything you need.”
Lee Parksung nodded and continued, “Recently, we have noted that the economy has been deteriorating. The employment rate has been declining.”
He was asking for the CEOs to increase employment opportunities. Everyone nodded.
Jung Manho answered quickly, “We will try our best.”
Others added.
“Why don’t I start the next quarter’s employment plan now?”
“I will order to increase the number of job openings by at least 10%.”
It was a joke. Everyone jumped at the President’s words.
Lee Parksung smiled and replied, “I am so lucky to have all of you. I am especially thankful to President Kang, who achieved the decreasing of the mobile phone fee for the public.”
Woosung answered quickly, “Not at all, President.”
Lee Parksung quickly glanced at Jung Manho and added, “The only thing is, President Kang, you need to stop expanding so fast. It is causing everyone problems. You need to focus on one area. Please take this advice.”
Woosung knew what he was trying to say. He replied quickly, “I will consider it.”
Jung Manho grinned, but the other CEOs looked unhappy.
“And I heard that you are interested in developing the Yongsan project?”
When Woosung nodded, Choi Taemin frowned. At present, Daeyang Construction owned a large portion of the Yongsan project.
“What does Daeyang’s Vice President Choi think?”
“Daeyang can do this project. Don’t you think switching to a different company will be too risky?”
Lee Parksung said firmly, “Daeyang is great at developing new technologies, so perhaps you should focus on that. It would be too much for you to get involved in the constructions too. Besides, the project hasn’t been going well anyway.”
Choi Taemin sighed lightly. “I will think about it.”
“This is for the good of the country. Everyone needs to make small sacrifices for the better future.”
After the meeting, Choi Taemin remained. He was ushered into a reception room where Lee Sunghyun was waiting.
“Sorry for such a short notice, but I needed to talk to you quickly.”
Lee Sunghyun was the second son of the President. Choi Taemin couldn’t refuse such a request.
He replied, “What is so important that you needed to see me right away?”
“I think you probably have been having an issue because of Kang Woosung, right?”
Choi Taemin bit his lips and nodded.
Lee Sunghyun continued, “That is why I contacted you.”
“Is this about Yongsan project? I already told the President I will think about it.”
Lee Sunghyun laughed, “Haha, not that. It’s something else. I have heard that you are concerned about Kang Woosung and his companies KND, Coconut, and XFeed. The prosecutors and the Revenue agency couldn’t find anything wrong with his companies. I heard NIS also tried, but nothing…”
Choi Taemin remained silent.
Lee Sunghyun continued, “Haha, the government is also worried about Kang Woosung’s expansion rate. The problem is we can’t find anything on him at all.”
“So?”
“So we are thinking of getting the FTC involved, but it can be bit tricky as you can imagine…”
Choi Taemin flinched. Lee Sunghyun took a sip of his tea and continued.
“We need help from the media, but the government can’t do that. We have no control over the media, and it just won’t look right.”
“…”
“I think the shows ’60 Minutes’ or the ‘Watchdog’ should air an investigative episode on Kang Woosung’s business expansion.”
“I thought the government was on Kang Woosung’s side.”
“Haha, we are on nobody’s side. As you know, the government should always remain objective.”
Choi Taemin nodded.