The Conglomerate Family Became A Villain [EN]: Chapter 260

260. Tokyo vs. America (4)

Chairman Jung Woo-sun’s will read as follows:

“Instead of giving the majority of Daeun Group’s shares to my youngest son, Jung Min-young, I will allow Jung Hyun-woo to choose three affiliates he desires.”

“I can choose the affiliates I want, but there’s a condition that I have to help my uncle.”

Chief Hong Won-ik didn’t seem surprised, as if he had already seen the will.

“The Chairman said that it would be best if you took over Daeun Group, but he also said that you wouldn’t have the time.”

Jung Hyun-woo sighed briefly.

“Well… Grandfather saw right through the situation.”

Chairman Jung Woo-sun didn’t graduate from college, but a sage’s wisdom has nothing to do with academic background.

‘That’s why knowledge and wisdom must be distinguished.’

The moment you mistake knowledge for wisdom, you’re bound to fall into the swamp of academic elitism.

“The Chairman said that the meaning of ‘helping’ is up to your discretion.”

How much should he help Jung Min-young and Daeun Group?

No, to what extent should he help?

The message was that he would be given autonomy in all of this.

‘Saying to do as I see fit only makes my shoulders heavier.’

Jung Hyun-woo spoke his mind.

“Saying it’s my choice only makes me feel more burdened.”

“The Chairman seems to think there’s no one he can trust but you.”

Among the three sons, the most capable was Jung Hyun-woo’s father, Jung Min-hyuk.

However, Jung Min-hyuk couldn’t succeed Chairman Jung Woo-sun due to an unfortunate accident.

The same went for the second son, Jung Min-seok. He had talent second only to his older brother, but his impatience brought disaster upon himself.

‘All that’s left is the youngest uncle, who hasn’t been verified yet.’

Jung Min-young hadn’t achieved anything significant on his own yet. That’s why Chairman Jung Woo-sun was hesitant to hand over the company to him.

“Should I meet Grandfather and talk to him?”

Chief Hong Won-ik shook his head and replied.

“The Chairman knows you’re busy. That’s why he sent me.”

Chairman Jung Woo-sun sent Chief Hong Won-ik to find out which three affiliates Jung Hyun-woo wanted.

‘I figured Chief Hong wouldn’t come empty-handed.’

He lowered his voice and said,

“It’s a difficult problem.”

“You mean choosing the three affiliates you want?”

“No. Becoming my uncle’s patron is the difficult part.”

Jung Hyun-woo took the talk about helping Daeun Group and Jung Min-young to mean becoming a patron [a wealthy or influential person who supports someone].

“A patron, huh? I guess it could look that way from your perspective.”

Jung Hyun-woo had a personality that saw things through once he took them on. If he were to act as a patron, he couldn’t just stand by and watch Daeun Group collapse or falter.

‘Come to think of it, that’s still there.’

What he had in mind was the foreign exchange crisis.

The 1997 foreign exchange crisis shook all the major corporations in South Korea.

Daeun Group was no exception.

It survived the foreign exchange crisis, but it had to sell off a significant number of affiliates.

“I should accept it for now.”

Chief Hong Won-ik raised his voice slightly.

“For now?”

“If I don’t accept, Grandfather won’t be able to close his eyes in peace.”

Chief Hong Won-ik couldn’t refute his words. If Jung Hyun-woo refused the inheritance, Chairman Jung Woo-sun would certainly wear a grim expression.

“So, you’re saying you’ll help Min-young for the Chairman’s sake?”

Jung Hyun-woo nodded.

“I am who I am now because of Grandfather.”

He had never received any special financial support from Chairman Jung Woo-sun.

However, if he hadn’t been born as the third generation of Daeun Group, he wouldn’t have been able to start a business like this in the United States.

‘Even if I had knowledge of the future, I wouldn’t have been able to stand here if I had been born as a poor farmer’s child, or it would have taken decades even if I did.’

Coding skills were meaningless to a poor farmer’s child who had to worry about meals.

“So, have you thought about which affiliates you want?”

Chief Hong Won-ik had the responsibility of conveying the three affiliates Jung Hyun-woo wanted to Chairman Jung Woo-sun.

“Daeun Trading is my uncle’s company, so I should skip that.”

Chief Hong Won-ik nodded.

“I suppose so.”

“Daeun Construction was my eldest uncle’s company.”

“Are you saying you’ll concede Daeun Construction to Min-seok’s son?”

Even the deceased Jung Min-seok had children.

Chief Hong Won-ik thought that Jung Hyun-woo intended to concede Daeun Construction to Jung Min-seok’s children.

Jung Hyun-woo shook his head at his question.

“I didn’t think that far. And construction is a bit…”

Chief Hong Won-ik frowned.

“Wasn’t your investment in Japan focused on construction?”

“In Japan, it’s not construction but real estate.”

Construction companies in Japan usually also engaged in real estate businesses.

“Well, fine. It’s your choice to take the companies you want. But the core of Daeun Group is trading and construction.”

Chief Hong Won-ik thought that Jung Hyun-woo should take at least one of the valuable assets.

‘Surely he’s not going to give everything to Min-young, is he?’

To Jung Hyun-woo, the richest man in the United States and the richest man in the world, the wealth of Daeun Group might not mean much.

However, if he gave everything to Jung Min-young, no one would be able to keep Jung Min-young in check.

‘The Chairman intends to pass on the affiliates to Hyun-woo partly as a check.’

Soon, Jung Hyun-woo spoke.

“I’ll take Daeun Electronics first.”

Chief Hong Won-ik shook his head.

“Daeun Electronics is already your company. The Chairman told me to exclude Daeun Electronics.”

Jung Hyun-woo sighed briefly.

“Hmm… It’s not easy to choose.”

“This isn’t like you.”

“What am I usually like?”

“More decisive than anyone else.”

Jung Hyun-woo gave a bitter smile.

“So, you’re saying I’m indecisive today.”

Chief Hong Won-ik wanted to hear the main point right away.

“Enough said.”

Jung Hyun-woo leaned forward slightly and raised his voice.

“Could you understand that it’s because of an unexpected turn of events?”

“I’m not saying you have to choose urgently. If you can’t choose today, we can meet tomorrow and talk about it.”

He would listen to the story tomorrow.

This meant it couldn’t be done over the phone.

‘It seems Grandfather gave instructions to get a definite answer.’

Jung Hyun-woo said in a low voice.

“I understand. Let’s choose the first company. I’ll take Daeun Chemical.”

Daeun Chemical was ranked 6th in the industry, which was better than Daeun Electronics.

“Hmm, Daeun Chemical. What’s the reason?”

“Shall I say the future is bright?”

“Daeun Chemical is?”

Jung Hyun-woo shook his head and replied.

“No. I think the chemical industry is bright.”

“Chemicals, huh?”

“Chief, isn’t it light industry followed by heavy industry?”

“That’s true, but…”

Jung Hyun-woo chose Daeun Chemical because of one business that would exist decades later.

‘Daeun Chemical wasn’t the center of Daeun Group, but with the advent of the electric car era, it will develop into the group’s main force.’

Of course, Daeun Chemical wasn’t a company that would dominate the electric car battery market in Korea.

However, its potential was greater than other affiliates.

“The second is Daeun Pharmaceuticals.”

Unlike the first choice, there was no hesitation in the second choice.

Chief Hong Won-ik couldn’t help but pause when he chose the second company without hesitation.

‘Daeun Pharmaceuticals is just starting to make generic drugs.’

He narrowed his brow and raised his voice.

“Hyun-woo, did you choose knowing Daeun Pharmaceuticals’ domestic market share?”

Jung Hyun-woo answered his question.

“No. I didn’t care about the domestic market share.”

“You didn’t care about the domestic market share?”

“I want to grow it into an export company.”

Chief Hong Won-ik nodded as if he understood.

“You want to grow it into an export company. Yes, you could do it.”

Since the richest man in the United States said he would grow it into an export company, he couldn’t argue.

“What’s the last, third company?”

Jung Hyun-woo put a little strength into his voice and replied.

“Daeun Music.”

Chief Hong Won-ik almost got up from his seat.

“Hyun-woo, that company is not it.”

Daeun Music was an affiliate with poor sales and was often on the list of companies to be eliminated.

“Why do you think it’s not?”

“It’s a company that hardly makes any sales.”

“The reason why Daeun Music’s sales are not high is because illegal pirated albums are scattered everywhere, so official albums are not sold.”

In the 1980s, South Korea’s awareness of copyright was not much different from China’s.

Chief Hong Won-ik narrowed his brow after confirming that Jung Hyun-woo knew exactly why Daeun Music was underperforming.

“You know all that, but you’re still going to take Daeun Music?”

Jung Hyun-woo nodded and replied.

“It will be different after the Olympics.”

Chief Hong Won-ik unfolded his narrowed brow.

“It will be different after the Olympics?”

“People’s consciousness… will be greatly different from before.”

After hosting the Olympics, South Korea was different from before in every way.

‘Some people said that the Olympics opened the door to becoming an advanced country.’

Chief Hong Won-ik raised his voice.

“Hyun-woo, are you saying that people will pay money to buy Daeun Music’s albums?”

Jung Hyun-woo took his words in a soft voice.

“There will also be pressure from the United States.”

“Pressure from the United States?”

“It’s time for South Korea to talk about intellectual property rights issues.”

It meant that they could no longer get out of the intellectual property rights issue under the pretext of being a developing country.

“Hmm, pressure from the United States. Even so, you won’t make a great profit from albums.”

Chief Hong Won-ik wanted him to take heavy industry affiliates such as Daeun Precision or Daeun Machinery.

However, Jung Hyun-woo’s judgment was different from his.

“Daeun Music won’t just produce albums.”

Chief Hong Won-ik raised his voice slightly.

“Are you thinking about the movie side?”

In the case of Samjung Group, it had completed preparations to enter the film industry.

“I’m not going to delve into the movie side, but the music side.”

“Delve into?”

“I’m thinking of Daeun Music’s next business as an entertainment agency.”

Jung Hyun-woo wanted to grow Daeun Music into a famous entertainment company.

‘It would be nice if it could be at the forefront of the Korean Wave [Hallyu, the increase of global popularity of South Korean culture], but even if it’s not, it would be good to have at least one agency.’

The affiliates he chose were all companies looking at the future for more than 10 years.

“An entertainment agency? What kind of company is that?”

It seemed that the concept of an entertainment agency did not exist in South Korea in the 1980s.

“It’s a company that trains actors and singers.”

“Train actors and singers? Is it a concept like an academy?”

“Shall I say it’s a slightly more specialized company than an academy? The singers and actors that Daeun Music trains will be active not only in movies and concerts but also on TV.”

It seemed that Hong Won-ik couldn’t picture an entertainment agency.

“It seems like there’s something like that in the United States.”

He just thought that Jung Hyun-woo was trying to introduce the American system to Korea.

“It will be quite profitable in 10 years.”

10 years later.

Hong Won-ik felt that the 10 years he mentioned were far away.

“Hyun-woo, is it difficult to think about it again?”

Jung Hyun-woo had no intention of changing his choice.

“Daeun Chemical, Daeun Pharmaceuticals, and Daeun Music.”

“Even if it’s just Daeun Music, try changing it…”

“Chief.”

Hong Won-ik sighed deeply.

“Hoo… I know you’re stubborn.”

He didn’t think Jung Hyun-woo would change his choice.

‘Tsk, there’s no way Hyun-woo will change his mind. I have to think of something to say to the Chairman.’

Hong Won-ik put his hands on his knees as if he couldn’t help it.

“Okay. I’ll convey your choice to the Chairman.”

Jung Hyun-woo took his words in a bright voice.

“Chief. You’ve come after a long time, so let’s have a meal before you go.”

Hong Won-ik got up from his seat and shook his head.

“The employees are waiting in the city.”

It meant that he would have dinner with the employees today.

“Give the employees freedom since you came to the United States after a long time.”

Overseas business trips were not common for employees of large corporations in the 1980s.

“I want to, but the domestic situation is complicated.”

Jung Hyun-woo paused and raised his voice.

“The domestic situation is complicated?”

“It’s touch-and-go.”

“Wasn’t the conflict between the government and the protesters over?”

“They say it’s not over yet.”

Jung Hyun-woo sighed briefly inside.

‘Hoo… Didn’t the government give up?’

The latest news he heard was that the Blue House [the South Korean presidential residence] had given up on deploying troops.

“What do you think, Chief?”

Hong Won-ik replied while standing.

“I’m a businessman. I don’t know much about politics.”

“In Korea, can’t companies be separated from politics?”

Most developing countries had government-controlled economies.

The same was true of South Korea.

Companies started or stopped businesses according to the government’s influence.

Hong Won-ik answered his question with an unavoidable expression.

“I think the Blue House has only stepped back temporarily because of the Olympics.”

“Are you saying it will be as the Blue House wants?”

Hong Won-ik nodded.

“There are soldiers behind them.”

He didn’t even know that there was a rift in the military’s loyalty.

“I hope nothing bad happens.”

“We all feel the same way.”

Hong Won-ik turned his body.

“I’ll take you there.”

“No. I have a car I came in.”

“Chief?”

“Isn’t Charlie Jung one of the busiest people in the world? I can’t take any more of his time.”

Jung Hyun-woo gave a bitter smile at his answer.

“Sometimes you tease me, Chief.”

Hong Won-ik laughed lightly after hearing that he was teasing him.

“Hehehe, there are times when you’re serious.”

Jung Hyun-woo shrugged and said.

“I’m an ordinary person.”

Ordinary person.

Hong Won-ik never thought so.

‘How can the richest man in the world be an ordinary person?’

The most special person in Korea.

That was Jung Hyun-woo.

3 hours later.

Jung Hyun-woo was watching TV with Sarah when he raised his voice.

“Oh! Today was that day!”

Sarah raised her voice as she watched the South Korean politician appear on the TV screen.

“That day?”

“It’s the day Korea changed.”

“Charlie, Korea is changing? What do you mean?”

The scene Jung Hyun-woo was watching on TV was Chairman Jin Tae-woon of the Olympic Promotion Committee declaring that he would hold a referendum on constitutional amendments for direct presidential elections.

“A little while ago, they announced that they would elect the president by direct vote.”

The exact announcement, as mentioned earlier, was that they would hold a national referendum for constitutional amendments for direct elections.

“Is a direct presidential election that great?”

The United States had an indirect voting system in which the Electoral College elected the president. So, Sarah didn’t know exactly what the word direct election meant.

“Korea can now elect the president they want for the first time.”

Sarah asked with wide eyes.

“So, you’re saying that the people they wanted weren’t elected president until now?”

Jung Hyun-woo nodded and replied.

“Only the people designated by the president could vote.”

“That’s a dictatorship.”

“It was a regime that seized power through a coup [a sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government].”

Sarah asked him.

“Then Charlie can vote this time?”

Jung Hyun-woo replied briefly.

“Probably.”

The 1987 presidential election was scheduled to be Jung Hyun-woo’s first presidential election.