CH145 | Heir

The Chief Secretary's anger burst out.

However, the telecommunications cartel remained solid, and today, they were once again enjoying a drinking party in a friendly atmosphere.

“The Chairman must be having a hard time. Please endure just a little longer.”

“What hardship could there be? I just listen with one ear and let it go out the other.”

“Thank you very much. I must ask for your continued patience. Even after you step down from the Chairman position, you'll still have to endure, and for that, I can only feel sorry.”

“Haha, it's only natural if it's for the future of Korea's telecommunications industry.”

The presidential term lasted only five years.

The Chairman of the Broadcasting Commission had an even shorter term—just three years.

What came after that was a promise from the telecommunications cartel to take care of his life.

By rotating as an honorary advisor at each company for three years, he could secure stable income for at least ten years. Who would refuse such an offer?

Enduring a few harsh words in exchange for ten years of comfort seemed like a fair deal.

That was why he could tolerate the Chief Secretary's angry outbursts.

“By the way, I hear the presidential Chief Secretary has quite a temper. Your ears will be ringing for a while.”

“This administration doesn't have much time left. There's already talk of a lame-duck period next year, so I only need to endure a few more months. Haha.”

“The President's approval ratings have dropped significantly. By the second half of this year, his influence won't be what it used to be.”

The South Korean presidency wielded imperial power.

However, that power was only possible with public support.

If the approval rating fell below 30%, the foundation of power would inevitably begin to shake.

If it dropped below 20%, ignoring the voice of the Blue House wouldn't be a problem.

“What worries me more is the Super 301 clause. If the U.S. formally invokes the Super 301, wouldn't that cause serious problems?”

“Think back to the foreign exchange crisis. The Super 301 was invoked against the automobile industry then, but in the end, it quietly disappeared, didn't it? The Super 301 card is just a bluff.”

“You never know, though.”

“Hmm, this is for the Chairman's ears only. We've already sent lobbyists. We'll sprinkle the medicine evenly across the White House and the political circles, so there's no need to worry.”

“As expected, you've thought of everything. Then I'll just focus on getting scolded!”

There was a reason they laughed and enjoyed the drinking party.

The telecommunications cartel maintained constant exchanges with American politicians.

On top of that, they had poured in massive lobbying funds, so they were certain the Super 301 issue would be resolved soon.

“Well then, shall we propose a toast again today? To Taewoo Group!”

“Cheers!”

The telecommunications cartel was confident in their victory.

Once again, they enjoyed their drinking party, mocking Taewoo Group with their toast.

***

These days, I found myself meeting with Chairman Jang Kyung-joon of Hyundai Motors more frequently.

As soon as the U.S. brandished the Super 301 card, he contacted me, and today, we were having dinner together.

“I can't understand why this fallout is spreading to the automobile industry. Why should our industry suffer such humiliation over a telecommunications issue?”

“Isn't the automobile industry always the easiest target? I'm barely hanging on myself. At least Samsung Electronics and CL Electronics still produce mobile phones, but Taewoo Electronics pulled out of the mobile phone business long ago.”

For now, I played dumb.

I had to make sure Chairman Jang Kyung-joon didn't suspect I was the one stirring up the Super 301 issue — that was the only way to bring him in as an ally.

“Sigh... But surely the U.S. won't formally invoke the Super 301, right? Hyundai Motors is even considering filing a complaint with the WTO.”

“The U.S. has hinted that they could withdraw from the WTO altogether. If the situation escalates, no one can predict how things will turn out.”

“I heard the Blue House has already ordered the relaxation of the WIPI regulations, but why hasn't there been any movement?”

“You don't know the telecommunications cartel very well. They have enough power to ignore even the President's orders.”

“Well... with four of the top ten conglomerates joining forces, I suppose that makes sense.”

Three of those companies were ranked among the top five conglomerates.

Wasn't that exactly why I was going to such lengths to forge an alliance with Hyundai Motors?

“If we're going to take on the telecommunications cartel, the automobile industry needs to join forces as well.”

“We're trying to shape public opinion through media outlets close to us.”

“Taewoo Group is also planning to publish articles targeting the telecommunications cartel.”

Our plans were falling into place perfectly.

Taewoo Group alone had limited power in media campaigns, but if Hyundai Motors joined in, they could generate enough public pressure.

“How about spreading fear that the Super 301 could trigger another IMF crisis?”

“That's an excellent idea. We're also planning to highlight the excessive data fees charged by the telecommunications industry. If we show how greedy they are compared to other countries, wouldn't that be effective?”

“Media alone won't be enough. Let's get the political world involved too. I'll reach out to politicians close to Hyundai Motors.”

“We'll mobilize every politician we have connections with.”

Even though Taewoo Group was now the number one conglomerate, Hyundai Group had held that position firmly in the past.

Many politicians still maintained close ties with Hyundai Group, and if they could be brought into this fight, it would be like gaining a powerful army.

After wrapping up the strategy meeting with Chairman Jang Kyung-joon, I returned to Taewoo Group headquarters to hold a detailed operations meeting with the planning office staff.

“The number of customers demanding the iPhone launch needs to increase by at least tenfold for their voices to reach Yeouido.”

“iPhone sales in the U.S. are breaking records every day. As a result, we've seen a surge in calls to Taewoo Electronics stores inquiring about the iPhone launch.”

“That's still not enough. How many Koreans travel back and forth to the U.S.? We need to create opportunities for people in Korea to experience the iPhone firsthand.”

“But the iPhone launch is banned in Korea — there's no way.”

Although the iPhone's launch in Korea was blocked by the telecommunications cartel,

it didn't necessarily mean that customers had to buy the iPhone to have a chance to experience it.

“Display iPhones in all Taewoo Electronics stores. Use part of the initial stock as display units.”

“That’s a brilliant move. The launch is banned, but there's no regulation against displaying the product. We'll arrange for iPhones to be showcased in our electronics stores immediately. However, if we use the initial stock as display units, we'll have to bear the full cost ourselves.”

“That’s a small price to pay. Once the iPhone officially launches, we'll make far more. Consider it a marketing expense and proceed with the display installation.”

“I'll ensure iPhones are displayed in stores nationwide by tomorrow.”

Seeing is believing.

No amount of rumors could compare to experiencing the device firsthand.

If customers could see and touch the iPhone in stores, demand would naturally skyrocket.

“And we need to target students who are sensitive to trends. Set up iPhone promotional booths at major universities across the country.”

“To set up promotional booths, we'll need wireless internet.”

“Then install wireless internet networks at the universities.”

“That will cost a significant amount.”

“It’s inevitable. Once the iPhone launches, the lack of wireless internet will become a major issue anyway. Investing in wireless infrastructure now will only benefit us in the long run.”

Korea already had one of the best high-speed internet networks in the world.

However, wireless internet was still in its early stages — an unfamiliar concept for most people.

That's why installing wireless networks at universities first would expose students to its convenience and accelerate mass adoption.

“We'll start by setting up booths at major universities and gradually expand the program.”

“Move as quickly as possible. The more customers want the iPhone, the sooner its launch will be.”

“I'll mobilize the entire planning office staff.”

One by one, operations to pressure the telecommunications cartel were being put into motion.

But I still had several more strategies in mind — especially the ones targeting the cartel from the inside.

Those plans hadn't even begun yet.

***

Apple's Vice President Tony visited Korea.

He was in charge of all purchasing operations, including transactions with Korean companies for semiconductors, LCD panels, and other components.

Both Samsung Electronics and CL Electronics moved simultaneously to entertain him.

However, Tony made an unusual request — he wanted to meet with representatives from both companies at the same time.

“I've heard that your companies are blocking the iPhone's release in Korea. The iPhone uses many semiconductors from Samsung Electronics and LCD panels from CL Electronics — I can't understand why you're adopting such a policy.”

“......”

The representatives had no excuse.

Despite holding executive positions, they couldn't offer a proper explanation — not when they were caught in a direct conflict of interest with one of their largest clients.

“Do you perhaps see Apple as a competitor rather than a customer? If that's the case, we'll have no choice but to revise our procurement plans. We'll exclude Samsung Electronics and CL Electronics from our list of suppliers.”

“But we've already signed contracts. You can't unilaterally terminate them.”

“Are you planning to sue us if we cancel the contract? Go ahead — I'd love to see you try. Why should we hesitate to take legal action against companies that undermine their own customers? Let's fight it out in U.S. courts.”

The representatives flinched.

It wasn't Apple they feared — it was the possibility of the U.S. government stepping in if the dispute escalated into an international lawsuit.

“We have absolutely no intention of holding Apple back. The delay is simply due to local circumstances in Korea.”

“Then that's a relief. We're about to sign a new contract for 3 million units worth of components — with second and third rounds of orders to follow. But if this issue isn't resolved quickly, I'll be heading to Japan to finalize deals with other suppliers. Companies that don't compete against their own customers.”

At the mention of 3 million units, the executives' eyes widened.

They had heard about the iPhone's explosive popularity in the U.S., but they never imagined Apple would be planning such massive production volumes.

Those damn mobile business guys!

They created the problem, and now I have to clean up their mess?!

The Samsung Electronics representative was from the semiconductor division — a completely separate unit from the mobile division, which had conspired with the telecommunications cartel.

It was the same story for the CL Electronics representative, who belonged to the LCD division — equally uninvolved with the cartel.

“We'll do our best to resolve the issue as smoothly as possible.”

“You'd better. If the iPhone isn't released in Korea by the end of this month, we'll not only cancel the contract but sign a new deal with Japanese companies — companies that don't sabotage their customers.”

Even within Samsung Electronics and CL Electronics, internal factions were at play.

This incident marked the starting point of a power struggle between rival factions within both companies.