An Investor Who Sees The Future Chapter 149

I’ve had this question for a long ti.

What is the true nature of this ability?

And why did I gain such an ability?

I still have not found the answer to that.

Thanks to Oracle, I was able to save my life and make money. Therefore, I believed that Oracle would lead to the right future.

So, what about Ronald?

Would it truly be better for the future if Ronald, not Diane, beca president?

Ronald raised his glass and said,

“I love Arica more than anyone else. Arica is the land of opportunities.”

Like most Aricans, he was a descendant of immigrants. His grandfather, William Stamper, ca to the Aricas from Ireland, and his grandmother from Scotland.

William Stamper made a fortune in real estate, passing the business down to his son, and that son passed it again to his own son.

Both Ronald and Park Si-hyeong are presidents with entrepreneurial backgrounds, but there is a significant difference.

Park Si-hyeong was a salaried boss, while Ronald is a CEO and owner running a company nad after himself.

Unlike Park Si-hyeong, who started from scratch, Ronald’s success was backed by his privileged upbringing. That said, erecting dozens of luxurious buildings across the country nad ‘Stamper Tower’ was a testant to his capabilities.

He achieved great success in real estate. However, after facing significant failures due to the stock market crash and the real estate recession, he had a few setbacks.

However, as the recession ended and a boom began, the real estate market rebounded, and Stamper Corporation grew rapidly.

He was skilled in show business.

He knew better than anyone how to appeal to the public and attract their interest.

In the 2000s, he entered the broadcasting industry and created ‘The Ronald Show’ nad after himself. Despite various concerns, the TV program featuring Ronald garnered over 20 million viewers, becoming a massive hit.

Other ventures also flourished. Thanks to his fa, the real estate business thrived, and he continued to expand into new areas using the Stamper brand.

He did not stop there, but plunged into politics.

It was not a congressional seat nor a Senate position; it was a presidential election. He, with no political experience, declared his intention to beco president.

At first, everyone laughed. They thought it was just a stunt to gain fa. However, he broke everyone’s expectations and beca the President of the United States.

Ronald put down his glass and looked at .

“I told you I was sure I would beco president, didn’t I?”

“Yes.”

“I have one question I want to ask.”

“What is it?”

Ronald paused for a mont before throwing out his question.

“Do you think I can be a great president?”

With that question, I understood why he called out that late at night.

The Arican workers supported Ronald because they wanted change. In reality, since Ronald beca president, not only the United States but the world has undergone significant changes.

Arica wields trendous power globally and bears corresponding responsibilities. No nation on Earth can escape the influence of the United States, whether in military, economic, or cultural terms.

Ronald thought the sacrifice of Arica for the world was too great. Thus, he advocated for Arica First. Prioritizing Arican interests above all else.

This included demands for increased defense spending for NATO and U.S. troops in South Korea, withdrawal from the Paris Agreent, protectionist trade policies, and anti-immigrant asures, among others.

However, even Aricans had doubts about whether these policies truly served the country.

The White House and Congress were consistently out of sync, and even mainstream Republicans and supporters turned their backs on him, leading to low approval ratings despite being in the early days of his presidency.

Dostically, he faced various scandals including the so-called “Russia Scandal” regarding Russian interference in the U.S. election, and internationally, leaders from Europe and South Arica stood against the U.S.

It was indeed a situation filled with enemies.

Like in business, he pushed passionately and combatively, but controversies kept erupting, and things were not progressing properly.

No matter how you look at Ronald, he can’t help but feel exhausted. Given his age, his stamina is not what it used to be.

Will he succeed in being re-elected as a successful president, or will he be chased out of politics like a failed president?

I thought deeply about this. This is an important issue for as well.

Why Ronald and not Diane?

If Ronald becos a failed president, I cannot escape responsibility either.

The reason Ronald was elected over Diane is that I supported him, and I supported him because I had a vision.

So, did that vision choose Ronald?

If my thinking is correct, there must be a reason that he had to beco president.

“You will be a great president.”

“I see.”

Is it because I heard what I wanted to hear?

Ronald’s expression beca noticeably lighter. He held up a bottle of alcohol.

“Want another drink?”

“Of course.”

***

The Korea-U.S. summit was a significant issue both dostically and internationally.

Despite Park Si-hyeong’s efforts, Ronald clearly stated his intentions regarding the increase in the cost of U.S. troops stationed in Korea and the revision of the Korea-U.S. FTA. This included sensitive issues like the designation of Korea as a currency manipulation monitoring country.

From our country’s perspective, these are all unwelco matters. Even conservative dia outlets published articles declaring it a diplomatic failure for the Park Si-hyeong administration.

President Ronald’s final schedule included a visit to the National Cetery. Prior to that, a breakfast eting with Korean business leaders was planned at the Grand Palace Hotel’s Diamond Hall.

Taek-gyu shook his head and said, “I’m not going.”

“Why not?”

“They say the press will be there, right? I don’t want my face out there.”

While my face was already well-known through press conferences, Taek-gyu’s face was hardly recognized. He even earned the nickna “the reclusive otaku.”

I’m not sure how this differs from being a hikikomori…

Regardless, even the best event is pointless if soone doesn’t want to go.

I respected Taek-gyu’s wishes and notified Ronald’s side in advance about his absence, seeking their understanding.

***

Early in the morning, cars carrying the executives headed towards Namsan one after another. The area around the hall was tightly guarded by security personnel.

A security check similar to those at the airport was conducted.

No attendee, including reporters, was exempt.

After going through the check, I entered the hall. While talking to soone, Chairman Im Jin-yong noticed and approached quickly.

“It’s been a while, junior.”

“Nice to see you, senior.”

I exchanged greetings with him.

Chairman Im introduced the person next to him.

“This is Vice Chairman Jin Dong-min from the Retail Group.”

Then, the man who was just talking to Chairman Im greeted .

“Nice to et you. I’m Jin Dong-min.”

“Hello. I’m Kang Jin-hoo.”

He appeared to be in his late 40s, but he was actually in his early 60s. Perhaps due to his roots as a Korean resident in Japan, his pronunciation was a bit awkward.

After Chairman Jin Kyung-ho collapsed from a stroke, his older brother Jin Dong-soo and younger brother Jin Dong-min disputed the managent rights of the Retail Group.

Ultimately, at the interim shareholders eting, Jin Dong-min, leading Korean Retail, erged victorious and took control of the group. With Chairman Jin Kyung-ho’s return to managent being impossible, despite the title of vice-chairman, he was practically equivalent to the chairman.

As a side note, the Retail Group is known to have a close relationship with President Park Si-hyeong, particularly alongside the Eunsung Motor Group. This connection allowed them to receive various privileges, including duty-free shop licenses and large shopping mall constructions.

Inside the hall, dozens of people had already gathered. Most were elderly, and even the younger attendees were over their 40s.

Chairman Im Jin-yong was among the youngest there. Unsurprisingly, I was the only one in my 20s.

An elderly man with completely white hair and distinct wrinkles on his forehead approached .

“It’s a pleasure to et OTK Company Representative Kang Jin-hoo here. I’m Han Min-goo.”

I had seen him many tis on TV, but this was my first ti eting him in person.

The old man is the chairman leading Eunsung Group, the second largest conglorate.

I grasped the hand he extended.

“I am Kang Jin-ho.”

Chairman Han Ming-koo burst into laughter.

“Haha, we’ve had various connections over the years, and it’s finally great to et you.”

More than connections, it feels like a wretched fate.

I smiled and replied, “Indeed. I’ve really wanted to et you at least once.”

Chairman Han looked at with a curious gaze. He wasn’t very large in stature, but for so reason, I felt a strong sense of pressure from him.

He is a living witness to the history of the Korean economy. His accumulated experience, know-how, connections across various sectors, and social influence are beyond my comparison.

After greeting, I found my pre-arranged seat.

“The President is entering.”

Everyone sitting in the hall stood up in unison. Then President Ronald made his appearance.

Ronald shook hands and exchanged greetings with each of the corporate chairn. Among them was soone he had t during his business days. Back then, it might have been a eting of business leaders, but now it’s a eting between the President and a businessman.

Finally, it was my turn.

The eting the other day was held in secret, so officially this is our first eting after his inauguration.

“It’s great to see you again, Mr. President. I’m Kang Jin-ho from OTK Company.”

“Hello! My friend!”

Ronald took my hand and pulled in for a hug, expressing a strong sense of intimacy.

This is how close I am to the President of the United States.

I hope conservative groups will tone down their protests in front of the OTK Company headquarters after seeing this.

Why do they protest so frequently without permission?

After the greetings concluded, everyone took their seats. Ronald put on earplugs and held the microphone in his hand.

When he spoke, simultaneous interpretation was conveyed through the earplugs. Those who weren’t proficient in English wore earplugs, while the rest simply listened.

Ronald began softly.

“I appreciate the South Korean business leaders gathering here, despite your busy schedules.”

However, as soon as the greeting ended, a stern reprimand followed.

“South Korean companies are achieving trendous success in the United States. Every year, steel, automobiles, ho appliances, and semiconductors produced in Korea are shipped to the U.S., returning with dollars.”

Everyone had expressions like delinquent students summoned to the principal’s office for reprimands. Compared to them, I felt like an exemplary student receiving praise.

Who else invests in the U.S. as diligently as I do?

Ronald’s tone grew increasingly intense.

“Due to the unfair practices of South Korean companies, Arican manufacturing is shutting down, leading to a flood of unemployed workers. Why are you making money in the U.S. market without building factories here and employing Aricans? Why?”

The pressure on investnt in the U.S. ca crashing down like a tsunami.

This so-called economic forum was, in essence, a place to pressure South Korean business leaders to invest in Arica.

It felt like gathering market vendors to extort rent—not exactly a respectable comparison.

But if one is the President of the United States, such behavior is permissible. After all, the international order resembles the world of organized cri, where those in power dictate terms.

Ignoring these demands could obviously lead to disadvantages. Thus, it seed everyone ca prepared to be sowhat extorted.

As Ronald passed the microphone, the executives promptly unveiled the proposals they had prepared.

They promised to build factories in the U.S., increase investnts, hire more staff in R&D centers, and purchase more Arican parts—essentially pledging to do more for Arica in every aspect.

Chairman Im Jin-yong emphasized that Seosung Group is establishing a battery factory in Indiana with OTK Company, declaring that the group would create a fund for investnts in Arican partners.

Just summing up what had been presented, the investnt amounts from South Korean firms to the U.S. were already more than double those from the previous five years.

Although we haven’t signed a contract or established an MOU right now, the people who spoke are the CEOs of large corporations, and the person who heard the words is the President of the United States.

If you’re not considering withdrawing from business in the U.S., you cannot go back on your word once it’s been said.

Only then did Ronald slightly relax his expression and said while clapping his hands,

‘Well then, let’s talk while we eat. This is a treat for you, who are investing in Arica, courtesy of the Arican taxpayers, so please don’t feel burdened and enjoy freely.’

It was a comnt that radiated pressure.

Everyone’s faces were filled with stress. It felt like if one of them choked while eating, no one would even notice.

The soup made from Arican corn and pri-grade steaks made from Arican beef were served one after another.

Everyone was forcing smiles on their faces as they enjoyed the al.

Ronald asked with a smile, ‘This steak is made from cattle raised healthy by Arican farrs. How does it taste?’

What a subtle promotion of Arican beef!

By the way, one of the demands for the revision of the Korea-U.S. FTA includes increasing the import volu of Arican agricultural and livestock products.

The CEOs all praised that it was delicious in unison.

Why can’t everyone just say they prefer Korean beef?