I entered the eting room without knowing the results.
The mont I opened the door, applause erupted.
From the way President Woo Sung-il spread his arms and perford a ceremony, I could guess the outco.
"We will appoint Director Kim Min-jae as vice chairman. Since 90% of the presidents approved, please accept it humbly."
My grandfather patted my shoulder as he spoke.
But 90% approval? That was beyond my expectations.
I had thought there would be quite a few factions opposing , but apparently not.
Or perhaps due to poor communication, the vote was made by individuals rather than along faction lines.
Yet 90% ans about three people voted no.
Without realizing it, I turned my head toward the presidents and saw three with awkward smiles.
Taewoo Construction's President Jang Soo-young and his right-hand man, Taewoo Engineering's President Park Hyuk-soo.
I didn't need to check the details to know they were the ones who voted no.
Jang Soo-young commanded a sizable faction.
However, with this vote, his faction was effectively eliminated.
I looked straight at them and thought about what to say for my appointnt speech.
How should I start?
Should I express humility since I beca vice chairman in my twenties?
After a brief pause, I spoke my first words.
"Taewoo Group is a frog in a well. Even if we rank first in Korea's business world, it's difficult to break into the top 100 globally. To break down the thick walls of the world, every employee of Taewoo Group must move as one."
In other words, I was saying don't fight over factions.
Put more subtly, I was telling everyone to co under my leadership on their own.
Because I specifically looked at President Jang Soo-young, who voted no, when I spoke, my intent must have been clearly conveyed to everyone.
"To survive on the global stage, we need overwhelming technology and ability. Therefore, I intend to make personnel rules that fairly assess capabilities. Sudden personnel changes may occur, so I ask for your understanding."
I beca the group's vice chairman.
Now that I had the authority to control the HR team as I pleased,
I planned to review detailed information on all employees and arrange personnel transfers.
Those who rose through connections or political power would be better off submitting their resignations.
That is, if they didn't want to be assigned to remote overseas branches.
But was I being too harsh?
The more I spoke, the more the expressions of the presidents stiffened.
Since I had wielded the whip this much, I should offer so carrots as well.
"I cannot grow Taewoo Group into the world's number one with my abilities alone. I need the help of many of you senior mbers, and I promise rewards worthy of that. We are Korea's top company, so surely no one here wants to receive less pay than elsewhere, right?"
"Hahaha!"
When salary was ntioned, laughter blossod.
After all, a company is a place to make money, isn't it?
I planned to pay executives salaries and bonuses on a completely different level than before.
That way, I could easily get rid of useless people.
"That's enough about personnel. From now on, the chief secretary will also handle the duties forrly done by the director."
"We will announce Vice Chairman Kim Min-jae's appointnt to the dia. We will flood the news with articles emphasizing his achievents so that no backlash arises."
"There will inevitably be opposing voices. South Korea is still stiff toward accepting a vice chairman in his twenties."
"We'll do our best to block them."
A vice chairman in his twenties—
A perfect title to attract jealousy.
No matter how talented I was, I was ultimately my grandfather's grandson.
Being vice chairman because of the chairman's lineage was an undeniable fact.
"Don't block too fiercely. It might backfire. If you have to endure criticism, better to take it briefly and decisively."
"But negative images might beco ingrained."
"If results are delivered, negative images will naturally fade away, won't they?"
For entrepreneurs, results ant stock prices.
As the IT bubble began to burst, the stock prices of several affiliates were plumting.
In such circumstances, just defending the stock price could earn considerable praise.
"I agree with the vice chairman. Don't overdo it—just give the dia so mild support."
"We will do that."
"Now, everyone return to your companies. There's a mountain of work to do—who wants to waste ti?"
The ergency eting ca to an end.
The executive presidents still wore confused expressions as they rose from their seats.
Seeing this, my grandfather looked at and winked.
They say people get childish as they age.
Lately, my grandfather's mischievousness seems to have increased.
***
A few days later.
I settled into the newly established vice chairman's office at the group headquarters.
As I awkwardly fiddled with the naplate engraved with "Vice Chairman," the Chief of Planning Office ca to see .
"The opposition voices are stronger than expected."
"I confird that myself this morning while reading the newspapers. There was even an editorial saying Taewoo Group is in danger because of ."
Taewoo Group placed many advertisents with various dia outlets.
Therefore, negative articles harmful to Taewoo Group rarely appeared.
However, the appointnt of a vice chairman in his twenties was such a huge issue that even dia companies, who might upset advertisers, could not ignore ntioning it.
"We'll reduce the advertising weight in so dia outlets."
"Don't do that."
"However, we cannot quietly watch dia outlets that publish articles comparing us to the Kim family!"
There were even articles comparing North Korea's hereditary succession to Taewoo Group's succession plans.
Since those dia outlets disliked large corporations, so of their articles were provocatively written, but the points made were not entirely wrong.
"Just let it be. More importantly, is the preparation for the Russian inauguration going smoothly?"
"All preparations have been completed secretly. From the flight to accommodation and even the security personnel, everything was arranged."
"It seems I'll be going on a business trip to Russia before I even unpack my things."
There were only five days left until the inauguration.
Because it was such a grand event, I had to arrive in Russia at least three days before the ceremony.
"I will finish the personnel transfer work before you return from the Russia trip."
"It will be very noisy. After all, it's Taewoo Construction, not so other affiliate."
For several days, I checked the personnel roster of Taewoo Construction employees.
I ticulously reviewed their skills, detailed information, and any unusual points—almost to the point of exhaustion.
Still, it wasn't boring because I found hidden gems.
When I found useless people, I even felt disgusted, but I stayed up at night thinking about getting rid of those types this ti.
"I'm worried that President Jang Soo-young's faction might strongly resist."
"That borders on an abuse of power."
The authority over personnel matters for affiliate employees belonged to the respective presidents.
No matter how much of a vice chairman I was, ordering staff transfers was close to overstepping my bounds.
They would take it as a declaration of war.
Well, it wasn't entirely aningless in that sense, but because Taewoo Construction was such a vast organization, pruning had to be prioritized.
"I expect so will either submit their resignations or refuse transfer orders."
"It doesn't matter what they choose. It'd be nicer if they stepped aside willingly, though."
"After you return from your Russia trip, I expect so results will co out one way or another."
"Please endure so hardship in the middle, Director."
I didn't pay much attention and flew to Russia.
Getting rid of soone like President Jang Soo-young was no longer a big deal.
Now that I was vice chairman, I could fire people whenever I wished.
***
The next day.
I arrived at Moscow airport.
As soon as I got off the plane, David and Captain Kang were waiting with dozens of bodyguards, and even Russian police and soldiers were guarding .
"Isn't this a bit excessive? Even when a president arrives, they don't do this."
"The situation in Russia isn't yet fully stable. There are reports that oligarchs rejecting Putin are gathering forces."
Oligarchs.
Should I call them power tycoons?
Those who accumulated wealth with the help of the governnt or military were called oligarchs.
They controlled state-owned enterprises and made enormous profits.
Putin was ostracizing the oligarchs.
The siloviki, composed of military officers mostly from the KGB background, were leading the front.
It was a war between the oligarchs and siloviki.
Since the conflict could spread to , David and Captain Kang gathered a large number of bodyguards at the airport.
"Bodyguards won't co all the way to the accommodation, right?"
"The military will escort the surroundings of the accommodation. Please don't hesitate and get in the car quickly."
Escorted by Captain Kang, I got into the car with David.
It was a bulletproof vehicle that looked suitable for military use, and ard escort vehicles surrounded us.
"Boss! The Kremlin says you'll be staying at a villa in a resort today."
"A villa, not a hotel? Is it because they want us to stay sowhere quiet for security?"
"I don't know the details either. They just sent an address and nothing else. It sounded very strict—obviously soone with a military background."
"If the owner says to stay at the villa, then we stay at the villa."
Without properly seeing Moscow, we moved to a quiet rural village.
It took a full four hours before we finally arrived at the villa, where soldiers could be seen all around.
"They're certainly not taking any chances with security. It feels like we're inside a military base."
"Our guards aren't allowed inside the villa either. The Russian governnt said they will take full responsibility for security, so there's nothing we can do."
Only David and Captain Kang went inside the villa with .
Despite the slightly worn exterior, the interior was ultra-luxurious.
"So I guess we're waiting here until the inauguration? If I'd known, I would have co a few days later."
"Exactly! I don't know why they wanted you in Russia this early."
I hadn't arranged the Russia schedule.
The Russian governnt had notified of the plans, and I was just following the schedule.
"Let's unpack quickly and have a light drink. It's not what we intended, but at least we got a chance to rest."
"Since we're in Russia, we should drink whiskey! I'll set it up."
David excitedly started bringing out the drinks.
At that mont, soldiers guarding outside suddenly entered the villa and began frisking us.
"What are you doing?"
Without a chance to resist, the soldiers searched every part of our bodies.
After confirming we had no weapons, they stepped back.
A few minutes later, a completely unexpected person entered the villa.
"I told them not to do that, but they just won't listen to ."
It was Putin.
He smiled as he entered and waved his hand to send all the soldiers filling the villa outside.
"Glad to et you. I'm Kim Min-jae, Vice Chairman of Taewoo Group."
"Do we really need formal introductions? And shouldn't you introduce yourself as the CEO of SAVE Investnt Company rather than Taewoo Group? Ha ha ha."
Putin's words sounded like a joke but had sharp aning behind them.
Being a forr KGB officer, he was well versed in intelligence.
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