The Conglomerate Family Became A Villain [EN]: Chapter 203

203. 1986 (1)

1986 was a landmark year for South Korea. After having to return the Asian Games in 1970 due to economic hardship, we finally hosted them. Economically, we experienced high growth thanks to the Three Lows boom [low oil prices, low interest rates, and a weak dollar, which boosted South Korean exports].

However, the democratization movement frequently clashed with the military regime’s suppression efforts, leading to approximately 2,500 arrests.

Looking at the world more broadly, 1986 was a tragic year.

This was due to the Chernobyl nuclear explosion.

January 1, 1986.

Jeong Hyun-woo sat before the TV with a serious expression, mirrored by Sera beside him.

“You said we were having a staycation. What is all this?”

A table stood between them, piled high with documents reaching 30cm.

“It can’t be helped. They need us to review and sign everything by the 5th.”

In 1986, electronic signatures didn’t exist, requiring in-person signatures.

“I’m just saying, why so many documents?”

Jeong Hyun-woo tapped the stack.

“If the Japanese are known for their meticulousness, their weakness is being even more rigid than that meticulousness.”

“Haa…”

“Sera, want to look at a few pages?”

Sera shook her head.

“I’ll look at them tomorrow. Just leave my share.”

Her lips slightly pouted.

“Sera…”

“Don’t make me. I’m resting today.”

Sera didn’t want to work, not today.

Jeong Hyun-woo reluctantly pushed the documents aside.

“Okay. I’ll look at them starting tomorrow.”

Sera’s face instantly brightened.

“Really?”

Jeong Hyun-woo smiled at her happiness.

“That happy?”

“I’ve been working non-stop since we got to Japan.”

“We’ve been to good restaurants, though.”

“But I haven’t seen any tourist attractions.”

“Is that so?”

Sera stood up.

“I’ll get ready to go out. Wait a bit.”

Jeong Hyun-woo nodded and turned on the TV. NHK [Japan Broadcasting Corporation] news was on.

‘Satellite broadcasting isn’t available yet?’

He tilted his head. The screen showed a European landscape.

“Hmm.”

Familiar buildings appeared.

‘That cathedral… Spain.’

On January 1, 1986, Spain and Portugal joined the EC (European Community), the predecessor to the EU (European Union).

‘Do I need to pay attention to Europe now?’

Victoria Corporation hadn’t entered Europe yet.

However, he was considering it.

‘I can’t ignore this market.’

London’s financial market, along with New York, dominated the world’s finances.

‘It’ll be lackluster in the 2020s, but now it’s the 1980s.’

Jeong Hyun-woo began planning for 1986. He never stopped thinking about work, even while watching TV or eating, as if rest was foreign to him.

* * *

Ginza, Tokyo.

Two old men sat in a private room at a high-end Japanese restaurant.

“It’s been a while, Jiro-kun.”

The man on the left was Chairman Kajima Jiro of the Kajima Group.

“Noda-sensei [term of respect for a teacher or respected figure], didn’t we meet a year ago?”

“A year? Has it only been that long?”

“Yes.”

The old man speaking to Chairman Kajima Jiro was Noda, a member of the House of Representatives [the lower house of the Japanese parliament].

Japan, like the United States, has a bicameral system.

“I don’t know where the time goes. I’m starting to think about retiring.”

“Retire? You have another 10 years in you.”

Representative Noda waved his right hand.

“Stop flattering me. Why say such things between us?”

“It’s not like that, Sensei.”

The two men’s relationship went back 40 years, to their time in the Navy on the Pacific Front. Representative Noda was the executive officer of a destroyer, and Chairman Kajima Jiro was a communications officer on the same ship.

“We’ve both been at it too long.”

In the 1980s, Japan was entering an aging society, making retirement in one’s early 60s common.

“Sensei.”

“You have three sons, don’t you?”

“Four.”

“It must be nice to have so many. I only have one.”

Chairman Kajima Jiro envied Representative Noda.

‘If you have only one son, you don’t have to worry.’

You can pass everything on to him.

“It’s not always like that.”

The two men made small talk for another 10 minutes before the food arrived.

*Slide.*

As the door closed, Representative Noda lowered his voice.

“I found out what you wanted to know.”

Chairman Kajima Jiro had met with Representative Noda to get definitive information.

“Thank you.”

Representative Noda sighed.

“Hoo… They’re being too extravagant these days.”

“Why is that?”

“If it weren’t for you, even the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office [Japan’s intelligence agency] wouldn’t have known they came.”

If the United States has the CIA and the United Kingdom has MI6, Japan has the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office.

The Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office specialized in information gathering and investigation, rather than counterintelligence or espionage.

In 1986, their intelligence capabilities supported Japan’s strong economic growth, finding and informing Japanese businessmen of anything they wanted.

Representative Noda’s response to Chairman Kajima Jiro’s request was due to the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office’s nature.

“Are you saying even they didn’t notice?”

Representative Noda nodded.

“That’s right.”

He picked up his chopsticks.

“First, the conclusion: they really came to Japan.”

Chairman Kajima Jiro had asked Representative Noda to confirm if Jeong Hyun-woo, who wanted to do business with them, was the real Jeong Hyun-woo.

“Are you saying an American tycoon is really trying to do business with Kajima Construction?”

Representative Noda chuckled.

“Hahaha, you’re a lucky man.”

“It’s all thanks to people like Sensei helping me.”

Representative Noda put down his chopsticks.

*Clack.*

“15 billion dollars. Can you handle it?”

At his question, Chairman Kajima Jiro placed both hands on his knees.

“If we can’t handle it, we’re not the Kajima Group.”

Representative Noda nodded.

“Excellent attitude.”

Perhaps due to their experiences in the militaristic era, the two men’s actions were somewhat exaggerated.

“Please guide us, Sensei.”

“We must make this project a success to improve relations with the United States. The Prime Minister is also evaluating it positively.”

Japan doesn’t have a president, but a prime minister.

The Prime Minister’s support meant the Japanese government supported the project.

Chairman Kajima Jiro quickly knelt.

“Thank you, Sensei.”

Representative Noda lowered his voice further.

“Give the Prime Minister a proper greeting.”

A proper greeting meant more than just a formal visit.

Political sponsorship.

He wanted this.

“Sensei, is there any doubt?”

Chairman Kajima Jiro was prepared to spend a considerable amount.

‘Mori brought in a good deal.’

As Jeong Hyun-woo’s identity was confirmed, President Mori of Kajima Construction’s position improved, while President Morishita of Morishita Bank, who had been cautious, was now in a difficult position.

* * *

January 5th.

Victoria Fund and Kajima Construction officially signed the investment agreement.

Three days later, the urban regeneration project was officially named the CR Project.

The CR Project focused on buying old houses and buildings in the city center, remodeling them, and reselling or leasing them.

If you only heard the project’s description, it seemed unremarkable. Such projects had been ongoing for years.

However, the CR Project’s scale dwarfed existing urban regeneration projects.

The funds being invested amounted to a staggering 15 billion dollars.

Moreover, this investment was concentrated solely in Japan’s four major cities.

People anticipated that this project would significantly transform the heart of Japan.

Tokyo.

Shinjuku Convention Center.

Reporters from Japan’s leading media outlets filled the interview room.

The person raising his voice on the podium was Kato, an executive director of Kajima Construction.

“This project is centered around railway stations.”

A reporter from Asahi Shimbun raised his hand and asked,

“Are you saying that the buildings to be purchased and renovated will be limited to those in station areas?”

Executive Director Kato cleared his throat and replied,

“I’m not saying it’s limited to station areas, but rather that we’ll expand outward, focusing on station areas.”

“So, the core of this project is the railway.”

“That’s correct.”

Kajima Construction intended to use the media as Jeong Hyun-woo had requested.

This project interview was also conducted along those lines.

“Yomiuri Shimbun here.”

“Please ask your question.”

“Will the 15 billion dollars be distributed equally among the four major cities?”

Executive Director Kato shook his head.

“That’s not the case.”

“Does it depend on the size of the city?”

“Wouldn’t that be inevitable?”

“So, the largest amount of funds will be invested in Tokyo.”

Executive Director Kato smiled and said,

“I won’t deny it.”

Kajima Construction had proposed to Victoria Fund that more than half of the investment be allocated to the Greater Tokyo Area.

After two meetings, Jeong Hyun-woo and John Pierre had accepted their proposal.

“Do you also plan to invest in Chiba or Yokohama?”

“We are considering it to some extent.”

Jeong Hyun-woo was watching Executive Director Kato’s interview from the back of the room.

“He’s eloquent.”

At his words, Sarah tilted her head.

“Are you understanding Japanese?”

“No.”

“Then?”

“I can tell from the reporters’ attitudes.”

Jeong Hyun-woo, being of ordinary Northeast Asian descent, didn’t stand out, but Sarah was different.

Those standing around them glanced at her.

Of course, Sarah didn’t pay much attention. She was already aware that her appearance was significantly different from that of the Japanese.

“Originally, we weren’t supposed to watch the interview, were we?”

At Sarah’s question, Jeong Hyun-woo nodded.

“According to the plan, we should have already arrived in Boston.”

However, due to heavy snow, the flight was delayed, and Jeong Hyun-woo and Sarah were staying in Tokyo for two more days.

“How’s Robert doing?”

“He seems to be struggling.”

“Huh? Robert is struggling?”

“He’s the CTO [Chief Technology Officer], after all.”

Robert didn’t have the authority to make decisions and handle the overwhelming amount of work directly.

“Can’t you just tell him to do it?”

“The other party is uneasy.”

Even if Jeong Hyun-woo gave permission, the other party in the transaction wasn’t comfortable. They wanted documents with the signature of CEO Jeong Hyun-woo or COO Sarah.

“Hmm, is that so?”

Sarah still considered Robert a key member of Victoria Corporation.

However, it seemed that outsiders didn’t see it that way.

“We were supposed to have dinner separately tonight, right?”

Sarah raised the end of her sentence with a sulky expression.

“It’s not a woman, is it?”

Jeong Hyun-woo shrugged and replied,

“It’s an old man.”

“The great-uncle we saw before?”

“No. The Korean government wants to see me.”

Sarah’s eyes widened.

“The Korean government wants to see Charlie?”

“I think they were stimulated by the Japanese media’s reports.”

“Hmm, what kind of stimulation could it be?”

Before answering, Jeong Hyun-woo explained the emotions and conflicts between Korea and Japan.

Sarah had already heard from him that the relationship between Japan and Korea wasn’t good, but this time, the depth was different.

Was it because the location was Japan?

He spent more than five minutes explaining in detail.

“In short, it’s a story about a wealthy Korean deciding to make a large-scale investment in a rival country instead of his home country, and they’re upset about it.”

“That’s roughly it.”

“You’ll have to explain it well.”

Jeong Hyun-woo sighed briefly.

“Just explaining might not be enough.”

Sarah said in a calm voice.

“Charlie, this isn’t the time to save money.”

She was saying that if the Korean government wanted something, he should grant it if possible.

“Is it okay to do that?”

Jeong Hyun-woo thought that if he unilaterally gave in, he would be constantly led around by the Korean government in the future.

“They’re not going to ask for 10 billion dollars.”

10 billion dollars was half of South Korea’s budget in 1986.

Even a military regime couldn’t demand that much money.

“I’ll follow Sarah’s lead.”

After Kajima Construction’s interview ended, Jeong Hyun-woo took a taxi to the meeting place.

‘I hope it’s not a huge demand.’

Between the unexpected meeting with Jeong Min-seok and this, Jeong Hyun-woo couldn’t help but feel how close Japan was to South Korea.

One hour later.

The Okura Hotel in Tokyo.

The Okura Hotel is Japan’s top-class hotel chain and one of the most representative hotels in Japan.

Jeong Hyun-woo met with Han Cheol-in, the Chief Presidential Secretary, and Heo Mun-yeong, the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs.

“Hyun-woo, it’s been a while.”

Jeong Hyun-woo slightly bowed his head at their greetings.

“This is our first meeting this year.”

The two men had taken seats in the hotel restaurant, not in a VIP room or suite.

‘Since it’s a hotel frequented by the Japanese upper class, there’s no need to worry about security.’

As a representative hotel of Japan, the Okura Hotel was quite expensive.

“Since you’ve come all the way to Japan, it’s a shame you’re not visiting your home country.”

Jeong Hyun-woo made an effort to respond to Chief Secretary Han Cheol-in’s words in a gentle voice.

“I came to Japan for work.”

“Isn’t there a saying, ‘killing two birds with one stone’?”

“I’ll visit Korea next time as well.”

He was answering that the next time he came to Japan, he would visit Korea as well.

“I understand. I’ll look forward to it next time.”

The meal came out, and the three men picked up their chopsticks.

“Hyun-woo, you seem taller. Or is it just my imagination?”

It was Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Heo Mun-yeong who asked about Jeong Hyun-woo’s height.

“Well, I don’t know because I haven’t measured my height recently.”

The three men’s conversation started with small talk and gradually delved deeper.

“We have the Asian Games this year. Hyun-woo, can you attend?”

Attending the Asian Games opening ceremony was something he had never considered.

‘They didn’t want to meet for the purpose of requesting investment.’

He put down his chopsticks and replied,

“If my schedule allows, I’ll attend.”

What Chief Secretary Han Cheol-in wanted was a South Korean figure who could stand shoulder to shoulder with presidents and other national leaders.

‘There are also the chairmen of Samjung Group and Daehyun Group, but they aren’t global tycoons yet.’

He wanted Jeong Hyun-woo to attend the Asian Games opening ceremony and enhance South Korea’s national prestige.

“I hope you’ll consider it more seriously.”

“You’re saying that I should attend unless something special comes up.”

“How about scheduling it now?”

Chief Secretary Han Cheol-in seemed to want a definite answer from Jeong Hyun-woo.

Jeong Hyun-woo hesitated for a moment.

‘The time required to visit Korea, even if I keep it short, is at least three days.’

If he were to handle various schedules, he would have to clear his schedule for more than a week.

‘A week…….’

If he were to turn his visit to Korea into a vacation, he would have to take time off from Thanksgiving.

‘That would be difficult.’

After contemplating, he cleared his throat slightly and replied,

“I understand. I’ll put it on my schedule.”

Chief Secretary Han Cheol-in was satisfied with Jeong Hyun-woo’s answer.

“Hyun-woo, thank you.”

The reason Jeong Hyun-woo decided to attend after much deliberation was because of the upcoming Seoul Olympics.

He was planning to use the Olympics to elevate Victoria Corporation to the next level.