The Conglomerate Family Became A Villain [EN]: Chapter 218

218. The Miracle on the Han River (2)

Jeong Hyun-woo’s donation wasn’t used for the already completed stadium and athletes’ village accommodations. Instead, the money was allocated to shelters for volunteers, event operation costs, and advertising to promote the Games.

Even after all that, the remaining money was set aside for the 1988 Olympics.

“Just execute it as planned.”

John Pierre nodded. “Understood. I’ll transfer the funds immediately.”

The transfer was made through Citibank, an American bank operating in Korea.

Citibank was one of Victoria Corporation’s partners, so there were no issues.

Kim Hak-soo, a team leader from the National Security Planning Agency (NSPA) [South Korea’s intelligence agency, similar to the CIA], was chosen to work with Jeong Hyun-woo on the money handling.

After confirming the amount, Kim Hak-soo rushed to Jeong Hyun-woo.

“Chairman, the transfer was confirmed today. We’ll withdraw the funds to be taken to Japan in cash, and the rest will be transferred to a Korean account.”

Korean Citibank employees knew that Kim Hak-soo and his team were from the Asian Games Organizing Committee, so they proceeded smoothly without any issues.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Jeong Hyun-woo gave Kim Hak-soo a small gift.

Kim Hak-soo took the gift hesitantly.

“Th, this kind of thing…”

Jeong Hyun-woo slightly raised his tone. “It’s a token of my appreciation.”

Kim Hak-soo was upright, but he didn’t refuse, not wanting to displease someone like Jeong Hyun-woo.

‘If I refuse, it will make even the higher-ups uncomfortable.’ He already knew that Kim Tae-joon, the head of the NSPA, wasn’t one to refuse such things.

Kim Hak-soo bowed slightly. “Thank you.”

Jeong Hyun-woo accepted his greeting and spoke gently. “Team Leader Kim, it seems you don’t usually accept gifts.”

Kim Hak-soo nodded. “It’s not that I dream of being an incorruptible official. It’s just because I’ve been in the overseas team for a long time.”

When working overseas, one had to protect oneself. Therefore, agents operating overseas didn’t accept unexpected gifts or bribes.

“How many years have you been overseas?”

“A little over five years.”

During the Cold War, the overseas team had many dangerous missions, so it was rare for someone to work for decades.

Five years wasn’t a short time.

‘It wouldn’t be accurate to say he crossed the line between life and death, but in five years, he must have handled several dangerous missions at least.’ Jeong Hyun-woo could tell he had a lot of experience abroad.

Kim Hak-soo bowed deeply to say goodbye. “Chairman Jeong, I’ll see you again tomorrow.”

He was planning to bring the dollars tomorrow.

Jeong Hyun-woo asked as he was about to leave, “Team Leader Kim, how about we meet at the airport?”

Kim Hak-soo paused and asked, “Are you saying you want us to keep the money?”

“Isn’t the National Security Planning Agency the safest place in Korea?”

He meant that the NSPA’s vault was more trustworthy than a hotel safe.

This wasn’t an exaggeration.

Even if a hotel safe was robbed, no thief would dare to rob the NSPA’s vault.

In the unlikely event of being caught, the former would be imprisoned as a thief, but the latter could be processed as missing without even a trial.

“Understood. Then we’ll send it to Japan for you.”

Kim Hak-soo had received instructions from his superiors to accommodate Jeong Hyun-woo as much as possible.

He left the Hyatt Hotel and joined his team members who were waiting.

“Did you have a good meeting?”

Kim Hak-soo sighed briefly at his team member’s greeting. “Meeting Chairman Jeong always makes me sweat.”

“Even though he’s just a kid?”

“A kid? Watch your words.”

The team member scratched his head at his reprimand. “I’m sorry.”

Kim Hak-soo said to the team member in the driver’s seat in a low voice, “Let’s go back.”

“I’ll turn the car around.”

While the team member in the driver’s seat started the engine, the team member who had been reprimanded asked Kim Hak-soo, “But Team Leader, why did Chairman Jeong entrust this task to us?”

“Because we’re the overseas team.”

“No, I mean, if he’s an American tycoon, wouldn’t he launder money through Swiss or Panamanian banks?”

Normally, Jeong Hyun-woo would have moved the money without going through events like the Asian Games.

But this time, the famous U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) was watching.

Kim Hak-soo didn’t know about these circumstances, so he vaguely explained, “Chairman Jeong is Korean.”

The team member’s eyes widened. “Yes?”

“Didn’t you know?”

“I didn’t know. I thought he was Korean-American.”

“Tsk, you should have carefully reviewed the personnel files. If you work so carelessly, you could get into big trouble when you go overseas.”

The team member was reprimanded again. “I’ll be careful.”

Among Koreans, many thought Jeong Hyun-woo’s nationality was American, not Korean.

“Of course, someone like Chairman Jeong can change his nationality to American at any time. But he didn’t.”

“Is it because of patriotism?”

“Well, I don’t know about that.”

The Blue House [South Korean presidential residence] and the NSPA didn’t want Jeong Hyun-woo to abandon his Korean nationality.

‘Is the upper management lobbying for something?’ If not lobbying, it could be blackmail, but government blackmail wouldn’t work on Jeong Hyun-woo.

‘How can you blackmail a tycoon connected to the U.S. government?’ As of 1986, Jeong Hyun-woo was a figure standing above the sky in Korea.

* * *

“How was it?”

The person Jeong Hyun-woo asked was Choi Kyung-min, who had accompanied him for about half a day.

“Are you talking about your impression of Chairman Shin?”

Jeong Hyun-woo shook his head and changed the question. “I’m talking about today’s escort.”

“I was just following you, young master.”

The actual escort was done by Luna and Victoria Corporation employees, not him.

“Was it uncomfortable?”

“It was not uncomfortable.”

“Next is Daewoon Construction.”

Choi Kyung-min raised his eyebrows. “Are you really going to Daewoon Construction?”

Daewoon Construction’s President Jeong Min-seok was like an enemy to Jeong Hyun-woo. Choi Kyung-min didn’t know the information Jeong Hyun-woo had obtained from the CIA, but he knew they were in conflict.

“Is it not allowed?”

“That’s…”

“Isn’t he my great-uncle?” I’m just meeting my great-uncle, Jeong Hyun-woo was saying.

“You’ve changed, young master.”

“I’ve changed?”

“You didn’t have this much余裕 [leeway/composure] before.”

He had more 余裕 than before. Jeong Hyun-woo didn’t deny this.

‘I guess you could say I have more 余裕 as I have more money and power.’ He turned his gaze out the window. “Secretary Choi, you need to change too.”

Choi Kyung-min bowed his head. “I will try.”

Jeong Hyun-woo knew he was a hard worker.

‘Secretary Choi is the type to handle given tasks neatly. But his ability to handle problems on his own is lacking.’ To become a top executive, you need the ability to handle things independently.

‘Would CEO be too much?’ Jeong Hyun-woo thought he was somewhere between Robert and John River.

‘If possible, I wish he were closer to Robert.’ He wanted an alter ego to replace him in Korea.

30 minutes later.

Jeong Hyun-woo and his party arrived at a luxury hotel in Sogong-dong. As soon as they entered, the hotel manager rushed over and bowed.

“He’s waiting in the Presidential Suite.”

Jeong Hyun-woo nodded lightly and headed to the Presidential Suite via the private elevator.

The Presidential Suite was a suite where foreign heads of state who visited Korea stayed, equipped with facilities for small banquets and large-scale meetings.

Ding.

The elevator doors opened with a short chime.

“We will guide you.”

Waiting in front of the Presidential Suite were hotel employees again.

They were quite attentive to serving Jeong Hyun-woo, a VIP.

Jeong Hyun-woo moved along with the employees, thinking, ‘It seems the hotel has prepared well.’ If information had leaked during the preparation, reporters would have flocked to take his picture.

‘Perhaps the National Security Planning Agency intervened.’ The NSPA may have issued a press guideline to each media outlet not to cover Jeong Hyun-woo’s movements.

‘Hmm, that might be more credible.’ While he was thinking, he arrived at the entrance of the Presidential Suite.

Click.

The two hotel employees opened the doors on both sides and bowed. “He is waiting inside.”

Jeong Hyun-woo entered with his entourage, including Luna.

Jeong Min-seok, who was waiting inside, was slightly surprised to see Jeong Hyun-woo leading a large entourage.

‘This isn’t an official meeting…’

Jeong Hyun-woo looked at him and bowed slightly. “Hello.”

This was a greeting to his great-uncle.

Jeong Min-seok relaxed. “Seeing you again since January.”

He was a second-generation chaebol [family-owned conglomerate], but it was his first time having a meeting in the Presidential Suite, not a regular suite.

As Jeong Hyun-woo sat down, his entourage lined up behind him.

This meant they wouldn’t participate in the meeting.

“Can’t we talk alone?”

Jeong Hyun-woo sighed briefly. “These are my company’s people. They have nothing to do with the Daewoon Group.”

He was saying there was no need to worry about information leaking since they weren’t Daewoon Group people.

However, Jeong Min-seok was uncomfortable with them just standing there.

“I’m a little bothered by it.”

Jeong Hyun-woo turned his head as if he couldn’t help it. “Everyone, please wait outside.”

At his command, the entourage left the conference room.

“Is that okay now?” Jeong Hyun-woo asked, and Jeong Min-seok replied, “It’s okay.”

Jeong Min-seok looked slightly intimidated. “Shall we talk about business now?”

Jeong Min-seok was the one who wanted to ask for a favor. He slowly nodded as Jeong Hyun-woo got to the point. “Let’s do that.”

“How much money do you need?”

Jeong Min-seok sighed briefly. “The amount I need has increased a bit.”

Jeong Hyun-woo already knew Daewoon Group’s finances were tight.

‘It seems the situation has worsened since two weeks ago.’ He said calmly, “Tell me how much you need.”

A gaze looking down from above.

Jeong Min-seok didn’t like Jeong Hyun-woo’s gaze, but today he was in a weaker position.

‘Tch, I can’t help it.’ He calmed his rising emotions and told him the amount he wanted. “I need 3 million dollars.”

Jeong Hyun-woo coldly rejected his request. “That’s difficult.”

Jeong Min-seok raised his eyebrows. “Difficult?”

“I don’t have that much cash I brought from the United States.”

“Can’t you transfer the money?”

“My company is a listed company. When investing in other companies, we have to go through the board of directors, at least the executive meeting. Which executive would like it if I said I was investing in Daewoon Construction?”

American companies are different from Korean chaebols.

Jeong Min-seok nodded. “I understand.”

Jeong Hyun-woo said dryly, “I have about 2 million dollars in cash that I brought.”

Jeong Min-seok and Daewoon Construction were desperate for cash.

‘I have to get at least 2 million dollars for now.’ He was going to borrow the 부족한 [missing/lacking] money from his in-laws or other places.

“I understand. Then let’s do 2 million dollars.”

Jeong Hyun-woo slightly raised his tone. “There is one condition.”

Jeong Min-seok didn’t think Jeong Hyun-woo would give him money without any conditions.

‘Okay, a deal has to come in here.’ He nodded. “What condition?”

Jeong Min-seok thought it would be a condition related to Daewoon Construction’s stock or the group’s future.

But Jeong Hyun-woo’s condition was completely different. “I want to know why Daewoon Construction is in trouble.”

Jeong Min-seok raised his eyebrows. “What?”

“If I know the specific reason, I’ll give you the money.”

The condition was easy and difficult.

‘Are you saying I can get money with just a few words?’ But those few words were revealing Daewoon Construction’s flaws.

‘But I have no choice.’ If he refused 2 million dollars, Daewoon Construction would have no choice but to turn to its main 거래 [transaction] bank, Hongik Bank. And if he borrowed money from the main 거래 bank, the situation would be heard by his father, Chairman Jeong Woo-sun.

“The Southeast Asian business has become a little difficult.”

Jeong Hyun-woo slightly raised his tone. “Is that all?”

“That’s all.”

“I would like to hear more specifically?” He wanted to hear which business was difficult and how.

“The buildings we won in Malaysia and Indonesia are the problem.”

Jeong Hyun-woo nodded a couple of times. “It’s not 후불 [payment after completion], and the dollar payments are being delayed?”

“It’s something similar to that. I think it’s enough to talk about it this far.”

Jeong Min-seok drew a line, and Jeong Hyun-woo accepted it. “Understood. I’ll deposit 2 million dollars. Please leave your account number.”

“Account?”

“I can’t give it to you in cash, can I?” He was saying he wasn’t just lending it, but buying corporate bonds, so he had to leave a transaction record.

“I understand. Where should I send the bonds?”

Jeong Hyun-woo raised his voice. “Secretary Choi.”

At his shout, Choi Kyung-min came in. “Young master, did you call me?”

Jeong Hyun-woo pointed to Choi Kyung-min. “Give the bonds to this friend as soon as they’re ready.”

Jeong Min-seok thought Choi Kyung-min looked familiar. “This friend is…”

“He’s at Daewoon Electronics. Let’s just say he’s my man for now.”

Jeong Hyun-woo turned to Choi Kyung-min. “Put your business card on the table.”

Choi Kyung-min put his business card on the table as instructed. “You can leave now.”

Choi Kyung-min bowed deeply and left.

Jeong Min-seok watched Choi Kyung-min’s back. “You’ve planted people in the Daewoon Group too.”

“I’m thinking of Daewoon Electronics at least.”

Daewoon Electronics was a company that Jeong Hyun-woo’s father, Jeong Min-hyuk, cherished, but it wasn’t an important affiliate.

“You’re surprisingly modest.”

Jeong Hyun-woo received the words calmly. “I’m thinking of it as my father’s legacy.”

Jeong Min-seok thought he could give up Daewoon Electronics.

He handed over a note with the account number and said, “Can I go back and wait now?”

“I’ll deposit it within 2 hours.”

2 hours. In the 2020s, money was exchanged in real-time, but in 1986, it was difficult.

Jeong Min-seok thought 2 hours was 괜찮다 [okay/acceptable]. “I understand. I’ll go back and wait.”

He got up from his seat.

After Jeong Min-seok left, Luna, Choi Kyung-min, and the rest of the entourage came in.

“Did you handle the work well?” Jeong Hyun-woo nodded at Luna’s question. “I handled it so-so.”

He handed Luna the note with the Daewoon Construction account number. “Go to Citibank and transfer 2 million dollars.”

Luna bowed lightly. “Understood.” She left with the accounting team employee.

All that was left was the security personnel, Choi Kyung-min, and one Victoria Corporation secretarial staff member.

“How did he look?”

Choi Kyung-min answered, “He looked nervous.”

Jeong Hyun-woo nodded slowly. “He’s just nervous now, but next time he’ll be in pain.”

He didn’t give 2 million dollars to help Jeong Min-seok.