The Chaebol Returns To The Presidency 1967 [EN]: Chapter 147

147. Time Magazine Cover

President Jung replied.

“In Korea, products containing glyphosate are prohibited, and Germany and Taiwan are also enacting similar bans. The idea that consuming pesticides is dangerous isn’t just my opinion, but a concern shared by consumers worldwide. As a result, the demand for GMOs will inevitably decrease. Is this trend solely due to my decision? Guiding the market towards NON-GMO products is simply preparing in advance for this decline in sales, Congressman!”

“…….”

“The argument is about changing the mindset of cultivators and sellers who are willing to threaten lives for profit. Why should a businessman like me be responsible for that? Isn’t this something the congressmen here should be addressing?”

The congressmen in the audience avoided eye contact.

“They should be the ones called to a hearing. Why should someone like me, who is trying to prevent this, be standing here?”

“…….”

A moment of silence fell.

Embarrassed, Congresswoman Jemina suggested a compromise.

“Well, then, how about reducing the confusion by extending the grace period to a sufficient 3 or 5 years instead of just next year?”

“The period can be extended. But if neighboring farms have large yields while my farm loses money, who will take the initiative to switch? In the last year of the grace period, the same problem will occur again. If the grace period is abused and continuously extended, it becomes meaningless.”

“…….”

“So, I have a suggestion.”

“What kind of suggestion is it?”

“It’s about using incentives rather than penalties.”

“…….”

“Since one year is considered too short, the grace period will be extended to three years. During this period, Cargill will purchase NON-GMO grains at a 15% higher price than GMOs. In return, the government should commit to purchasing the entire quantity as NON-GMO grains.”

“…….”

The parliament buzzed with discussion.

“Just as pesticide companies or cultivators make their own choices, isn’t the government, which uses taxpayer money for purchases, also entitled to choose its purchasing conditions as a consumer, Congressman?”

“Hmm, that sounds like a highly feasible proposal. So, Cargill is willing to absorb 15% of the cost?”

“That’s right. It’s advantageous because it provides incentives to NON-GMO producing farms.”

“I think it’s a valid guiding policy. I will discuss it with the government.”

The hearing, which had been expected to be a one-sided shaming or accusatory attack, took a completely different turn.

It was a more productive session than anyone anticipated, awakening the arrogant US congressmen and presenting viable alternatives.

*

After the hearing, President Jung returned to the hotel and slumped down on the sofa.

“Ah, it was a long, long day.”

The interpreter said.

“You did a really great job. I was also impressed while interpreting. It was the first time I’ve seen congressmen scolded like that.”

“I’m not an American, so I had no choice but to go all-in without worrying about political repercussions. You must be tired today, so go in and rest.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

After the interpreter left, he took out a can of beer from the refrigerator and gulped it down.

The tingling and cool sensation washed over him.

“Keuh~ As expected, a drink after work is the best. I hope this beer isn’t made from GMO grains.”

Just then.

Ring~ Ring~

The landline rang.

“Who could it be at this hour? An international call?”

President Jung picked up the receiver.

“Hello?”

The hotel telephone operator said.

“This is a call from a company executive named Johnson. Shall I connect you?”

“Johnson? Who is that? I don’t recognize the company.”

He had dealings with so many companies that he couldn’t remember all the executives, especially the names of foreigners.

“Anyway, connect me.”

But a threatening male voice came through the receiver.

“I’m giving you, the Oriental, one last chance. If you don’t fulfill even one of these two conditions, be prepared to have a rusty bullet in your head.”

“Wh-who are you?”

“First, withdraw the GMO purchase refusal! Second, leave America!”

“Who are you to threaten me! Don’t just call cowardly, show yourself and argue!”

“I’ll give you exactly ten days.”

Click!

“…….”

President Jung had been threatened with a gun in the United States during Chairman Wang’s time, and now he was in the same situation.

President Jung rushed to the guest room door and checked the locks.

*Surely, he’s not right outside the door, is he?*

Ring~ Ring~

The ringing phone made his heart pound.

He hesitated whether to answer it or not.

*Is it a trick to confirm that I’m in the room?*

He realized only a few minutes had passed since the first call.

And the caller had mentioned ten days and hung up without hesitation.

*I shouldn’t show any weakness.*

He picked up the receiver, bracing himself.

“Hello!”

It was the hotel operator’s voice.

“This is a call from the editor-in-chief of *Time* magazine. Would you like to receive it?”

“*Time* magazine?”

It wasn’t the earlier threat, so he felt relieved.

“Connect me.”

“Chairman Jung, it’s nice to meet you over the phone. I’m Trish, the editor-in-chief of *Time* magazine.”

“Nice to meet you! I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy to hear from someone I don’t even know.”

“It’s about featuring Chairman Jung Joo-hyun in a special article. Would that be acceptable?”

“Me? I don’t think I’m the kind of person who would be featured there.”

“This hearing was very impressive. You are fully qualified.”

“…….”

*

Presidential residence, bedroom.

The president, in his pajamas, was lying in bed, receiving President Jung’s international call.

“Hahahaha, President Jung has become a celebrity in the United States now. And it seems someone is already trying to point a gun at you, hahahaha.”

“Your Excellency, it’s not something to laugh about. My spine was chilling. I don’t want to be shot to death again this time.”

“Now, hire armed bodyguards. And in the United States, don’t stay in hotels, but live in houses with thorough security. You have to respond to attacks with defense.”

“Hotels were cheap and convenient, but I’m going to end up buying a mansion. I don’t know if it’s appropriate to buy and maintain a house when I don’t even stay there for a month a year.”

“Saving money is not a virtue in the United States. You have to spend as much as you have. That’s how employment increases and the economy thrives.”

“Sigh, I understand. I’m experiencing firsthand what kind of country the United States is this time. Oh, and should I do the *Time* magazine interview? I was trying to operate quietly behind the scenes, but if the public recognizes me, the opposition will be even more aggressive, won’t they?”

“If there are assassins, your position is already exposed. The news of the hearing was also published in Korean newspapers’ foreign news sections.”

“Even in Korea….”

“Rather, take this opportunity to make your face known to the world and become a big shot. That way, even petty criminals won’t dare to touch you.”

“Will it be like that?”

*

Cargill headquarters.

President Jung was being interviewed by the editor-in-chief of *Time* magazine in the chairman’s office.

The camera crew diligently took pictures of President Jung’s interview.

The editor-in-chief said.

“I see that you have a history of success as an entrepreneur and politician in Korea. You ran for president and dropped out while leading in the polls. What was the reason for resigning at that time?”

The background check was thorough.

President Jung replied.

“That’s because I’m not cut out for politics. I initially took on the ministerial position as an extension of business management. As I continued, I ended up running for office. But I realized it wasn’t the right path for me, so I resigned. As you can see, I’m better suited to be a businessman.”

“There’s a rumor that you resigned to concede to the Korean president, who was serving his third term. Is that true?”

“I guess that’s how it’s interpreted in hindsight.”

He couldn’t reveal the inside story, so he cut off the topic.

“Are you not planning to pursue politics in the future?”

“That’s right.”

“Do you have an aversion to political power?”

“I was burned once, so I’m atoning for it this time.”

“Pardon? What do you mean?”

“That’s, in my previous life….”

He almost blurted out the truth about his regression [reincarnation or time travel].

He quickly covered it up.

“E, so, as I was working in the cabinet, I judged that free business was more suitable for me, hmm, hmm.”

“Will you do politics again if you have the opportunity?”

She kept probing, as if she suspected he was hiding something.

“Hahahaha, you’re really persistent.”

“Politics is partly voluntary and partly forced, so I’m asking this question because I expect that Chairman Jung, who prioritizes the public interest, would fully reverse his decision if there were a compelling reason involving national interest. Even if the people and the country called upon you, would you still refuse?”

He was sweating.

“Um, I’ll pass on that.”

The editor-in-chief asked.

“I’ll ask you about the parliamentary hearing. Political commentators are saying that this hearing has made the parliament realize it has been representing special interest groups rather than the people.”

“That’s an overstatement.”

“What were you most angry about with the congressmen?”

“The lives of poor children in aid countries and the children of the American upper class should be valued equally. But I was very angry at the idea that the poor could be forced to eat pesticide-containing grains. It seemed like they had forgotten the value of human beings. Freedom shouldn’t harm others, and the wealthy should be considerate of the underprivileged, but it seemed to be leaning too much towards the law of the jungle of capital. Capital without a guiding philosophy is more frightening than a wild beast.”

The editor-in-chief recorded his words and diligently wrote down the key points in her notebook.

President Jung also mentioned the phone threat and continued the interview for a full four hours.

*

A week later.

*Time* magazine, featuring a cover photo of President Jung with his arms crossed and staring straight ahead, was published.

Despite the sharp questions during the interview, the editor-in-chief introduced President Jung’s philosophy and successful achievements in detail and favorably.

A call came from the President of Korea.

“Oh, the magazine photo came out very nicely.”

“I’m sorry, Your Excellency.”

“The editor-in-chief’s comment that you could be elected right away even if you ran for US congressman or governor was interesting. You’ve become a big shot now.”

“There are many people who recognize me when I go out on the streets of the United States, so I’m buying a car and traveling with armed bodyguards. I feel like I’ve become a mafia figure.”

“Hahahaha, that’s how all the big shots in the United States do it.”

“I’ll wrap up the seed business and return to Korea as soon as possible.”

Even after ten days, the person who threatened him did not reappear.

*

The US government announced that it would not purchase GMO grains containing pesticide residues.

With Cargill’s incentives and the government’s selective purchases, cultivators could no longer resist, so they relented and were busy calculating which option would be more profitable.

Large-scale cultivators no longer needed to sow GMO grains.

The GMO grain cultivation area gradually decreased.

Cargill’s stock price, which had plummeted, recovered to 90%.

The remaining -10% reflected the forecast that net profit would decrease due to the provision of incentives.

*

Sorrow Mansion, living room.

Sorrow, the son of Cargill’s former president, threw down the newspaper he was reading.

“Damn it!”

He had predicted a crash and sold all but 5% of his 29% stake, but when the stock price returned to its original level, he was furious.

“Kaaa~ Damn it, damn it! It’s recovering like this!”

He had also resigned from the chairmanship because his stake had decreased.

His uncle came in and said.

“What will happen to our grain company?”

He had started a grain distribution company with the money he made from selling his stake to continue the family business.

“Customers aren’t increasing because of that damn Cargill and the government!”

The GMO production itself was decreasing, so he could only contract with dozens of small farms.

It was a shabby, insignificant operation that couldn’t compete with the giant Cargill, which made cash payments and benefited from government purchases.