Story of a Big Player from Gangnam

Gun-Ho thought about Dyeon Korea’s stock price.

‘Say Dyeon Korea’s stock price increases to 7,500 won. I’ve bought 3 million shares, and I will make more than 5 billion won from it then. SH Investment Partners’ President Geun-Soo Son and Seung-Hee sister have been working for me in buying the stock, and I paid less than 1 million won for their labor cost, combined. The investment is successful. SH Investment Partners is working for my personal interest without letting the public know about it.’

Gun-Ho also thought about what would happen if Dyeon Korea’s stock was accepted by the public as “Candidate Jin-Woo Lee’s stock?” Gun-Ho couldn’t even guess how high Dyeon Korea’s stock price would increase if that happened.

At that moment, Gun-Ho received a call from GH Machines’ President Jong-Suk Park.

“Bro, how come you don’t come to GH Machines anymore?”

“I’ve been busy lately.”

“How was your trip to China? Did you see Jae-Sik bro there? He is doing alright, isn’t he?”

“He gave up the terminal project. He will focus on the intercity bus business only for now.”

“How did that happen?”

“A terminal project usually takes hundreds of millions of won. And, it wouldn’t give us a good investment return in the end anyway. Also, it will take forever to get the return as well.”

“Oh, really? I didn’t know that. I’m not good at those things. I need to learn how to analyze profitability along with the investment returning time and stuff, just like you, bro. I’ve been spending my time doing welding work and stuff in the production field so far without having a chance of thinking about those things.”

“You are taking classes in college right now. You are learning it.”

“No, bro. The classes that I’m taking do not teach those things. They talk about production management, product quality control, and things like that only.”

“Those things are very important too.”

“I’m so sick and tired of hearing about production, process, quality control stuff.”

“Well, I think you should pursue an MBA once you graduate from college then.”

“MBA? But I didn’t even major in commerce or business.”

“An MBA degree is for people like you. You will meet a lot of people there, who majored in engineering, music, arts, and things that are not related to business. As long as you will be running a business, then it’s for you. Dankuk University has a good MBA program.”

“Really? Well yeah. I will think about it. Let me give you a report now.”

“What report?”

“I registered with the Korea International Trade Association for GH Machines’ trading business. We now have an ID for our trading work. And, we’ve manufactured our first 200 camshafts.”

“You can still make profits considering the wage and production cost?”

“Yeah, it’s okay. Our labor cost is lower than the cost in Japan, so it seems to be working out fine. I just need to watch out with the currency exchange rate.”

“Haha. You sound like a businessman, Jong-Suk. You grew a lot. Now, you know that you have to be concerned about the currency exchange rate in the trading business.”

“Of course, bro. I’m in the international trade industry now. As Manager Seo gives me export declarations and invoices for my approval, I do carefully review them every time.”

“I guess you would be able to get the award for your trading work from the government; you know like receiving a small tower figure for your contribution to our country’s trade business.”

“I didn’t know there is such an award issued by the government.”

“Of course there is. You are making dollars and bringing them into our country. You are a patriot.”

“Am I?”

“Of course you are. Think about your contribution to the business in Korea. You are making dollar money. You hire people by creating jobs in manufacturing products. You are definitely a patriot in that sense.”

Jong-Suk giggled.

“I thought I was trash. I used to get involved in a fight all the time when I was younger. I guess I am not trash.”

“You can be proud of yourself, Jong-Suk.”

“Thank you, bro.”

After getting off the phone with Jong-Suk Park, Gun-Ho sat on the sofa in his office, and then he stretched himself. When he was enjoying Longjing tea that Secretary Yeon-Soo Oh had brought to him earlier, he received a call. It was CEO Park of A Group’s planning and coordination department.

“It’s CEO Park.”

“Hello, sir. It’s Gun-Ho Goo.”

“How have you been?”

“I’ve been good.”

“If you have time today, can we have a cup of coffee?”

“A cup of coffee?”

“Yes. We can get some fresh air together outside the office. I have things that I’d like to discuss with you anyway.”

“What is it about? Can you tell me what it is about over the phone first?”

“I want to see you in person. Why don’t you get some air with me at Nam Mountain after lunchtime today?”

“Alright then. I will be there by 2 pm.”

“Please meet me at the parking lot of the Namsan Public Library. We met each other there last time.”

“Okay.”

After hanging up the phone, various thoughts crossed his mind.

“What does he want from me this time?”

Meeting at Nam Mountain probably meant that he wanted to talk about something secret. Gun-Ho had a set menu with braised cutlassfish for lunch that day, with Director Kang. After lunch, he had his afternoon coffee in his office. He then headed out to the Namsan Public Library. When he arrived there, he saw CEO Park waiting for him at the entrance.

“You came early, sir.”

“I just arrived.”

“What is it that you are holding in your hand?”

“These are canned coffee. I wanted to have coffee with you while talking about things that are going on in life, with you.”

“I think I’m too young to talk about life with you, sir.”

“You are special, President Goo. You are not an ordinary young man.”

“Haha. Thank you for saying that, sir.”

CEO Park and Gun-Ho walked toward the Ahn Jung Geun Memorial Hall. When they found an empty bench on the way, they sat there. CEO Park handed one of the canned coffee to Gun-Ho. As he sipped the coffee, he asked Gun-Ho, “President Goo, do you think Candidate Jin-Woo Lee will be elected as the leader of his political party— Gongmyeong Party?”

“Well, I’m not very knowledgeable about politics, but the media is anticipating that he would get elected, aren’t they?”

“If he gets elected this time, he can run for President. What do you think, President Goo? Do you think he will be able to win the next presidential election?”

“The next presidential election, sir? That wouldn’t be easy. His opponent is a very powerful man, as you know. It would be possible though for him to win the one after the next presidential election, or later, but probably not the next one. I believe he will safely be elected as the leader of his political party, without any problems. But, I don’t know. We can’t be sure before we see the result, right?”

“Hmm, that’s true.”

CEO Park took a sip of his coffee, and then he looked up at the sky. The weather was sunny and clear with only a few clouds. After staring at the sky for a while, CEO Park said in a low voice. He sounded calm.

“The reason why I wanted to see you today, President Goo, is… that I want you to take someone in your company.”

“Someone? Who is it?”

“I’m going to recommend someone for you. Would you keep him in your company for the next two years?”

“Who is it, sir? If he is a decent worker, I can have him in my company for even 20 years, not just 2 years. What’s his specialty?”

“I want him to be an executive officer in your company.”

“Huh? An executive officer?”