Son of a Conglomerate at the Highest Level

＜ Cheers ＞

the president asked.

“The reason I was invited as a state guest by the Saudi royal family.”

“I was in charge of road construction in Saudi Arabia and completed it. In the meantime, I made a little ball.”

“ball?”

The president was interested.

One of the president’s favorite words was the promotion of national prestige.

With the division after the Korean War, all lucrative industries such as factories and mines remained in North Korea, and the Republic of Korea embraced only a land in ruins and a population cut in half.

When the president came to power through a military coup, Korea was being ridiculed like this.

– A poorer country than Africa!

-A country starving to death without aid from the US and the West!

-A country with a per capita national income of only $150!

The president gritted his teeth and clung to economic growth.

However, because it was such a poor country, it was inevitable to be frantic in attracting foreign aid and loans.

How can it be easier to eat someone else’s money in this world?

It was not an individual, but an institution or country.

To borrow money, he had to put down his pride and face.

-I don’t want to be seen as a humiliating and servile president, even though I may receive loans and aid!

This is because the president reacts very sensitively to the enhancement of national prestige and face.

It is also the reason why the president does not forgive bribery and the eradication of corruption.

It is also the reason why they shout ‘Export is the only way to live!’

It is also the reason why they are crying out for anti-communism and the search for armed communists and for strengthening self-reliant national defense.

It was because he did not want to be treated as the president of a weak country, the poorest country, a country without a future, and a country without answers at the world leaders’ meeting.

“It must have been no ordinary ball.”

It meant that he could not be treated as a state guest by the royal family with poor merit.

“Luckily, I caught the treason sword.”

“Treason too?”

“Yes, there was an assassination of the King of Saudi Arabia a few years ago, right?”

March 25, 1975.

Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the third son of Ibn Saud, the first King of Saudi Arabia, and the third King.

He was shot and killed by his insane nephew, Faisal bin Musaid.

“We first discovered the armed rebel forces that were scheduled to rise immediately after the assassination of the king, and were recognized for their efforts in finding out the rebellion.”

“what?”

The president raised an eyebrow.

It was the expression of hearing an absurd sound.

It was the same for me too.

‘what?’

I heard from my mother that my father was going to the Middle East to lay and construct roads, but I didn’t know he would do such a feat!

‘No, there wasn’t a single line like that in the Taesung Group report either?’

In the Taesung Group report, there were only a few sentences written about my father.

‘He died young in an accident at a young age.’ ‘After the death of his youngest son, Taeseong started to deteriorate.’ It was only to an extent.

‘Father, what the hell were you doing in Saudi Arabia?’

I was curious about what had happened in the past.

That’s what everyone in this room looks like.

Even the president couldn’t hide his interest and leaned forward slightly to focus on his father’s words.

“Details.”

“sorry. It would be difficult to tell you more than that.”

Father spoke calmly.

“If a shameful part like the treason of the royal family is exposed to the outside, it will cause disgrace. We promised to cover it quietly and not speak.”

The president clicked his tongue slightly.

“Didn’t you at least get a medal?”

“Instead, I put a debt on the Saudi royal family.”

The president’s face began to feel warm rather than cold.

“What are you trying to get from Saudi Arabia?”

“Wouldn’t it be better for His Excellency to accept it than for Taeseong to accept it? If His Excellency wishes, I will gladly offer it to you.”

“You must be a patriotic young man.”

The president’s smile deepened.

“If the state steals the achievements made by individuals, it will be used. Just take heart.”

The president held out a glass of wine with a cigarette between his fingers.

cut off.

The head of the Blue House Security Office immediately ran and filled the empty cup for the president.

At the gesture of the president, I poured alcohol into Mayor Gu’s cup and Father’s cup.

The president had a drink.

“It’s just too good a ball to pass.”

“Yes, that’s right. In my opinion, a young friend has raised the status of Korea. What could be more joyful and proud?”

The old mayor also burst into laughter as he raised his glass.

“Besides, to dedicate that ball to the country. It will be an example of patriotic youth. Heh heh heh.”

“It’s an overstatement.”

“Cheers.”

As soon as the president’s words ran out, he drank at the same time.

“This is the promotion of national prestige.”

The president bumped his palms lightly.

match. match. match.

Ministers joined in and applauded.

Clap clap clap clap!

The father put on a troubled expression and bowed to the president.

“It’s too much.”

“Leave too much modesty. It raised the national prestige of the Republic of Korea and received recognition from foreign royal families. It deserves praise.”

“thank you.”

The president leaned back on the sofa with a pleased expression.

“I’m looking forward to Taesung’s future.”

The president beckoned.

“Let’s all sit down and have a drink.”

“Thank you, Your Excellency.”

The ministers standing against the wall immediately bowed and answered.

“I know it’s because of this friend.”

He said that he would drop a drink at a time because he was in a good mood because his father had raised the status of the Republic of Korea.

The ministers went to their seats, each passed an empty glass and filled each other.

“To receive three cups of alcohol from His Excellency.”

The Chief of Security at the Blue House muttered softly and looked down at his father.

He only slightly raised one corner of his mouth, and he seemed to be both laughing at his father and partly interested.

“How is the situation in the Middle East?”

Oops, the president’s business isn’t over yet!

This time, the last anticipated question I picked up began.

What the president was really curious about was probably not how his father became a state guest of the Saudi royal family.

-How will the situation in the Middle East affect Korea?

This must be the real purpose of the president to invite his father to a private drinking party.

‘When you go back and forth from one country to another in the Middle East, winning and constructing major projects, you have no choice but to form a close relationship with the locals.’

Construction manpower and materials must be procured locally, and work must be done by meeting with officials at the lower level.

‘Where money goes, real information goes along with it.’

What the president wanted was local bottom-line information.

‘We can’t neglect the situation in the Middle East. Because oil comes from the Middle East.’

This was the reason I got a sense when the Foreign Minister and people from the Middle Eastern embassy were invited to a drinking party.

“Currently, the entire Middle East is very dizzy, both at home and abroad.”

“Foreign Ministry.”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, who was called out, immediately corrected his posture after receiving the drink.

“Currently, in the Middle East, national key industries are nurtured with the oil money earned, and cities are developed by constructing social infrastructure…”

“stop.”

The foreign minister immediately shut up and bowed his head.

“What do you think?”

“I don’t think it would be strange if a second oil shock occurred sooner or later.”

The president’s expression changed.

Urban development with oil money in the Middle East was not the president’s concern, but the oil crisis in the Middle East was of utmost concern.

“Second Oil Crisis?”

The first oil shock, which began in the Middle East just a few years ago, shook economies around the world.

Korea was no exception.

‘At the time of the first oil shock, Korea, where labor-intensive light industry was the mainstream, suffered less damage than developed countries, but the plan to foster the heavy and chemical industry almost collapsed.’

The promotion of the heavy and chemical industry was a national policy that the President had been pushing forward with ambition.

However, due to the bad news of the oil crisis, the inflation rate, which was only 3.2% in 1973, soared to 25% annually in 1974 and 1975.

Of course, songs were heard all over the country.

This was the reason why the president had no choice but to be sensitive to the word “second oil crisis.”

“If a second oil crisis occurs, the Republic of Korea will be severely hit incomparably with the previous oil crisis. This is because the heavy chemical industry has increased significantly in just a few years, and its dependence on oil has intensified.”

Oil prices continue to rise due to the oil production cut policy.

The Republic of Korea was currently experiencing the blow directly and suffering from the trap of high prices.

“In the Middle East, Iran’s behavior in particular is very concerning.”

The second oil shock began with the Iranian Revolution and hit the world.

This was the reason why I confidently pointed out Iran and made the third expected answer sheet.

“Foreign Ministry.”

“Iran is currently in a state of dissatisfaction with the Pahlavi dynasty. The gap between rich and poor is so extreme that it is like an explosives on the verge of exploding.”

Iran’s per capita income rose rapidly from $570 to $2,300 due to the first oil crisis.

However, national wealth was concentrated only on the royal family and high-ranking powers.

It was the cause of the Iranian Revolution.

Fears over how the Islamic Revolution that began in Iran would spread across the Middle East froze the global economy.

That was the second oil shock.

“Your Excellency, if it is a second oil crisis, it is not a problem to be overlooked.”

The chief of staff at the Blue House cautiously opened his mouth.

“Is there a possibility of an oil shock?”

“Very high.”

“From the perspective of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?”

“I agree. I think it is very high.”

The president rubbed his chin.

“exchequer.”

“Considering the burden the national economy must bear, it is right to prepare for bad news. We will carefully review this year’s budget when we are preparing it.”

“The Ministry of Commerce and Industry.”

“If there is an oil shock, the price of atomic ashes will skyrocket. Even now, Korea’s industry is growing rapidly. The more raw materials we have, the better.”

The president turned to the foreign minister.

“Is it something that can be resolved on the line of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?”

“Impossible. It won’t be easy even if the US or UK takes the lead. This is because it could be seen as interference in the Middle East’s internal affairs.”

“hmm.”

The president nodded.

“Assuming that the second oil crisis occurs, what if the debt of the Saudi royal family is to be paid in oil?”

The answer was given by the Chief of Staff of the Blue House.

“It is possible, but there will be limitations. Isn’t oil the backbone of Saudi wealth? Even if there is diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and Saudi Arabia…”

“Not at the state level, but at the private level. What if Taeseong makes an oil refinery company?”

uh?

My eyes widened at the president’s remarks.

‘Is that what I was aiming for?’

Dinosaurs on the market during the second oil shock!

It was the Korea National Oil Corporation, a state-run company.

When the U.S. Gulf Company, which held 50% of Yugong’s shares, could not stand it and expressed its intention to withdraw, the government decided to privatize Korea National Oil Corporation.

He made an offer to hand over Korea National Oil Corporation if he had the money to settle the 50% stake in Gulf.

It was a problem because the acquisition fund was a whopping $100 million.

This was the reason I wanted to set up an investment company, and the reason I obtained a memorandum of acquisition from my grandfather.

* * *

The president wanted to continue an in-depth conversation with the ministers about the second oil crisis, and the father received a congratulatory order.

The Chief of Security at the Blue House said as he closed the door.

“What is your name?”

“This is Cha Seong-jun from Taesung Construction.”

“Taesung Construction Cha Seong-jun. I will remember it.”

The Chief of Security at the Blue House held out a golden card.

“receive. His Excellency gave permission.”

“What is this?”

“Invitation to the Blue House New Year’s Luncheon.”

“yes?”

“It’s a place to discuss New Year’s plans with corporate heads. I know with honor.”

It was a position that my father, who was only in charge of a construction company, could never fill.

thud.

So the door was closed.

Without regret, my father turned his back and walked out of the Hyunmu Hotel bar.

“Seongjun!”

Grandpa, who was waiting at the emergency stairs, ran to see my father and was delighted.

“Why are you here so late! You weren’t severely reprimanded… hmm?”

Grandpa opened his eyes wide.

“Did you get a drink?”

“yes.”

“a drink?”

“Three cups.”

“what? Three cups each?”

Grandpa was astonished.

“Oh, how could this happen…!”

Suddenly, the grandfather found the card the father was holding.

“That invitation…, no way…!”

“Yes, this is an invitation to the Blue House New Year’s Luncheon.”

“What nonsense…! Even among the chaebol heads, people who didn’t receive it were widely spread!”

Grandpa screamed like a scream.

“No, what the hell did you do after you went inside, did you get something like that?”

“I do not know. I just gave an appropriate answer based on what was written on the expected answer sheet.”

“Isn’t that the answer you expected?”

“That anonymous sponsor who said he was sponsoring Taeseong. As if it entered and came out of His Excellency’s head, he wrote down the expected questions and answers and sent them.”

“what?”

Grandpa opened his mouth.

“Is that possible?”

“That’s right. I feel like I’m possessed by a ghost…”

“also. Because I am not an ordinary person.”

“Who are you? No matter how much I think about it, I don’t know why.”

Father clenched his fists.

“I’ll have to ask Secretary Kim.”

“If it’s Secretary Kim, here… huh?”

Secretary Kim was already showing off.

＜Cheers＞ End