#94 Is everything ready?
"Oppa, um... you know my dad is getting out of prison next month, right? I was hoping he could stay with us..."
She had been watching my expression for a long while before she finally managed to bring it up.
"Do as you see fit. Why are you watching my reaction?"
"Still..."
I playfully tapped the hesitant Cheon Ji-young on the head.
"Ah!"
"It's fine. Do whatever you want. But, I don't want to get involved with your father, Ji-young. You have to understand that."
"I know. Thank you, Oppa."
She must have been agonizing over telling me, as Cheon Ji-young's face showed visible relief. In the end, I decided to leave things with Cheon Su-han at that.
"Do you see your other cousins often?"
Ji-young, who was sipping her drink, shook her head at my words.
"No, we lost contact. To be honest, my family is... like a kite with its string cut. My mother's side, too... But that's not the case for Ji-won oppa and Ji-soo unni."
Grandfather must have been furious about Cheon Su-han's involvement in the slot machine incident, because he used all his power to bring down Cheon Ji-young's maternal family. It was a prime example of how far a politician could fall once their political career was over.
"It's one thing for me, since we weren't on good terms, but shouldn't they be different with you?"
I had a bad taste in my mouth. I had thought they wouldn't be of any help, but hearing that Cheon Ji-won and Cheon Ji-soo had cut off contact with Cheon Ji-young didn't sit well with me.
"Well, we weren't that close to begin with. It's fine. I only need you, Oppa."
What was I to do with this child, smiling so brightly?
"Is there anything you want to do?"
"Um... I do want to be a singer."
"Are you good at singing? Not just anyone can be a singer. Is it just something you want to try?"
"Well, I've never been told I'm a bad singer, but my mom is against it."
"If you need help, just tell me anytime. I'll help you."
"Okay, thanks."
After finishing my conversation with Cheon Ji-young and going up to my room, I mentioned something to Ma Seok-dae.
"Section Chief. I think you can stop pressuring Cheon Su-han now. Please let them know."
"Yes, Boss."
"When is Black Bear coming in?"
"They said they're dispatching employees next month. I heard they've already finished establishing the corporation."
"We need to hire employees in Korea, too."
"Eric said he'll take care of it. Apparently, Korea's special forces are quite well-known among mercenaries."
"I see."
Eva went through some difficulties, but she succeeded in reaching an acquisition agreement with the Peregrine company under good terms. — Boss. What should we do with the bonds tied up here?
"Is there anyone we can entrust to manage Hong Kong?" — Um... there is someone.
"Just maintain the status quo. There's no need to negotiate with the countries we hold bonds in, including Indonesia. We'll be able to collect in full in a few years. We just needed the name Peregrine." — Okay, Boss.
Eva said in a cheerful voice. Then I'll recruit the person who was the head of the risk management team when I worked at HSBC. He might not be great at aggressive investing, but his risk management skills are outstanding.
"When are you coming to Korea?" — Next week.
"What about the real estate purchases?" — I've formed a dedicated team, and we're mainly purchasing buildings whose prices have dropped by more than 50% compared to 1996.
"For Eunmi Apartments, don't worry about the price. Buy up every unit that becomes available." — Got it.
I've already given the order. More large buildings are coming onto the market than expected, so we're still on standby. I reminded Eva, who spoke as if humming.
"When you come to Korea, there will be something we need to put all our effort into. We'll have to use the powerful Mofia members we recruited. Let's talk about the details when you get here."
I hung up the phone with Eva. There were still restrictions on real estate ownership by foreigners, so we couldn't make proper purchases. So, we were using a loophole by establishing a real estate corporation to make purchases indirectly.
Still, the real estate market will be fully opened right after the Kim Hak-kwon administration takes office, so we just have to hold on for a little while. Time passed, and the day of the presidential inauguration arrived. I sat in my room, lost in thought as I watched the presidential inauguration.
The preparatory work to take over the entire Jungwoo Group was already in its final stages. — At a time when the Korean economy has fallen into an unprecedented crisis, I am Kim Hak-kwon, taking office as president... Behind President Kim Hak-kwon, who was giving his inaugural address in front of the National Assembly, I could see Han Gyeong-yeong.
'That hyung is definitely photogenic.' On the right, the former presidents could be seen. It was Kim Hak-kwon who had suddenly agreed to pardon the imprisoned presidents last year for the sake of national unity.
I turned off the TV as they began the car parade after the inauguration ceremony. I picked up the phone and called Prosecutor General Yoon.
"Prosecutor General, I'd like you to strike tomorrow. Is everything ready?" — It's all done.
The Central Investigation Department at the Public Prosecutor's Office will move in right away. The problem is the president's reaction, but for now, I'm planning to make an emergency arrest. We have to catch Chairman Park Dae-ho while he's in the country for the inauguration.
"Yes, that's why we set D-Day for the day after the inauguration. Today, all the newspapers will be focused on the ceremony. The morning papers tomorrow will start raising suspicions. Move in on the Jungwoo headquarters first thing in the morning. The warrant will be issued immediately. I've already finished talking with the court." — As long as the warrant comes out on time, we can move in before any rumors spread.
"We have to finish this before the president can properly exercise his authority to appoint officials. He'll probably watch for a while because of public opinion." — We're getting support from abroad, right?
"There will be foreign capital that will immediately start talking about a hostile takeover of Jungwoo Group's major affiliates." — Alright, let's talk again tomorrow.
"Understood. Once this is properly wrapped up, I'll send you a gift of various seasonal fruits. Please give them to your wife." — Hahaha, my wife will be pleased.
I'm hanging up. As soon as I finished my call with Prosecutor General Yoon, I dialed another number.
"Chief Justice. It's been a while. Are you well?" — Yes, it has been a while.
It was Chief Justice Oh Jeong-seok.
"The matter I spoke to you about last time will likely begin tomorrow. Please contact the courts." — You mean the Jungwoo Group?
"Yes." — I understand.
I'll give the order.
"Thank you. I'll come see you as soon as this is over. Your role is important, Chief Justice. We can't let foreigners take Korea's wealth, can we? In a few years, you'll be remembered as the man who protected Korea's assets." — Hahaha.
I couldn't move Chief Justice Oh Jeong-seok directly, but the former and current judges connected to him would each get a position in the various companies we would acquire, including Jungwoo Group. After ending the call with Chief Justice Oh Jeong-seok, I made one last call to Yoon Hyeong-min, the representative of Yoon & Jang.
"Father-in-law, it's been a while." — It's you, Mu-hyeok.
Is tomorrow finally the day?
"Yes. You've spoken with Mirae Investment, haven't you?" — The retainer fee seems to be quite substantial.
Foreign capital is certainly generous. Yoon Hyeong-min burst out laughing over the phone.
"This is just the beginning. We'll have to proceed with various lawsuits. You just need to support Mirae Investment with all your might." — I understand.
I've already put together a dedicated team. Only the aces of our firm. They're capable of dragging out even losing lawsuits for as long as possible.
"Yes, Father-in-law. Thank you." — Jungwoo Group...
I'm looking forward to it. My call with Representative Yoon Hyeong-min also came to an end. An all-out war had begun, mobilizing every connection I could muster.
It wasn't easy to take over a major conglomerate in the Republic of Korea just by having a lot of money. In my past life, even with all that speculative capital, they ultimately had to be satisfied with acquiring just a few companies. But the Republic of Korea was a country where loopholes worked better than direct methods.
Foreigners probably wouldn't understand. Lone Star, which acquired the Korea Exchange Bank, learned this quickly and hired Koreans to engage in extensive lobbying and bribery. But other hedge funds and investment banks didn't think that way and only attacked Korea with direct methods.
They didn't know Korea, and that was their fatal mistake.
On the morning of the day after President Kim Hak-kwon's inauguration, a search and seizure warrant and an emergency arrest warrant for Chairman Park Dae-ho were issued simultaneously. The Jungwoo Group headquarters in front of Seoul Station was thrown into chaos by people from the prosecution and the National Tax Service.
Chairman Park Dae-ho was unable to react at all and had to be dragged from his home to the Public Prosecutor's Office. An interrogation room at the Public Prosecutor's Office. Chairman Park Dae-ho had come along quietly, but he sat alone with his arms and legs crossed, as if he didn't have a care in the world.
'What is this all of a sudden?' A search and seizure on Jungwoo Group and a tax audit by the National Tax Service at the same time... this was something that couldn't happen without the president's approval. The three major investigative arms of the President of the Republic of Korea.
The prosecution, the National Tax Service, and the Board of Audit and Inspection. 'There's no reason for Kim Hak-kwon to do this to me. Who could it be?'
As Chairman Park Dae-ho was racking his brain, the door to the interrogation room opened. Chairman Park turned his head to look at the door.
"What's this? Some wet-behind-the-ears punk is walking in? You trying to have a battle of wills with me? Forget it, tell the head of the Central Investigation Department to come here."
The person who entered was a young prosecutor he had never seen before. Park Dae-ho frowned and yelled, but the young prosecutor sat down in front of Chairman Park Dae-ho without any change in his expression.
"What, can't you hear me?"
"The department head is busy. I am in charge of your case, Chairman. It's a pleasure to meet you, I'm Oh Hyeon-woo."
Oh Hyeon-woo smiled at Chairman Park Dae-ho and greeted him.
"How long have you been a prosecutor? You look like a total rookie."
Despite Chairman Park Dae-ho's continued disrespect and condescension, Oh Hyeon-woo continued speaking with a smile.
"Chairman Park Dae-ho, you are currently suspected of accounting fraud and embezzlement, fraudulent loans through accounting fraud, creation of slush funds, and violation of the Foreign Exchange Control Act."
"What? What are you talking about?"
"Phew, Chairman Jang of Hyeonbo Group was a gentleman compared to this. We also learned for the first time during our investigation just how insolvent the great Jungwoo Group is."
While Oh Hyeon-woo spoke playfully, Chairman Park Dae-ho's mind was racing. 'It seems like they came at me with a clear purpose. Is this Kim Hak-kwon trying to destroy me?'
Oh Hyeon-woo turned on the Ilseong Electronics laptop in front of him and prepared for the interrogation.
"Your name is Park Dae-ho, correct?"
Pulled from his thoughts by Oh Hyeon-woo's question, Park Dae-ho glared at him with a murderous look.
"Cut it out, will you? Call my lawyer first. Can I use the phone?"
"The Jungwoo Group's legal team is probably in a frenzy right now. The problem isn't just you, Chairman. A tax audit has been launched on all affiliates, including Jungwoo Corporation, and investigators from the prosecution have been dispatched."
"...Contact Yoon & Jang."
"One moment."
Oh Hyeon-woo took out his phone and called Yoon Hyeong-min.
"Yes, this is Oh Hyeon-woo. Father-in-law, Chairman Park Dae-ho is asking to contact Yoon & Jang. I'll put him on."
Oh Hyeon-woo nonchalantly handed the phone to Chairman Park Dae-ho.
"This is Lawyer Yoon Hyeong-min, the representative lawyer of Yoon & Jang. You can speak with him now."
At Oh Hyeon-woo's words, Chairman Park Dae-ho snatched the phone and immediately spoke into it.
"Hello, Lawyer Yoon. This is Park Dae-ho of Jungwoo. Have you been well?" — My goodness, Chairman Park Dae-ho.
It's been a long time. But what's the matter? Are you with the prosecution?
"Yes, this is urgent, so I need your help. I'll pay you a hefty retainer." — Hmm...
"Listen, Lawyer Yoon. At this rate, the country will be ruined. Everyone's out of their minds." — I'm sorry, Chairman.
We're currently handling a case, and representing you would create a conflict of interest. I don't think we'll be able to help you. Chairman Park Dae-ho seemed to be in great shock at Lawyer Yoon Hyeong-min's words, and he remained silent for a long while. — I'm sorry, Chairman.
I'll contact you next time.
"Listen, Lawyer Yoon..."
The call was disconnected. A look of dejection was visible on Chairman Park Dae-ho's face.
"Are you finished with your call?"
Oh Hyeon-woo took back the phone with a grin. Park Dae-ho glared at him as if he could kill him.
"You... You know what this is about, don't you? Who is it? Who targeted me?"
"What would a fledgling prosecutor like me know? Would you like to wait for your group's legal team, Chairman?"
Looking at Oh Hyeon-woo, who paid him no mind, Chairman Park Dae-ho gradually began to realize that he wouldn't be able to get out of this place easily.
— Oh, Mu-hyeok. The Jungwoo Group's legal team just rushed over.
"Hyeon-woo, you've decided to take the case, right?" — It wasn't my kind of case, but an order suddenly came from above.
I was wondering what was going on, but I didn't know you were behind it, Mu-hyeok.
"Do it right. It'll be a huge boost to your career. Make sure you get him. Don't ever let him get away." — Okay, I'll keep in touch.
"Yeah, when it's over, let's get all the friends together for a drink. It's been a while."
After hanging up with Oh Hyeon-woo, I looked at Eva, who was in front of me, and said.
"Start immediately."
"Okay, Boss."
Eva got up from her seat and started making a call.
That evening.
Mirae Investment's announcement of a hostile takeover of Jungwoo Group's major affiliates dominated the evening newspapers as well as the top stories on broadcast news. It was the first time this had happened since the IMF crisis, and it was targeting one of the country's top conglomerates. The Republic of Korea was shaken to its core.
Is everything ready?
End