CH35 | MCT

Using the President to Set the Stage (3)

Beside Jang Joon-yong stood Kim Hwan, the chief secretary.

Kim Hwan glanced at Tae-soo with a subtle smile before leaning in to whisper something to Jang Joon-yong.

Jang Joon-yong shifted his gaze toward Tae-soo and raised a hand.

“Well, well, look who we have here! I’d expect you to be in Gangwon-do, yet here you are. Ha-ha-ha! In any case, good to see you.”

“How do you do? This is our first meeting. My name is Kang Tae-soo.”

“I’m Jang Joon-yong of Geumsan.”

“It’s an honor to meet you. I received the gift you sent. Thank you very much.”

Jang Joon-yong gave a slight nod.

“These days, they say the hardest person to meet is a molybdenum mine owner. Ha-ha-ha! Have you been making good money?”

“Thanks to you, I’ve earned a little.”

Thud.

Just then, the sound of a car door slamming shut echoed sharply.

The source of that irritation?

Han Cheong-ho, the head of Cheongil Group.

Han Cheong-ho extended his fingers, splaying them wide.

“Five days have passed. You missed a great opportunity.”

Five days ago, he had issued a ridiculous proposal—part threat, part deal—and then given Tae-soo time to think it over.

“I thought you were a smart man. What a disappointment.”

With that, he turned his back and strode off, following Park Tae-jong and President Park Jung-hwan.

Jang Joon-yong watched Han Cheong-ho’s retreating figure and then spoke.

“I should go after His Excellency as well. We’ll talk later.”

“Understood.”

Jang Joon-yong, too, walked away, heading toward the steel mill.

Tae-soo remained in front of the Pohang Steel office, watching them disappear into the distance.

"Park Jung-hwan came all the way to Pohang with both Jang Joon-yong of Geumsan and Han Cheong-ho of Cheongil.

Is this really just about the Saudi construction project?"

Han Cheong-ho’s involvement was obvious—his company was tangled up with Samwon Construction. No surprise there.

As for Jang Joon-yong, he had a history of securing oil money by winning shipbuilding contracts from wealthy Middle Eastern clients to fund the construction of Geumsan Shipyard.

Could that be why?

Tae-soo smirked.

"President Park Jung-hwan didn’t come here on a whim. He’s dead serious about this."

***

Pohang Steel President’s Office

Key figures had gathered in one room.

At the highest seat sat President Park Jung-hwan, with his chief security officer, Cha Ki-beom, standing beside him.

To Park Jung-hwan’s right were Park Tae-jong and Geumsan Group’s chairman, Jang Joon-yong.

To his left sat Chief Secretary Kim Jung-rim and Cheongil Group’s chairman, Han Cheong-ho.

It was almost as if the room had been divided into two opposing sides.

Park Jung-hwan turned to Park Tae-jong.

“Bring in the man you wanted to introduce.”

“Understood, Your Excellency.”

Park Tae-jong immediately got up and stepped outside.

A moment later, he returned, followed by Tae-soo.

“I’m Kang Tae-soo. It’s an honor to meet you.”

“Likewise. Have a seat.”

Tae-soo bowed politely before taking a seat near Park Tae-jong, directly across from Han Cheong-ho.

Park Tae-jong chuckled heartily as he introduced him.

“This young man here is the president of the construction company currently building the school. You all saw the site earlier, didn’t you?”

“Yes, it was quite a project. I even met the vice president on-site—a rather young man. Is he your younger brother?”

President Park Jung-hwan smirked playfully.

Park Tae-jong gave a slightly awkward smile.

“Your Excellency, the vice president you met earlier is actually my son.”

“Oh? That young man was your son?”

“Yes.”

“Well, well! Tae-jong, this is how you introduce your son to me?”

Park Jung-hwan burst into laughter and turned to Han Cheong-ho.

“Han, you saw him too, didn’t you?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Didn’t you immediately try to recruit him into Cheongil Construction? Ha-ha-ha!”

It was true—Han Cheong-ho had openly expressed interest in hiring the young man.

“I had no idea he was President Park’s son. Had I known, I wouldn’t have made such an offer.”

“But you did try to recruit him. You really wanted him, didn’t you?”

“…Yes.”

There was only one possible answer.

Han Cheong-ho had no choice but to admit it.

Park Jung-hwan was thoroughly amused.

“Ha-ha-ha! Look at this. Han Cheong-ho of Cheongil, the man with the sharpest eye for talent in all of Korea! If he vouches for someone, there’s no need for further discussion. Tae-jong, your son must be quite something! Ha-ha-ha!”

“My apologies, Your Excellency. It wasn’t me—this young man here snatched my son up first.”

Park Tae-jong gestured toward Tae-soo.

Park Jung-hwan chuckled.

“So, you’re the one with an eye for talent, are you? Now I’m curious—do you have what it takes to follow in Han’s footsteps?”

Then, with a teasing expression, he turned back to Park Tae-jong.

“Be honest with me. Is this young man just a figurehead, while your son is the real president?”

"No, there's no need for that."

"Well, you know how people talk. Don’t you agree?"

"If I wanted to secure something for my son, I would have petitioned Your Excellency to pass down Pohang Steel to him. But of course, that will never happen."

Park Jung-hwan turned his gaze to Tae-soo.

"You said your name was Kang Tae-soo?"

"Yes, that’s correct."

"Why did you make Tae-jong’s son your vice president? Are you using him as leverage to shake up Park Tae-jong?"

His brows furrowed slightly, as if displeased.

"After all, you’ve succeeded in stirring up Park Tae-jong and bringing him before me. It wouldn’t be an entirely wrong assumption, would it? You’re quite the audacious one."

Tae-soo smiled calmly.

"Regardless of President Park, his son, Park Cheol-wan, is an extraordinary talent. A man who will leave a significant mark on Korea’s construction industry."

"Is that so?"

"How could I not covet such a person? I acted quickly to secure him before anyone else could snatch him away."

"Hmm..."

A talent that even Han Cheong-ho had immediately taken an interest in.

Yet, Park Jung-hwan’s expression still showed skepticism.

Ever since seizing power, he had become deeply distrustful of others.

Sensing this, Han Cheong-ho discreetly nudged Kim Jung-rim, who was seated beside him.

"Hmm?"

When Kim Jung-rim turned to look, Han Cheong-ho gave him a slight nod.

Taking the cue, Kim Jung-rim carefully spoke up.

"Your Excellency, do you recall the molybdenum mine we discussed before?"

"The molybdenum mine?"

"A single individual is monopolizing a key strategic mineral for personal gain. This goes against Your Excellency’s heavy industry development policy and has been causing trouble for corporations."

"Yes, I remember. How could I forget such an insolent act?"

"Due to the suspension of molybdenum exports, companies are now in crisis. Major corporations are seeing a significant drop in exports, which will have a severe impact on the country's current account balance."

"A current account deficit? Is the situation that serious?"

"That’s right, Your Excellency. And it’s all because some shameless individual has monopolized molybdenum. This is practically an act of treason!"

Kim Jung-rim pointed at Tae-soo.

"And that man is none other than the owner of the molybdenum mine!"

"What?!"

A flicker of anger appeared in Park Jung-hwan’s eyes as he stared at Tae-soo.

"You dare hoard a critical national resource for personal gain, harming the country in the process?"

At that moment, Park Tae-jong interjected.

"Chief Secretary Kim, is South Korea currently running a trade deficit or a surplus? Let’s get our facts straight first."

"Not right now, but in the next quarter, or perhaps later..."

"So it’s just speculation. From where I’m sitting, this sounds absurd. How many export products even contain molybdenum? And what percentage of those products actually rely on it? Is molybdenum truly the root of this issue?"

Kim Jung-rim fell silent.

But President Park Jung-hwan was already glaring at Tae-soo with unrelenting suspicion.

Park Tae-jong turned to the president.

"Your Excellency, do you remember the petition I submitted some time ago? About an individual who revived an abandoned mine from the Japanese occupation era and planned to donate it to the nation in the future?"

Though his expression remained stern, Park Jung-hwan nodded.

"Yes, I recall that."

"That mine owner is none other than this young man, Kang Tae-soo."

"Wait... That mine was a molybdenum mine?"

Park Jung-hwan turned sharply to Park Tae-jong.

"Tae-jong, why did you leave out such a crucial detail in your report?"

"Your Excellency, at the time, you were rushing into a meeting and asked for only the key points. Since the important part was his intent to donate the mine to the state, I summarized accordingly."

"Hmm. This is quite the situation..."

Of all things, that abandoned mine turned out to be a molybdenum deposit.

Park Jung-hwan knew better than anyone how thoroughly the Japanese had exploited Korea’s resources during the occupation.

When he first approved a ten-year exclusive mining right for an old, depleted site, he hadn't thought much of it.

Park Tae-jong continued.

"I brought up the matter in mid-August—five months ago. Long before the molybdenum issue even surfaced."

"That does seem to be the case. Yes, I remember now."

Park Jung-hwan slowly nodded.

It was only now, after the crisis had escalated, that the significance of that mine had become clear.

Tae-soo spoke calmly.

"Your Excellency, I believe there has been a misunderstanding."

"Hmm."

The hostility in Park Jung-hwan’s eyes toward Tae-soo had disappeared.

He looked at Tae-soo and burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! Well, I can’t scold you for this. I made the promise myself, so I won’t go back on my word. Continue handling the mine as you see fit. I won’t bring it up again."

"Thank you, Your Excellency."

"It’s your fortune, a reward for your patriotism. You were lucky."

At the president’s words, declaring the matter settled, Han Cheong-ho’s expression darkened.

Sensing the shift, Kim Jung-rim quickly spoke up.

"Your Excellency, what are you saying? This isn’t just any mineral—it’s molybdenum, a strategic national resource! It shouldn’t be privately owned!"

"Enough."

Park Jung-hwan raised his hand.

His expression was firm.

"This is a matter I have already approved. For the next ten years, no one is to interfere with whatever he mines from that site."

"Ten years, Your Excellency…?"

"Yes."

The room fell silent as all eyes turned to Tae-soo.

'So he had already secured the president’s approval for a decade-long mining right? This man is incredibly resourceful.'

'An exceptional young man. He anticipated the future and planned meticulously.'

'Interesting.'

Park Jung-hwan nodded.

"I personally granted him a ten-year exclusive mining right. And after ten years, the molybdenum mine will belong to the nation."

"Ugh…"

Han Cheong-ho let out a small groan.

He clenched his fists tightly and glared at Tae-soo.

Watching him, Park Tae-jong and Jang Joon-yong had the same thought at the same time.

'So Han Cheong-ho had already set his sights on the molybdenum mine and spent money trying to secure it. Serves him right.'

Meanwhile, Kim Jung-rim, who had also received a share of that money, felt himself sitting on a bed of thorns.

"Your Excellency, if I may…"

Kim Jung-rim hesitated, trying once again to plead his case with Park Jung-hwan.

But before he could finish, Park raised his hand to silence him.

"Enough. Everyone take note—this matter is settled, and I don’t want to hear another word about it."

"…Understood."

Left with no choice, Kim Jung-rim backed down.

Meanwhile, Han Cheong-ho shot Tae-soo a venomous glare, his frustration reaching its peak.

Noticing the rising tension, Park Tae-jong swiftly changed the subject.

"Your Excellency, I’ve been hearing troubling reports from the Middle East. How do you plan to handle the situation?"

At those words, Park Jung-hwan’s expression turned serious.

The issue of the molybdenum mine was now the least of his concerns.

"That’s precisely why I came all the way to Pohang. I specifically called both Geumsan and Cheongil here as well."

"I see."

Park Tae-jong let out a quiet sigh of admiration.

'Kang Tae-soo was right. His instincts were spot on—His Excellency really did come down here because of a Middle Eastern matter.'

It was truly remarkable.

How could such a young man predict events so accurately?

Park Jung-hwan furrowed his brows.

"The Saudi royal family sent me a letter of protest. It’s unofficial, of course, but given the circumstances, I can’t just ignore it."

Everyone turned their attention to him.

"Saudi Arabia is one of the rare Middle Eastern nations that has established direct diplomatic relations with South Korea. It’s also a dominant oil producer in the region. I have no intention of letting this matter slide."

Gulp.

The tension in the room escalated as everyone swallowed dryly.

Park Jung-hwan had finally drawn his sword.