The Conglomerate Family Became A Villain [EN]: Chapter 141

141. Crisis and Opportunity (4)

The first person Jung Hyun-woo met upon arriving in Korea wasn’t Chief Secretary Hong Won-ik or Jung Min-young.

It was Kim Hak-soo from the International Team of the National Security Planning Agency [a South Korean intelligence agency, later renamed the National Intelligence Service] who came to greet him.

“I’ll be escorting you from now on.”

Jung Hyun-woo sighed briefly, looking at the two men in black sunglasses.

“It feels like I’m being dragged away.”

Kim Hak-soo slightly bowed his head, responding to his words.

“The agents must always conceal their faces, so please understand.”

The difference between the National Security Planning Agency and the Presidential Security Service could be identified by whether they covered their faces or not.

“Lead the way.”

“Then this way.”

Jung Hyun-woo exited through a VIP gate, separate from the general passenger arrival area.

Then, he got into a Benz sedan and headed towards the Blue House [the executive office and official residence of the South Korean president].

“There’s a lot of construction.”

Construction was in full swing on both sides of the road.

“It’s because of the upcoming Asian Games.”

The 1986 Asian Games were scheduled to be held in South Korea.

‘Roughly a year and a half left, huh?’

In a few days, it would be 1985.

It was only natural that Seoul was bustling everywhere.

“We’re entering the city center.”

The vehicle driven by Kim Hak-soo entered a congested area.

“There are many more cars in Seoul now.”

“Daehyun Motors sells tens of thousands of vehicles every year.”

Since a significant number of vehicles sold by Daehyun Motors roamed the roads of Seoul, traffic congestion was unavoidable.

“Still, it’s better compared to New York.”

Kim Hak-soo slightly nodded.

“I suppose it is, compared to New York.”

He treated Jung Hyun-woo with the utmost respect.

‘He’s young, but he’s a guest we can’t let our guard down around.’

If anything happened to Jung Hyun-woo, it could become a national-level issue.

‘Jung Hyun-woo is a citizen of South Korea, but he’s also someone protected by the United States.’

He knew that Jung Hyun-woo had formed strong connections within the American political and academic circles.

“The congested area is over.”

The end of the congested area meant he was going to increase the speed.

“Understood.”

The Benz sedan increased its speed and arrived at the targeted safe house in 10 minutes.

“Here it is.”

Jung Hyun-woo visually scanned the safe house among the luxury residences.

‘It looks ordinary on the outside.’

The safe house was well-camouflaged to the point where the neighborhood residents wouldn’t recognize it.

“Let’s go inside.”

Jung Hyun-woo lightly nodded and entered the safe house.

“Wasn’t the safe house not being used after that incident?”

The site of the presidential assassination was precisely a safe house.

“There was an unfortunate incident, but it’s not that they aren’t being used.”

“I see.”

Kim Hak-soo stopped walking in the hallway.

“They’re waiting inside.”

Jung Hyun-woo nodded and opened the door.

Creak.

“Oh, you’ve arrived?”

The person greeting him with a bright expression was Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Heo Moon-young. And there was one more person next to him.

“This friend is Director Geum Tae-joon.”

They wouldn’t call the director of a mere department to a safe house.

Jung Hyun-woo could roughly guess who Geum Tae-joon was.

‘The director of the National Security Planning Agency, I presume.’

Briefly, the head of the NSP.

A man wielding immense power next to the president.

“I’m Jung Hyun-woo.”

Director Geum Tae-joon nodded and accepted his greeting.

“I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m Geum Tae-joon.”

Was it because of his age?

Director Geum Tae-joon and Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Heo Moon-young didn’t get up from their seats.

Jung Hyun-woo sat across from the two of them.

“It’s unexpected that you called me straight from the airport.”

Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Heo Moon-young smiled gently.

“I heard that your schedule is tight.”

The time Jung Hyun-woo would stay in South Korea was only 23 hours.

“Excluding sleep, I probably have about 12 hours left.”

Excluding the time spent moving around, it wouldn’t even be 10 hours instead of 12.

“Since we don’t have much time, shall we get straight to the point?”

Jung Hyun-woo slightly nodded.

“That would be better for us as well.”

Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Heo Moon-young gestured, and Director Geum Tae-joon lightly coughed and began to speak.

“Ahem, ahem. About what we asked you last time.”

What the South Korean government wanted was a connection to the Republican Party.

“You mean the connection.”

“I heard you’re looking into it, but I’m curious about how it’s progressing.”

The Blue House hadn’t received any concrete information from Jung Hyun-woo yet.

“How about Congressman Edinburgh?”

“Congressman Edinburgh, isn’t he a candidate for Speaker of the House on the Republican side?”

“That’s correct.”

Director Geum Tae-joon nodded, seemingly satisfied.

“That would be good enough.”

This time, Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Heo Moon-young asked.

“Are you saying you can arrange a private meeting with Congressman Edinburgh?”

“Is it just a private meeting? A dinner is also possible.”

Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Heo Moon-young liked the gift Jung Hyun-woo brought.

“A dinner. How many people should we send from our side?”

Jung Hyun-woo picked up his teacup and answered.

“As you know, Congressman Edinburgh is a senior member of the Republican Party. It would be difficult if it were someone too junior.”

Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Heo Moon-young slightly narrowed his brow.

“Someone not junior. But we can’t send a minister-level official, can we?”

If a minister visited the United States, it would inevitably be in the news.

“I don’t think we need a minister.”

“Then what level would be appropriate?”

“How about the Chief of Staff?”

Chief of Staff Han Cheol-in.

The authority and power he wielded far surpassed that of a minister.

“Does it have to be Chief of Staff Han?”

Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Heo Moon-young inwardly wanted to handle it within his own capacity.

“I think it depends on the importance of the matter.”

“The importance of the matter?”

“If you want to ask for something significant, you’ll need Chief of Staff Han, but if it’s just for building friendly relations, Senior Secretary Heo would be sufficient.”

Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Heo Moon-young and Director Geum Tae-joon exchanged glances.

It meant that making a decision was not an easy task.

“We’ll have to think about that.”

Jung Hyun-woo slightly nodded.

“You don’t have to decide urgently. Just let me know before you come to the United States.”

Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Heo Moon-young felt relieved that things seemed to be going well.

“It seems like our side’s work is done, let’s hear about Hyun-woo’s work as well.”

Jung Hyun-woo also had something to ask of them.

“It’s about my secret.”

Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Heo Moon-young and the Blue House had promised to protect his secret as much as possible.

“You mean your identity?”

“Yes.”

“Rumors have been circulating among international students these days.”

Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Heo Moon-young thought that even he couldn’t stop these rumors.

Director Geum Tae-joon raised his voice.

“Don’t tell me you’re asking us to crack down on the rumors?”

He thought that although it was a difficult task, there was nothing they couldn’t do if they wanted to.

Jung Hyun-woo shook his head.

“You won’t be able to stop the rumors.”

“Then what is it that you’re asking us to do?”

“Please let it flow quietly.”

Director Geum Tae-joon tilted his head.

“Let it flow quietly?”

“Include it in a big news story, saying that a young man named Jung Hyun-woo has had a small success in the United States. It would be nice if you could release the news like that.”

Director Geum Tae-joon stroked his chin after hearing Jung Hyun-woo’s story.

“Hmm, so you want to dilute it with big news? But big news doesn’t appear when we want it to, does it?”

Jung Hyun-woo had a news story in mind in advance.

“How about President Reagan’s inauguration ceremony?”

Director Geum Tae-joon took his hand off his chin at Jung Hyun-woo’s suggestion.

“That’s… a good idea.”

“If you cover overseas news extensively with President Reagan’s inauguration ceremony and then release my news, it will pass by as just a young Korean-American who has succeeded.”

Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Heo Moon-young also thought it was a good idea.

“You had this in mind before coming to Korea.”

Jung Hyun-woo smiled gently.

“I had a lot of time to think about it on the plane.”

Whether he thought about it in the United States or on the plane, the place and time were not important.

What was important was that this proposal was quite plausible.

This time, Director Geum Tae-joon asked him.

“Do we have to broadcast it on all broadcasting stations?”

“Let’s just have it go on one of the two.”

“Just one of the two?”

“Since it’s just to let it flow.”

Director Geum Tae-joon nodded at his answer.

“I understand.”

He thought that wouldn’t be difficult.

‘As the rumors say, he’s not a young man to be underestimated just because he’s young.’

Jung Hyun-woo’s words and actions were not those of a nineteen-year-old.

“Is there anything else you want to ask of us?”

Jung Hyun-woo bowed his head slightly and answered.

“Please take care of my grandfather.”

It meant not to harass the Daeun Group and Chairman Jung Woo-sun. The reason he said this was because of one piece of news he had heard in the United States.

‘Just in case, the Daeun Group shouldn’t become a target of the Blue House.’

Director Geum Tae-joon raised his right hand and accepted his words.

“Don’t worry about Chairman Jung. We’ll make sure to block anything that happens.”

“Thank you.”

Jung Hyun-woo thanked them, shared some small talk, and then got up from his seat.

“I’m busy, so I’ll get going now.”

The two didn’t stop him.

“Take care.”

“See you next time.”

Jung Hyun-woo bowed his head again and bid them farewell.

“I’ll see you next time.”

As he came outside, Kim Hak-soo followed him.

“Where shall I take you?”

“Let’s go to the Grand Hyatt Hotel.”

“Understood.”

Grand Hyatt Hotel.

It was where Jung Hyun-woo had his first equal conversation with Chief Secretary Hong Won-ik.

The person he would meet this time was also Chief Secretary Hong Won-ik.

30 minutes later.

Jung Hyun-woo faced Chief Secretary Hong Won-ik. Seeing Jung Hyun-woo come to the Grand Hyatt Hotel without the support of the Daeun Group’s secretary office, he remarked.

“Did you handle your first schedule as soon as you arrived?”

Jung Hyun-woo nodded and answered.

“I don’t have time this time.”

He felt like he was filming a movie like 48 Hours.

‘It’s rushing in one after another without a break.’

It had been a while since he had such a tight schedule.

“Did you take time out of your busy schedule to return to Korea because of me?”

“It’s not because of you, Chief Secretary.”

“Then did the Blue House call you?”

Jung Hyun-woo called the waiter to order coffee and then answered.

“Is it both? Or should I say there are many fires that need to be put out directly?”

Chief Secretary Hong Won-ik sighed deeply.

“Hoo… You seem to have more composure than before.”

“I don’t think I have more composure.”

“I see that you do.”

Jung Hyun-woo shrugged his shoulders.

“Then let’s just say that’s the case.”

Chief Secretary Hong Won-ik put both hands on the table and said.

“Since we don’t have much time, it’s better to get straight to the point, right?”

“I would appreciate it if you did.”

“Then where should we start?”

Jung Hyun-woo asked him back.

“Is your position secure, Chief Secretary?”

Chief Secretary Hong Won-ik nodded and answered.

“My disciplinary action ended with a two-month pay cut.”

Chairman Jung Woo-sun didn’t just let it pass as if nothing had happened.

“I’ll cover your two months’ salary.”

He would take responsibility for the amount that was cut.

Chief Secretary Hong Won-ik heard his words and raised his right hand with the palm facing out.

“It’s okay.”

“Chief Secretary.”

“It’s really okay. I think I have to endure this much too.”

He shouldn’t prioritize Jung Hyun-woo over Chairman Jung Woo-sun.

“I understand. If that’s what you want, I won’t insist anymore.”

Jung Hyun-woo was satisfied that Chief Secretary Hong Won-ik had maintained his position.

‘But his room to maneuver will be narrower than before.’

He couldn’t actively step up for Jung Min-young anymore.

‘Still, there are many benefits to be gained from having Chief Secretary Hong on our side.’

First of all, he could easily secure Chairman Jung Woo-sun’s schedule. He could easily find out who he was meeting and what meetings he was attending through Chief Secretary Hong Won-ik.

“The second story.”

“Is it a request for me?”

“No.”

“It’s not a request, that’s a relief.”

Just as Chief Secretary Hong Won-ik let out a sigh of relief, the waiter appeared with the coffee.

Clunk.

Jung Hyun-woo took a sip of coffee and put down the cup.

“My story will be broadcast on TV early next year.”

Chief Secretary Hong Won-ik narrowed his brow and asked.

“Are you filming a documentary?”

He thought he might be producing a documentary like a proud Korean.

“It’s not a documentary; it will be broadcast briefly as overseas news.”

“Is that alright with you?”

“It’ll be okay.”

Chief Secretary Hong Won-ik nodded at Jung Hyun-woo’s answer.

“If you say it’s okay, then everything must be arranged.”

He acknowledged that Jung Hyun-woo’s schemes were deep.

“It will be broadcast on the day of President Reagan’s inauguration ceremony.”

Chief Secretary Hong Won-ik heard his words and thought, as expected.

“You’re planning to bury your news with President Reagan’s inauguration ceremony.”

“I thought that would be the best.”

Jung Hyun-woo was flawless.

‘Hyun-woo may resemble Min-seok more than Chairman or Min-hyuk.’

He thought that Jung Hyun-woo’s meticulousness resembled Vice President Jung Min-seok.

“All I have to do is inform the Chairman of that fact in advance?”

Jung Hyun-woo nodded and answered.

“Chief Secretary, you need to earn back the lost points too.”

He could have told Chairman Jung Woo-sun about this matter himself.

However, he didn’t do so and allowed Chief Secretary Hong Won-ik to take the credit.

“It’s nice that you’re taking care of this side too, but aren’t you being too relaxed?”

“That’s not the case.”

“Is there anything else you want to ask of me?”

Jung Hyun-woo shook his head from side to side.

“Not now.”

“It’s nice that it’s simple today.”

“Chief Secretary, let’s meet again after meeting with Grandfather.”

Chief Secretary Hong Won-ik slightly raised his voice.

“Tomorrow?”

“Let’s meet at the airport.”

Jung Hyun-woo was planning to squeeze out every last minute.

“Is this it for today?”

“I’ll meet with Chief Secretary again tomorrow.”

As Jung Hyun-woo got up from his seat, Chief Secretary Hong Won-ik asked.

“Aren’t you going home?”

“I’m going to sleep at the hotel today.”

Jung Hyun-woo thought it would be best to have a private meeting with Chairman Jung Woo-sun in the morning.

‘If I meet Grandfather in a tired state, I might make a mistake.’

Chief Secretary Hong Won-ik seemed to have read his thoughts and nodded.

“I understand. Then let me know when you arrive tomorrow morning.”

“I would appreciate it if you did.”

As Chief Secretary Hong Won-ik left, Jung Hyun-woo led his tired body to the hotel front desk.

‘Even though it’s first class, it’s still tiring.’

First class in 1984 was just a wide seat; you couldn’t sleep in a fully flat position while flying.