Chapter 539: We Need a Strong President

Finally, I received a call from Seo Hyung-jun. I summoned him to my office in Myeong-dong.

"Have you made a decision?"

Seo Hyung-jun nodded gravely as he replied.

"Yes. I'm going to China."

"Good choice. In time, this decision will bring you great benefits, Seo Hyung-jun."

"Thank you. But what will I need to do once I get there?"

"A company will be established soon. Once it's set up, you'll be appointed as the president and can start working. As we discussed earlier, initially, you'll be involved in the multiplex business."

Seo Hyung-jun's expression subtly shifted.

"It's clear this isn't something that will wrap up in a few years. But that business is something I won't be deeply involved in directly."

"That's true. However, I'd like you to utilize your connections to help export Korean films and dramas to China at the same time."

Just then, a knock interrupted our conversation. Upon my invitation, the door swung open.

"Boss, Director Kim Hyun-jung has arrived."

"Already? Let him in."

Manager Ma stepped aside, and Kim Hyun-jung entered.

"Hello, President Kim Mu-hyeok."

Kim Hyun-jung greeted me with a bright smile.

"Yes, welcome."

"Oh? Seo Hyung-jun, you're here too? Hello! It's been a while."

"Yes, it has been a while. But I'm curious, what brings you here, Kim Hyun-jung…?"

Seo Hyung-jun asked, his face a mix of confusion. She merely smiled in response.

"I'll explain everything bit by bit. For now, please have a seat, Director Kim Hyun-jung."

"Of course, sir."

Kim Hyun-jung and Seo Hyung-jun sat facing each other.

"Seo Hyung-jun and Director Kim Hyun-jung will be heading to China together. If Seo Hyung-jun had declined, we would have sent just Kim Hyun-jung today. But since you've decided to go, both of you will go to China together today."

Seo Hyung-jun, who had been listening quietly, asked with a bewildered expression.

"Are you saying I'll be going with Kim Hyun-jung?"

"Yes. Kim Hyun-jung will oversee management. As for you, Seo Hyung-jun, you'll be building multiplex theaters while simultaneously distributing Korean dramas and films in China. You are free to invest in Korean or American films as well. Your responsibilities are entirely different, and they will remain so."

Only then did Seo Hyung-jun nod in understanding.

"Once the new company is established, you, Seo Hyung-jun, will serve as its president, while the vice president will likely be appointed by the Chinese side. Director Kim Hyun-jung will head the management department there. Everything will be explained in detail by someone named Hao Xun, who will be working on-site."

Kim Hyun-jung, who had been quietly listening, suddenly interjected with a question.

"Sir, is it alright if we bring someone from Korea?"

I nodded. It would be easier to work with someone familiar.

"If you want to bring someone, go ahead. The company will arrange housing and any other necessary items for you."

I glanced back and forth between Seo Hyung-jun and Kim Hyun-jung as I spoke.

"As I mentioned earlier, the fields you're both working in are different. Please stay in your own lanes and focus only on your tasks. If you do so, there will be great rewards for both of you. In China, aligning with the right powers can bring unimaginable returns. I trust you both to do well."

This was an opportunity that wouldn't come around again for Seo Hyung-jun and Kim Hyun-jung.

Seo Hyung-jun might return in glory, overcoming familial constraints, and Kim Hyun-jung had the chance to play in a larger market.

As if they understood this, both Seo Hyung-jun and Kim Hyun-jung wore solemn expressions.

"You both speak Chinese, right?"

Both nodded simultaneously.

"Alright then, let's call the person responsible on the Chinese side to discuss things."

I pressed the bell next to me, and Manager Ma came in immediately.

"Manager, please contact Hao Xun."

As Manager Ma quickly dialed, he connected without delay. I took the phone from him and began to speak.

"Hao Xun."

― "Yes, President Kim Mu-hyeok."

"I've roughly selected the individuals we'll be sending from Korea to China. One is President Seo Hyung-jun from JC Entertainment, and the other is someone from the Heavenly Group overseeing entertainment business. Please go ahead and talk."

I handed the phone to Seo Hyung-jun first. He swallowed nervously before accepting it from me.

"Hello! This is Seo Hyung-jun."

Starting with a nervous greeting, the two began to converse. I turned my gaze towards Kim Hyun-jung.

"Have you wrapped things up with the Heavenly Group?"

"Yes. I've handed everything over to my successor. The people I'm bringing will submit their resignations alongside me."

Impressed with his swift and decisive handling, I nodded in satisfaction. Kim Hyun-jung's face brightened naturally at the good news.

"Excellent. Then prepare to move right away and get set to go."

"I understand."

"What did Chairman Yoo say?"

"He said to treat this as the last chance and work diligently. He also warned me to avoid mistakes at all costs."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. He emphasized that such opportunities won't come again and to hold onto the connections firmly. He also mentioned that if I made a mistake, I would face abandonment."

The cheerful expressions faded as Kim Hyun-jung glanced at me for insight.

It seemed Yoo Sung-jin had conveyed his message quite sternly.

"Don't be too nervous. More importantly, China is different from Korea. There's still a significant amount of discrimination against women."

"I know that. I've had some dealings in China before."

"Of course, conditions now are different from back then. Still, if you don't have something to show, you'll inevitably be sidelined. If you have ability and the right backing, establishing a foothold in China shouldn't be too difficult."

"I'll give it my best shot."

After Seo Hyung-jun finished his call, he passed the phone to Kim Hyun-jung.

"Hello, this is Kim Hyun-jung."

As soon as she picked up, her professional tone surfaced immediately.

Watching her change her demeanor made me smile.

I then turned to Seo Hyung-jun and asked.

"What did he say?"

"He asked me to come in as soon as possible to take charge of the company's establishment. Everything is ready to go. He said I should oversee everything from selecting the site for the building to managing all the details myself."

I nodded. It would be best to put on a good show for someone who will take the president's chair.

"Hao Xun will likely know quite a bit about that industry since he's quite a figure in the Chinese underworld. The legitimate side will be handled by the Chinese Communist Party, while the illegal aspects will be taken care of by Hao Xun's organization. Make sure to communicate with him throughout the process whenever you hit a snag."

"…the underworld?"

Seo Hyung-jun asked, looking puzzled.

"Yes. While we know it as the Triad here, on the mainland, it's referred to as the underworld. Unlike Korea, these organizations hold significant influence in both politics and economics. So don't look down on them; collaborate with them to get things done. They're not necessarily bad people if you get to know them."

"Ah, understood."

"Well, up until recently, gangs were rampant in our country too, right? Most have stepped back now, though."

Seo Hyung-jun seemed to accept this, nodding obediently.

Meanwhile, Kim Hyun-jung, having finished her call, handed the phone back to me.

"Sir, they want to speak with you for a moment."

As I received the phone, Hao Xun spoke first.

― "President Kim Mu-hyeok, thank you for your efforts."

"No need for thanks. I've done what I can. They're capable people, so if you coordinate well, everything should go smoothly. Now, it all rests on you, Hao Xun—how well you perform will determine the success of the business."

― "Absolutely. I won't let you down."

"Let's stay in touch for next time."

After the call wrapped up, I looked at the two sitting up straight in front of me and smiled warmly.

"I believe we've covered everything, so let's head out for a meal. It'll help both of you to get acquainted."

Time flew swiftly.

The joint military exercises between the U.S. and Korea commenced in the West Sea, and North Korea responded vehemently against both nations.

This specific training included an unprecedented deployment of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, F-22 fighters, and B-2 bombers capable of carrying dozens of nuclear weapons.

It was the first appearance of a B-2 bomber over the Korean Peninsula.

This underscored the significant effort the U.S. was putting into this military exercise.

One B-2 bomber was as costly as North Korea's entire annual budget, not to mention the immense maintenance and operational costs.

Due to its outstanding performance and perfect stealth capabilities, it was regarded as the U.S.'s ultimate weapon.

Kim Jong-il was unable to ignore this. North Korea unusually reacted strongly to the unexpected emergence of the B-2 bomber, which could bomb anywhere in Pyongyang without being detected.

― "The recent North-South joint military exercise is a blatant provocation that pushes the situation on the Korean Peninsula to extremes."

The recent provocations by the southern military and the U.S. have thrown the Korean Peninsula into an unpredictable abyss of tragedy.

"Particularly, the South Korean government has succumbed to the threats and actions against their own people."

Seoul isn't far off from this. If war breaks out because of this, our nuclear arsenal will be unleashed over the skies of Seoul.

"The entire responsibility for this will be on the South Korean government—make that clear."

For the first time, they publicly announced their intent to use nuclear weapons in a statement.

This was a far more extreme stance than the previous 1994 declarations about turning Seoul into a sea of flames.

Both domestic and international media highlighted this announcement, filling the Korean Peninsula with the fear of war.

People began hoarding emergency food supplies, and the Korean stock market crashed.

In response, Yoon Chang-ho issued a statement to the citizens.

― "Dear citizens. This is President Yoon Chang-ho of the Republic of Korea."

"…Right now, Korea is great. And we will never back down."

"If we yield to North Korean provocations even once, there will be no end to it."

"As President, I will use all means at my disposal to respond to their provocations, and I will take full responsibility for those actions."

"Trust in our government and continue with your daily lives."

"We will do our utmost to prevent war."

Yoon Chang-ho delivered the statement with a resolute and determined expression, presenting for ten minutes a speech he had prepared.

He then hurriedly left the podium without taking any questions from reporters.

"Hmm."

As expected, things were escalating to a head-on confrontation. I switched off the TV and sank deep into the sofa.

"A war probably won't break out, but…"

It was uncertain what kind of provocation North Korea might launch next.

At that moment, it wasn't my phone that rang, but the landline. Manager Ma, standing nearby, answered it.

"Pyeongchang-dong."

― "This is the Blue House. The President wishes to speak with President Kim Mu-hyeok."

I could hear the secretary's voice through the receiver, which I had deliberately turned up in volume.

Manager Ma looked over at me. I nodded slightly and extended my hand.

"Yes, this is Kim Mu-hyeok."

― "Ah, please hold on for a moment."

Moments later, Yoon Chang-ho's voice came through the receiver.

His tone was stiff and serious.

― "Mr. Kim."

"Yes, Mr. President."

― "Did you see the speech?"

"Of course. Well done. The citizens will support you, President. Right now, we need a strong leader, not one who is dragged around by North Korea."

― "Is that so? Most opposed this announcement, but I pressed on. We need to adopt a somewhat conciliatory approach to prevent war. However, we cannot halt the joint U.S.-South Korea exercise. We mustn't even try."

"I agree. Your judgment is correct, Mr. President."

The U.S. was determined. If we had opposed them, they might have pressed on regardless on their terms or conducted exercises with Japan's Self-Defense Forces.

Such a decision would do nothing to benefit our national interests.

― "I'm glad to hear you say that."

Yoon Chang-ho let out a long sigh. It seemed the mental toll on him was quite heavy.

"Ultimately, all decisions lie with you, and you alone bear the responsibility for those decisions. So please, do as you see fit."

― "I understand. That's the nature of this position."

Yoon Chang-ho agreed, his voice weak. But he surely didn't call just to vent during such a chaotic time.

I carefully waited for an opening to steer him toward the main issue.

"So what was the reason for your call?"

― "Ah! I'll be visiting the U.S. next week."

"Yes. I'm aware."

― "During that time, I would like you to accompany me."

"Me? I've already settled what I can do."

A brief silence came through the receiver. Soon, Yoon Chang-ho spoke again.

― "No. Even if everything has been coordinated, international politics is unpredictable. I need you to be in the U.S. alongside me, even if we're not moving together."

"I'll check my schedule and get back to you."

― "Thank you. I would appreciate it if you could join me. Anyway, I'll hang up now. The National Security Conference is about to start."

With that, Yoon Chang-ho ended the call. I stared at the phone for a while as the dial tone rang, before turning to Manager Ma.

"Manager, do we have any special engagements next week?"

"No, Boss. We have no appointments."

"Then let's go to the U.S. when President Yoon Chang-ho visits next week. He seems quite uneasy."

"Understood. I will make the necessary preparations."