The New Year of 2010 had arrived.
Grandfather still hadn't returned from Vietnam, so I spent the New Year in Captain Kang's conference room, cooking and eating ramen with President Han.
"Isn't ramen a bit much for New Year's? Why don't we just go out for a proper meal?"
"But it's New Year's, so I even added dumplings. And what's wrong with ramen?"
Slurp!
A brief moment of complaint, and then it was over.
We devoured the ramen as if inhaling it, washing it down with a refreshing glass of cola.
"How's the treasury project coming along?"
"We're starting with Japan first. We're referencing the projects conducted during the Kobe earthquake to create our plan."
"Don't touch the yen. Focus on targeting manufacturing companies."
"But won't the yen fall when the economic crisis hits?"
"The yen is too unpredictable. It's actually easier to forecast corporate stock prices."
Immediately after the Great East Japan Earthquake, the yen had fallen.
But over time, it began to rise instead.
This was partly because Japanese funds that had gone overseas returned home, and partly because the Japanese government implemented several policies to defend the yen.
However, as I recalled, Japanese stock prices had fallen more than 20%.
So, targeting stocks rather than the yen would yield greater profits.
"Very well, we'll proceed that way. But shouldn't we start paying attention to the local elections as well? Can the People's Economic Party achieve meaningful results again?"
"This time, we need to continue expanding our base around Gyeonggi Province. The good news is that the People's Economic Party is extremely popular there, so re-election should be achievable. There's also a higher chance of winning in more regions than the last election."
In Gyeonggi Province, the People's Economic Party was receiving more support than the two major parties.
It wasn't surprising — factories from various global groups were being built across Gyeonggi, and Taewoo Group's semiconductor and automobile plants were newly established there, so the province was growing by the day.
"Still, if Governor Choi Jae-seok aims for the next target, shouldn't the People's Economic Party score meaningful results beyond Gyeonggi as well?"
"That's why we've been quietly running promotion campaigns on social media and portal sites. We should be able to gain at least an additional three to five percent of the vote."
"Is that enough? We need to use more aggressive methods to expand the party's base."
The People's Economic Party was different from before.
Its name recognition had clearly risen, and its support had strengthened. With a solid regional base in Gyeonggi Province, the party was ready to become a major political force.
"So this time, I'm thinking of using a more provocative approach."
"Do you mean negative campaigning?"
"In the past, prosecutors' lines or Captain Kang's staff had to run around collecting information, but those days are gone. Information now comes to us on its own if we just stay still."
"You mean via social media and messaging apps?"
More than half of South Korea's population was using services provided by Taewoo Group. Most smartphone users relied on social networks and messaging programs, and the data centers that stored that information were operated by Taewoo Group.
"Isn't the world wonderful? We can now sit and obtain information. Of course, it's possible because it's Taewoo Group."
"Isn't that too risky? Even if people only learn that Taewoo Group accessed politicians' information, it could cause problems we can't handle."
"As long as it's not exposed, we're fine. Besides, we won't act directly. If we can make the big parties smear each other, nobody will suspect us."
As President Han had pointed out, it was indeed a risky undertaking.
But as long as we didn't get caught, it posed no real problem.
Taewoo Group's network system was so robust that even the South Korean government couldn't penetrate it, making this operation feasible.
"To act without arousing suspicion, we'll need to be quite meticulous."
"In reality, we only need to leak a very small amount of information to the major parties. They'll serve as the megaphone themselves. Of course, we'll also use SNS algorithms to help the rumors spread more effectively."
We weren't talking about recklessly exploiting personal information.
Only enough to fan the flames of already circulating rumors was required.
And if we destroyed any evidence showing that we had accessed information, there would be no way for gossip or accusations to surface.
"So the strategy is to amplify the major parties' corruption while packaging the People's Economic Party in a positive light?"
"Public disgust with the political establishment has already gone too far. Citizens want a new party, and the People's Economic Party could be that alternative, couldn't it?"
"The upcoming election is expected to be extremely close. To shift the dynamics into a three-way contest, the party must present a grand vision."
Negative campaigning alone wouldn't win the election.
To capture public opinion, a compelling vision was necessary to secure victory across the board.
"I hear this election is attracting strong interest from younger voters. That's probably why both major parties are offering numerous job creation pledges. But which party has achieved results comparable to the People's Economic Party?"
"However, most job creation is happening only in Gyeonggi Province. While support there will be massive, other regions may not respond as strongly."
"We need to show hope that other regions can benefit just as much as Gyeonggi."
Some people referred to elections as a kind of fraud.
They said it was a contest to see which politician could best deceive voters using the packaging of hope and expectation.
So all we had to do was provide attractive packaging for the People's Economic Party.
If the party's politicians used it wisely, they could sway votes.
"It's possible if we push the attraction of new factories toward the People's Economic Party."
"Even just the TDK battery plant, a new data center, and an iPhone small-device factory could turn voters' attention, couldn't they?"
"Unlike the major parties that only make promises verbally, if the People's Economic Party shows action, that image alone could be enough to succeed in this election."
This local election would serve as a springboard for the People's Economic Party.
It would also solidify Governor Choi Jae-seok's position as a presidential candidate.
***
A few days later.
A very important guest came to Korea to meet me.
I personally went to the airport to greet him — it was George, the CEO of the Quantum Fund.
"Thank you for making the long trip. I should have gone to the U.S. to meet you, my apologies."
"Please, don't worry. If Chairman Kim wants to meet, I'm ready to fly to the South Pole. You've brought us so much profit, how could I not come anywhere?"
George's words were sincere.
He was genuinely grateful and seemed to enjoy meeting me.
"Shall we start with a meal first?"
"Anywhere you guide me, Chairman Kim, is most welcome! And I assume we'll discuss business over the meal?"
I responded with a smile.
George, somewhat boisterous, hopped into the car.
"Let's go quickly. I'm burning with curiosity about what business you've summoned me for."
"It's a venture you'll find very appealing."
We arrived at the restaurant operated by Captain Kang.
Only after finishing a simple meal did I get to the point.
"Would you be interested in engaging in a currency war with a nation again?"
"Ah! You're bringing up my favorite kind of business discussion. I'm always ready for that. Which target are you considering?"
"Starting with Greece, moving through Southern Europe, and ideally the entirety of Europe. Isn't that fitting for your reputation, Mr. George?"
"My mouth waters even though I just ate."
George gulped down a glass of water, swallowing hard with anticipation.
His face was flushed, almost as if it were about to explode, and he gestured impatiently for me to continue.
"According to Taewoo Group's analysis, Greece is expected to face the threat of bankruptcy within one to two years at the latest."
"I've heard that tourist numbers in Greece have dropped significantly since the Lehman crisis. But a national bankruptcy? Really?"
"We anticipate a financial crisis in Greece even greater than the IMF crisis South Korea experienced."
"Europe is currently tied together by the euro. If Greece falls, Southern Europe and eventually all of Europe will be shaken. Ha ha ha."
George immediately grasped the situation.
He was one of the most knowledgeable people in the world about currency markets, and he had already executed countless operations like this.
"The scale could be even larger than you imagine."
"The bigger the stakes, the better, isn't that right? And it's a business I'm conducting with Chairman Kim — it would be odd if the stakes were small."
"The minimum stake will likely be $300 billion. Because the stakes are so large, the preparatory work will take about a year."
Three hundred billion dollars exceeded 300 trillion won.
Even taking half of that would be 150 trillion won — more than enough to secure the financial stability of Taewoo Group.
"A year of preparation isn't too long. The real question is how and from where we'll gather the stake."
"Quantum Fund only needs to contribute the entry fee. Taewoo Group will fully cover any remaining funds."
"You're not doing this because of a lack of money or planning — there can be only one reason you want me at the forefront. I take the lead, correct?"
George read my thoughts immediately.
Having conducted several ventures together, he instinctively knew his role.
"I want Quantum Fund to lead this project. Taewoo Securities will likely participate as part of a consortium."
"Whoever serves as the public face doesn't matter. But can Taewoo Securities alone gather the necessary funds?"
"Taewoo Securities will launch a major fundraising campaign, and we plan to use all of Taewoo Group's internal reserves. If that's still insufficient, we'll seek support from the Saudi sovereign wealth fund as well."
"I'm not the one worried, but isn't this an extremely bold move?"
It seemed even George thought it was reckless.
After all, it was an all-or-nothing gamble.
Such a move was something a leader of a massive organization like Taewoo Group should never undertake.
But I had absolute confidence in victory, which allowed me to make such a bold decision.
"This is a project we have complete confidence in."
"If Chairman Kim is confident, Quantum Fund will take some risks as well. We'll bring in all available funds and invest in this project."
"Once this project is complete, Mr. George, you may well be called a devil across Europe."
"What better nickname could there be among Wall Street investors than 'devil'? Ha ha ha."
We raised our glasses and mapped out the detailed plan.
As expected from someone seasoned in such ventures, George devised the plan almost immediately.
The remaining details would be finalized by sending President Han on a business trip to the U.S., and with that, today's meeting came to a close.