Still, I Will Live As The Son-In-Law Of A Conglomerate [EN]: Chapter 169

169. 48th. Expanding Territory (3)

Seo Junseok and Seo Dongseok returned to Miryong Group’s Jeodong headquarters and immediately took action, as if they knew what Lee Seongmin wanted.

[Requesting a joint board meeting of all Miryong Group affiliates.]

The main conference room was packed with registered directors from all affiliates, as all the group’s decision-makers were gathered.

“I have just come from investment attraction negotiations with Standard Capital Korea. Let me start by telling you their requirements…”

When Seo Junseok revealed Lee Seongmin and Seon Haecheol’s proposal, the room buzzed with excitement. Weren’t the conditions too generous to even imagine?

“I… is that true, Vice Chairman?”

“Vice Chairman Seo Junseok is telling the truth. I was right next to him, so I heard it clearly.”

With Seo Dongseok’s support, the executives fell into contemplation. They had to remove the group’s legitimate son to save the group…

“So, are you telling me to step down from the chairman position?”

Seo Wonseok, sitting in the chairman’s seat, glared at Seo Junseok as if he wanted to kill him, but the good-natured Seo Junseok couldn’t even make eye contact with Seo Wonseok. Seo Dongseok, unable to watch his two older brothers, spoke into the microphone.

“It is heartbreaking to sever ties between Chairman Seo Wonseok and our group. However, I believe accepting the proposal is the best way to protect the livelihoods of the 20,000 Miryong Group family members. What do you all think?”

As Seo Dongseok said, anyone who rejected Standard Capital’s proposal would be considered irrational.

Having already handed over Miryong Motors, a major client, to Daeju Group, the heavy industry business needed to be cut off, and Haedong Group’s amicable culture would ensure employment succession. Furthermore, wouldn’t this be an opportunity to build good relationships with Haedong Group and Standard Capital?

As everyone watched, CEO Kang of Miryong Yanghoe, the group’s holding company, raised his hand.

“I will follow the opinions of Vice Chairman Seo Junseok and Vice Chairman Seo Dongseok. Furthermore, I propose at this meeting to nominate Vice Chairman Seo Junseok as the new chairman of Miryong Group, and Vice Chairman Seo Dongseok as the vice chairman of the financial sector and senior vice chairman of the group.”

“CEO Kang!”

Perhaps due to the betrayal of someone he considered his closest aide, Seo Wonseok shouted, his face reddened, but CEO Kang calmly said to Seo Wonseok.

“I’m sorry, Chairman. To save the group, you must step down.”

“Y, you…!”

CEO Kang, who bowed his head towards the grinding Seo Wonseok, also gritted his teeth.

‘Seo Wonseok committed the apple box incident, but I was the one who had to be investigated. To save the group, Vice Chairman Seo Junseok, who hates bribes, must become chairman, and Vice Chairman Seo Dongseok must support him from the side.’

CEO Kang, who suffered from the ‘Miryong Yanghoe apple box bribery case’ two years ago [a bribery scandal involving gifts of apples], was inclined towards Seo Junseok taking the lead and Seo Dongseok assisting him to reform the group.

As CEO Kang lowered his hand, CEO Park of Miryong Oil, Miryong Group’s cash cow, raised his hand.

“I second the proposal from CEO Kang of Miryong Yanghoe.”

‘Miryong Oil was ruined because of Seo Wonseok’s love for cars. He poured everything he earned into cars and still ended up with debt. To rise again, the reliable Vice Chairman Seo Junseok must take power.’

CEO Park also seconded the proposal, as the company came first, and lowered his hand. Seo Dongseok, sitting next to Seo Junseok, exchanged glances with the two CEOs and spoke into the microphone.

“A second has been made on this agenda. We will resolve the passage of this agenda when a third is made.”

No sooner had Seo Dongseok finished his procedural remarks than CEO Jeong of Miryong Construction, Seo Junseok’s closest aide, raised his hand.

“I third it.”

‘With the Vice Chairman’s Southeast Asian connections, securing construction orders won’t be difficult. The oil refinery will be fine once the economy recovers, so if the Vice Chairman and I boost Yanghoe’s sales with overseas construction, the group will recover quickly.’

CEO Jeong, who had worked hard with Seo Junseok in the sweltering construction sites of Southeast Asia to build the company, also desperately hoped that Seo Junseok, whom he had brought in, would revive the group.

The CEOs of Miryong Group’s three main companies completed the request for Seo Junseok’s inauguration as chairman, and Seo Dongseok proceeded with the board meeting again.

“Since a third has been made, we will confirm the opinions of the group’s board members. All those who approve of Vice Chairman Seo Junseok’s inauguration as the new group chairman, please rise.”

Everyone stood up.

It was a declaration to create a kill list [a list of people targeted for negative consequences] based on whether they approved or disapproved at this meeting.

Seo Dongseok, who had drawn his sword [made a decisive move], was the first to stand up, and CEO Kang, CEO Park, and CEO Jeong followed Seo Dongseok, rising from their seats. The remaining presidents and board members also stood up one by one, leaving only Seo Junseok and Seo Wonseok sitting.

“Miryong Group will be grounded as it is if it’s not Vice Chairman. Please take on the role of chairman.”

“I said that the group and my brother must sever ties to save the group, but I never said I would become the group chairman. I’m also responsible for ruining the group, so what face do I have to sit in the chairman’s seat?”

At Seo Junseok’s refusal, CEO Jeong said.

“The Vice Chairman’s mistakes are nothing compared to the Chairman’s. Standard will solve Miryong Construction’s unsold housing problem if they invest, so what are you hesitating about?”

“The unsold housing problem… Standard Capital said they would solve it, not me. I am not qualified to be the group chairman.”

To Seo Junseok, Seo Wonseok was like a brother who replaced his father, who had passed away early. Not only was he driving out such a brother with his own hands, but sitting in the chairman’s seat was a burden to Seo Junseok himself.

“We know that the Vice Chairman treats the Chairman like the founding chairman. However, we need a center for the group and its employees, Vice Chairman!”

“Please, Vice Chairman!”

At the cry of the president of Miryong Construction, the other board members shouted loudly to Seo Junseok as if they had planned it.

Seo Wonseok couldn’t stand the coup that was happening before his eyes, treating him like a scarecrow.

“I’m the chairman! It’s me!”

“I’m sorry, but big brother is no longer qualified to be chairman.”

“What?”

The person who dumbfounded Seo Wonseok was Seo Dongseok, the youngest of the three brothers.

“You’ve caused trouble and even violated our father’s will not to engage in politics, haven’t you? To get the group back on its feet, little brother, who will focus only on the company, must become chairman.”

“Hey, Seo Dongseok!”

Seo Dongseok’s clothes got wet when he was hit by the water cup that Seo Wonseok threw, but Seo Dongseok’s expression didn’t change.

“That friend Lee Seongmin, the way he looked at little brother was different from when he looked at me. It was the look of a longtime friend.”

“So what!”

“Korea branch’s CEO Seon Haecheol, Haedong Group Chairman Lee Daesu raised him like a son, and he is teaching Lee Seongmin, the eldest grandson, how to work. If such Lee Seongmin trusts little brother, will you continue to resist the investment?”

Seo Dongseok was talking to Seo Wonseok now, but Seo Junseok knew very well that he was talking to himself.

Wasn’t the look in the eyes of that guy, who was about the same age as his youngest cousin, the look of a friend who had been meeting at a food stall for a drink for a very long time?

“The group cannot be preserved unless little brother takes the chairman’s seat. Little brother must take the chairman’s seat.”

Seo Dongseok urged again, and after a moment of silence, Seo Junseok stood up.

“I’m sorry, brother.”

“Y, you…”

Even as Seo Wonseok stuttered and pointed at himself with his finger, Seo Junseok, who had been bowing to his waist, straightened up.

“This vice chairman will accept the request of all board members. However, I will not receive any salary or serve as a registered director until the group is stabilized. The executives, including the directors in this room, must also cut their salaries by half. Do you still agree?”

At Seo Junseok’s request to serve as a common soldier, Seo Dongseok and all the board members shouted loudly.

“Yes, Chairman!”

Only one person, Seo Wonseok, was trembling, looking at the people in the conference room with a dazed look.

***

The next day, morning.

[Seo Junseok, Vice Chairman of Miryong Group, Inaugurated as New Chairman of Miryong Group! The End of the Journey to Recovery?]

[Chairman Seo Junseok Declares Service as a Common Soldier with All Executives Until Group Stabilization!]

[Chairman Seo Wonseok Falls in Bloodless Coup! Excluded from Miryong Group’s Related Parties. To Remain Only as an Individual Shareholder.]

[Standard Capital Injects 3.4 Trillion Won into Miryong Group. Will It Become a Hunter of the Korean Economy or a Savior?]

Lee Daesu smiled bitterly as he looked through the front-page articles of major daily newspapers.

“I’m sorry, brother.”

The ‘Rebellion of Miryong Group’s Younger Brothers,’ who drove out their blood-related brother to save more family members.

Since the beginning of that incident was his eldest grandson, Lee Daesu had no choice but to apologize to the deceased Seo Hyungon.

“Still… my own child is better than those foreigners.”

It was also true that he was proud of his eldest grandson because blood is thicker than water. Wasn’t he a generous guy who knew how to step back, saying that he would not only chase money but also gain value beyond money?

Amidst mixed feelings, Lee Daesu heard the voice of the head butler as he organized the newspapers.

[Master, a guest has arrived.]

“Who is it?”

[It’s Miryong Group Chairman Seo Junseok.]

“Bring him in.”

At Lee Daesu’s shout, the door to the study opened and Seo Junseok entered.

“Have you been well, Chairman? I apologize for not having greeted you all this time.”

“No, Chairman Seo. You must have been busy reorganizing the household that your brother ruined, so you wouldn’t have had time to look for an old man like me. I’m glad to see you again.”

Lee Daesu saw Seo Junseok, the second son of Seo Hyungon, for the first time in 20 years since Seo Hyungon’s death, but he welcomed him as if he had always seen him and moved to sit on the sofa.

“What brings you to visit this old man early in the morning?”

“Thank you, Chairman. Without your words, our Miryong would have disappeared without a trace.”

After finishing his words, Seo Junseok got up from the sofa and prostrated himself on the bare floor.

“Don’t lower your body so easily as the group chairman. Sit down quickly.”

Under Lee Daesu’s warm gaze, Seo Junseok sat down.

“Was the investment attraction successful?”

“I signed the contract this morning, and 1.2 trillion won will come in as the first installment in a few days. The remaining funds are scheduled to come in March. Thanks to Standard, we were able to rebuild the group while reducing the pain.”

Lee Daesu nodded with a satisfied expression as he looked at Seo Junseok’s bright expression.

“That’s good. Revive the company that your father built well.”

“Yes, Chairman. But… I have a request that you may not be comfortable with.”

“Speak comfortably. Aren’t you and I not strangers?”

“Thank you, Chairman. That’s why I’m saying this… I would like to ask for a business alliance between Haedong Construction and Miryong Construction.”

At Seo Junseok’s cautious request, Lee Daesu’s eyes changed sharply.

“What’s the reason? Since we’re talking about business, you must tell me without hiding anything.”

“Of course, Chairman.”

Under Lee Daesu’s gaze that seemed to pierce him, Seo Junseok took a breath and said.

“Our Miryong Construction is strong in luxury construction, but our domestic base and capital are weak. If Haedong Construction, led by Myungjin hyungnim [an honorific term for older brother or senior], can fill this part, we will share all of our construction know-how. Please, Chairman.”

It could be seen as arrogant depending on how you listen to it, but Lee Daesu was always dissatisfied with Haedong Construction’s poor performance in luxury construction.

Then, after hearing that Seo Junseok had found Lee Seongmin, he wanted to promote a business alliance between Miryong Construction and Haedong Construction through Standard Capital. Wasn’t Miryong Construction so skilled in luxury construction that even the strict Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and the Singaporean political and business circles recognized it?

Nevertheless, he had been holding back, thinking about the positions of Lee Seongmin and Standard Capital, but he was very pleased that Seo Junseok had come to him on his own.

“Haha, if our second son were here, he would have jumped up and down holding your hand. I’ll tell him well, so meet him directly and work it out well.”

“Thank you, Chairman!”

Lee Daesu was also hoping for it, so he just laughed heartily as he looked at Seo Junseok, who bowed his head.

***

The news of Standard Capital’s generous investment in Miryong Group also reached Candidate Kim.

“Is it true?”

“Yes. Thanks to Standard Capital, Miryong Group’s recovery is expected to proceed smoothly.”

Candidate Kim’s expression lightened as he listened to the report from his aide, who would become the chief economic secretary at the Blue House after the inauguration.

“It’s fortunate that there are fewer places to use public funds.”

Candidate Kim, who had insight into the economy, quickly realized that Standard Capital’s investment was a great help in economic reconstruction.

Triumph Capital had promised to support 10 billion dollars, but since the money wouldn’t come in until after the inauguration ceremony, Standard Capital’s investment was as valuable as 10 billion dollars.

“Who is the representative of that company?”

“The representative of the US headquarters is Claire Lawrence, and the representative of the Korean branch, Seon Haecheol, is said to be her husband. But… there is a more unique person in the Korean branch than those two.”

Candidate Kim’s ears perked up as he nodded while listening to the report.

“A unique person?”

“It’s Haedong Group Chairman Lee Daesu’s eldest grandson, Lee Seongmin. That friend is said to be a director of Standard Capital’s Korean branch.”

“Chairman Lee’s eldest grandson?”

“Yes. Representative Seon Haecheol has been with Chairman Lee since high school…”

Candidate Kim’s eyes narrowed as he listened to the relationship between Seon Haecheol and Haedong Group from his aide.

“Lee gun [term of respect] is qualified to work at that company.”

“Yes. He had a period of wandering, but he entered Seoul National University as the top student in the liberal arts and successfully consulted for Haedong Department Store and Hi-Mart. Compared to other chaebol [family-owned conglomerate] successors of the same age, his skills have been verified.”

Candidate Kim, who was stroking his chin at the aide’s answer, nodded. He seemed to have made some kind of decision.

“What’s the schedule for the day of the presidential inauguration? The meeting with Henry.”

“The 10 billion dollar investment signing ceremony with Chairman Henry Royce and the subsequent one-on-one talk are scheduled for the afternoon of the inauguration ceremony.”

“I see. If things go well, it seems like I’ll have a small gift to give to Chairman Lee.”

The aide only tilted his head at Candidate Kim’s ambiguous answer.