The Conglomerate Family Became A Villain [EN]: Chapter 140

140. Crisis and Opportunity (3)

Executive Vice President Jeong Min-seok crossed his legs and smiled.

“Chief Jang, are you angling for a promotion to a higher chief position in the next personnel reshuffle?”

The man sitting across from him, hands clasped, was Jang Seong-jo, head of the Daewoon Group’s public relations team.

Jang Seong-jo had switched his allegiance to Vice President Jeong Min-seok after the Jeong Hyun-woo incident.

“It’s all thanks to your support, Vice President,” Jang Seong-jo replied.

Vice President Jeong Min-seok was confident that Chief of Staff Hong Won-ik would retire.

“Chief Jang, there will be many opportunities for you in the future.”

“Of course.”

Park Gwan, the president of Daewoon Precision, was also present.

“I hear it’s a done deal that you’ll be promoted to president in the next reshuffle. Is that right?” Jeong Min-seok asked.

“It’s certain,” Park Gwan confirmed.

Vice President Jeong Min-seok believed he had secured a significant advantage in the succession battle.

‘If Chief Hong falls, Min-young’s power will also be greatly diminished.’

All that remained was Heo Mun-young, Minister of Civil Affairs, who was Jeong Min-young’s father-in-law.

However, the position of Minister of Civil Affairs wasn’t one that could be held indefinitely.

‘Two years at most.’

The day Jeong Min-young’s father-in-law left the Blue House [the executive office and official residence of the South Korean president].

That day would mark the end of the succession battle.

“President Park.”

“Yes, Vice President.”

Despite being a president, Park Gwan addressed Vice President Jeong Min-seok, who was technically lower in rank, with deference.

This was because he considered Vice President Jeong Min-seok to be the future chairman.

“We can’t let our guard down until the very end.”

“Of course.”

“Shall we go, then?” Jeong Min-seok said, rising from his seat.

The three men then left to attend the final executive meeting of 1984.

December 27th.

Daewoon Group Conference Room.

The final executive meeting of the year for Daewoon Group was underway.

The main topic was the regular personnel reshuffle scheduled for the beginning of the year.

Chairman Jeong Woo-sun sat at the head of the table, with the presidents of the various Daewoon affiliates seated to his left and right.

“The agenda for today’s meeting is the regular personnel reshuffle for next year,” Jang Woon-young, the president of Daewoon Construction, announced calmly.

“First, we have 332 candidates for promotion to section chief.”

There were no objections to the promotions to section chief.

Most of those gathered simply raised their hands in agreement.

“I approve.”

“I approve.”

“Seems fine to proceed as is.”

President Jang Woon-young nodded.

“Then we’ll proceed without objection.”

The agenda item passed without anyone needing to verify the identities of the 332 people being promoted.

“Next are the 221 candidates for promotion to deputy general manager.”

The deputy general manager position was a stepping stone to becoming a general manager.

Some executives showed a flicker of interest, but it was impossible to scrutinize all 221 names.

‘Besides, this reflects the personnel department’s recommendations.’

There was no real reason to object to the deputy general manager promotions.

“I approve.”

“I approve.”

“Let’s proceed as is.”

This time, just like the section chief promotions, the item passed smoothly.

“Next is the general manager.”

The situation was the same as with the deputy general manager.

‘They’re not executives, so this will pass without issue too.’

As with the previous promotions, the general manager promotions were approved with a simple show of hands.

“Next is the regular executive personnel reshuffle.”

Executive personnel reshuffle.

This was the reshuffle that would determine the fate of those present, and everyone’s eyes sharpened.

“There are 71 promotions to managing director, 22 promotions to executive director, 9 promotions to vice president, and 3 promotions to president. For your information, there are no promotions to chief this year.”

Three people being promoted from vice president to president.

That meant three of the affiliate presidents in the room would have to step down.

‘Who will be the ones stepping down?’

Those who were being replaced had likely already been notified. However, among those who were to succeed them, there might be some who were still in the dark.

“Please review the list.”

As President Jang Woon-young finished speaking, staff from the secretariat entered and distributed documents containing the promotion list.

The executives checked the list and exclaimed softly.

“Ah……”

“Oh, him?”

“This personnel reshuffle is… unexpected.”

As soon as Vice President Jeong Min-seok received the list, he frowned.

‘Chief Hong is being retained?’

Hong Won-ik’s name was still listed for the Daewoon Group Chief of Staff position.

‘In that case…?’

What would happen to Public Relations Chief Jang Seong-jo?

His name was written directly below Chief Hong Won-ik’s.

‘He’s being retained too?’

Just like this year, Public Relations Chief Jang Seong-jo would remain the head of public relations next year as well.

Seeing his name in the Public Relations Chief position, Jang Seong-jo sighed inwardly.

‘Haa… How did this happen?’

Vice President Jeong Min-seok had assured him of his promotion. But he hadn’t been promoted, and Chief of Staff Hong Won-ik was still in his position.

Daewoon Precision President Park Gwan also frowned.

‘Hmm, this isn’t right.’

Chief Hong Won-ik had clearly made a major mistake. Yet, the fact that he was being retained suggested something was amiss.

‘Did Director Jeong block it?’

Jeong Min-young might have used his connections in the Blue House to protect his loyalists.

‘If so, this is a misstep.’

He could protect Chief Hong Won-ik for now, but interfering with Daewoon Group’s personnel reshuffle using external influence would displease Chairman Jeong Woo-sun.

“I’ve reviewed it,” Chairman Jeong Woo-sun said.

“There are some unexpected appointments.”

Chairman Jeong Woo-sun opened his mouth for the first time.

“I want all executives to share their opinions freely.”

The person who smiled at his words was Jang Woon-young, the president of Daewoon Construction.

The executives noticed that Jang Woon-young’s name was missing from the list.

‘He must have already been notified of his retirement.’

‘Even though his name is missing, he’s smiling, so Chairman Jeong must have taken good care of him so he wouldn’t feel slighted.’

‘President Jang’s position has become Vice President Jeong’s position.’

Jang Woon-young’s successor as president of Daewoon Construction was Vice President Jeong Min-seok.

“President Park, what do you think?” Chairman Jeong Woo-sun asked.

The question was directed at Park Gwan, the president of Daewoon Precision.

He had a lot to say, but he couldn’t speak frankly to Chairman Jeong Woo-sun.

“I think Vice President Jeong’s promotion is a good move.”

“A good move?”

“Wouldn’t a young president inject vitality into the group?”

Chairman Jeong Woo-sun nodded at his answer.

“That could very well be the case.”

As he finished speaking, Vice President Jeong Min-seok carefully raised his hand.

“Chairman.”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“The chief appointments remain unchanged.”

“Are you saying you don’t like that everyone is being retained?”

Vice President Jeong Min-seok composed himself and said, “Wouldn’t it be beneficial to have some changes? There are some who have recently caused problems.”

Chairman Jeong Woo-sun tilted his head.

“Problems? Who caused problems?”

Vice President Jeong Min-seok inwardly felt a pang of regret at Chairman Jeong Woo-sun’s reaction.

‘Oh… It seems there really was external intervention.’

He quickly lowered his head.

“No, it’s just that it seems like there haven’t been any changes for several years, so I was just saying.”

Chairman Jeong Woo-sun raised his right hand at his words.

“Unlike the presidents of the affiliates, the chiefs are not people who go out and fight. They are people who manage things internally. It would be difficult to change the internal people too often.”

Park Gwan, the president of Daewoon Precision, smiled and echoed Chairman Jeong Woo-sun’s words.

“Hahaha, I think it’s as the Chairman says.”

The executives smiled as if agreeing with his opinion.

“Then we will conclude the final executive meeting of 1984.”

With President Jang Woon-young’s closing statement, the Daewoon Group executive meeting came to an end.

All that remained was to receive approval from the board of directors at the beginning of next year.

* * *

“This doesn’t make sense!”

The one who raised his voice was Public Relations Chief Jang Seong-jo. He was very unhappy with the fact that Chief of Staff Hong Won-ik had been retained.

‘That position was originally mine.’

Vice President Jeong Min-seok, who had been appointed as the president of Daewoon Construction, crossed his legs and said, “Let’s wait and see for a year or two.”

“A year or two, you say?”

“It seems the Blue House intervened.”

Public Relations Chief Jang Seong-jo’s eyes widened.

“Are you saying the Blue House intervened in Daewoon Group’s regular personnel reshuffle?”

“Otherwise, how else would Chief Hong have been retained?”

Park Gwan, the president of Daewoon Precision, shared the same thought.

“If they suppressed it with the power of the Blue House, it might be fine for now, but there will be repercussions.”

“My father is the type to accumulate anger and then explode.”

Public Relations Chief Jang Seong-jo listened to the two men and nodded.

“I think my thinking was short-sighted.”

Vice President Jeong Min-seok turned his gaze to President Park Gwan.

“President Park, you’re being retained this time as well.”

“I don’t know how fortunate I am just to be retained.”

President Park Gwan was secretly aiming for the vice president position at Daewoon Construction.

However, Chairman Jeong Woo-sun did not grant his wish.

“It seems the only one who got promoted from Min-young’s circle is Min-young himself.”

“Isn’t Executive Vice President Jeon also from Director Jeong Min-young’s circle?”

Executive Vice President Jeon Ki-jin of Daewoon Corporation.

He was from the same Y University as Jeong Min-young.

“They are close, but not to the extent that we can call it a circle yet.”

“Then this is our victory.”

Although they couldn’t remove Hong Won-ik, it could be said that it was a successful personnel reshuffle in that they blocked the advancement of Jeong Min-young’s circle.

However, something bothered him.

‘President Jang Woon-young retired too cleanly.’

President Jang Woon-young was the president of Daewoon Construction, which was the core of the Daewoon Group.

In terms of group ranking, he was third after the vice chairman.

However, since the vice chairman position was vacant, he was the de facto second-in-command.

‘Has there ever been a case where the second-in-command simply stepped down?’

As far as Vice President Jeong Min-seok knew, there weren’t many such cases.

At the same time.

Daewoon Group Chairman’s Office.

“President Jang, you handled that meeting well.”

“It was just a regular meeting, wasn’t it?”

President Jang Woon-young of Daewoon Construction said that there was nothing special about the meeting, even though it was the meeting where his retirement was decided.

“There’s something I want to ask you.”

President Jang Woon-young slightly lowered his head.

“If there’s something you’re curious about, Chairman, I’m happy to answer it.”

“That’s not like you, being so formal.”

President Jang Woon-young raised his head and relaxed his face.

“Chairman, how could I be formal? I’ve been promoted, after all. Hahahaha.”

Promotion.

That’s right.

President Jang Woon-young of Daewoon Construction wasn’t stepping down from his position as president, but was instead going to take the vacant position of vice chairman of Daewoon Group.

This was a matter that would be decided at the board of directors meeting at the beginning of next year. That was why his name didn’t appear at the year-end executive meeting.

“What if my grandson tries to sit on my head?”

A grandson trying to sit on his head.

President Jang Woon-young’s smile vanished.

‘He’s talking about Hyun-woo.’

He knew that Jeong Hyun-woo had taken a leave of absence from MIT.

‘The Chairman doesn’t seem to approve of Hyun-woo taking a leave of absence.’

He could have answered that Hyun-woo should be sternly reprimanded. But he didn’t.

“You can scold him, or you can praise him.”

Chairman Jeong Woo-sun’s voice trailed off.

“What kind of answer is that?”

It could be this way, or it could be that way.

This was no different from not answering at all.

“I’m saying it can vary depending on the situation.”

“Hahaha, you’re always good at avoiding direct answers.”

“I’m just telling you my thoughts.”

“Then I’ll change the question. What if that grandson tries to stand in the same position as his grandfather?”

President Jang Woon-young momentarily raised his eyebrows.

“The same position, you say?”

Getting into MIT was certainly a great achievement, but it couldn’t put him on the same level as the chairman of Daewoon Group.

“It seems my grandson has become quite successful.”

“That’s……”

“What if he becomes as rich as me, or even richer than me?”

Becoming richer than Chairman Jeong Woo-sun.

And that too, by a young man who wasn’t even twenty years old.

‘Could such a thing happen?’

President Jang Woon-young thought that Chairman Jeong Woo-sun was imagining a worst-case scenario.

“If such a thing were to happen, you would have no choice but to treat him as an equal. You could say that in capitalism, one’s status is determined by wealth. But you don’t need to worry about such a thing happening, do you?”

Chairman Jeong Woo-sun let out a long sigh.

“Hoo… It’s reality, so how can I not worry?”

President Jang Woon-young blinked.

‘Reality, you say?’

He wondered what this meant.

The Daewoon Group executives still didn’t know about Jeong Hyun-woo and Chairman Jeong Woo-sun’s situation.

* * *

Sera raised her voice as she watched Jeong Hyun-woo packing his luggage.

“You’re going back to Korea?”

“I’m thinking of going for a short trip.”

Sera asked him again.

“What about the year-end events?”

As Victoria Corporation’s reputation had grown, there were many year-end events that Jeong Hyun-woo was expected to attend this year.

“I’ll be back by the evening of the 30th.”

He was saying that he would attend the events starting on the evening of the 30th.

“Then it’ll just be a quick round trip?”

“But I need to see them in person and explain.”

The reason Jeong Hyun-woo had urgently decided to go to Korea was because of Chairman Jeong Woo-sun.

‘I addressed the immediate issue with a phone call, but it’s not something that can be completely resolved that way.’

He was planning to meet Chairman Jeong Woo-sun in person and explain the situation.

Sera was worried about Jeong Hyun-woo’s sudden trip.

“Charlie, you have to come back. This year’s year-end event has…”

“I know. Prominent figures like the Edinburgh Congressman and Justin Balmer are also participating.”

The Edinburgh Congressman was a powerful figure in the Republican Party, and Justin Balmer was a Federal Reserve Board member who had been helpful to Jeong Hyun-woo.

“Sera, don’t worry too much.”

“How can I not worry?”

“I’ve delegated my work to John and Robert.”

Since the trip was short, there wasn’t much work to delegate.

“Hoo… Be careful on your trip.”

“I will.”

Jeong Hyun-woo packed only a small carry-on suitcase.

Sera looked at the small suitcase and asked, “Will that be enough?”

“The itinerary is three days, but I’m only staying in Korea for one day.”

He would be spending most of his time on the plane for this trip.

“Take this too.”

Jeong Hyun-woo tilted his head as he received the clutch bag that Sera handed him.

“What’s inside?”

“Necessary items.”

When Jeong Hyun-woo opened the clutch bag, there were items such as a wristwatch and a tie pin inside.

“These are all brand new, still in their packaging.”

“They’re for gifts.”

“Pardon?”

“Give them to the family members as year-end gifts.”

Jeong Hyun-woo smiled.

“They’re more expensive than the last gifts.”

“Charlie’s position has changed.”

Jeong Hyun-woo was now a billionaire. Therefore, she thought that she couldn’t get away with simple gifts like last time.

“I’ll definitely pay you back when I get back.”

“Of course, you should.”

“Oh, you’re being like a sister.”

Sisters who make sure to get back the money they lend to their younger brothers, with interest.

“Your sister has something in mind.”

Jeong Hyun-woo tilted his head and asked, “What is it?”

“A Ferrari.”

“Huh?”

Sera looked at Jeong Hyun-woo, who couldn’t close his gaping mouth, and said, “I’m just kidding.”

Jeong Hyun-woo lowered his shoulders and said, “I’ll definitely buy you one. A Ferrari.”

“I’m kidding.”

“It would look great on Sera.”

Jeong Hyun-woo thought that even a luxury yacht wouldn’t be too much as a gift for her.