Chapter 126: <Coconut Bank>

After the press conference, Woosung returned to the office and faced his employees.

“It finally begins. Please do your best to make Coconut Pay a success.”

Jang Gwangchul asked Woosung, “But are you really thinking about forming a bank too? Banking is a very different level of business than just making a transaction system. It will not be easy to go around the Separation of Bank and Commerce Act.”

Woosung knew this as well, but he also believed he could do it.

“I am not saying it is something that must be done. As I said at the conference, if there is something we can do to make it more convenient and beneficial for the public, then we must consider it. Once I am certain of our technology and idea, I will do it.”

“What about the law?”

“You know I have influences high up in the government. It won’t be an issue. Besides, money can buy anything.”

People sitting around him frowned bitterly, but they had to admit that it was true.

Woosung told Hong Soobum, “Please get ready to do the same thing in China. Most of the world is covered by PayPal, but China is different. We have a chance there.”

“Alright.”

“I will make a call to Mahwacin to let him know. I already paid him, so he will be helpful.” Woosung then looked around the room. “Reduction in fee. With this, we can gain the public’s trust. This will make it easier to launch the mobile carrier business because the people will believe in our promise of reducing mobile cost.”

Jang Gwangchul, Hong Soobum, Park Byungki, and Yoon Gihwan listened silently.

“We will then become a company that no one can ignore.”

Jang Gwangchul replied, “We are big enough now that no one ignores us. People know how many Blue S2 we sold and how many Coconut Talk users we have.”

“We are indeed looking at the net profit of 100 million dollars this year.”

“Haha, exactly. It could increase more based on our performance so far.”

Woosung lowered his voice and replied, “But it’s still not enough. We are just beginning.”

Jang Gwangchul shut his mouth. Woosung was clearly not satisfied as usual.

“KND’s next goal is taking over Qualcomm, and then ARM. We need to become the biggest AP company.”

AP (Application Processor).

It was a very high-level technology.

Everyone nodded solemnly. They believed in Woosung’s vision for the future.

Woosung ordered, “Now, you are all free to go. Vice president Jang, please stay so we can talk in private.”

When everyone else left, Woosung said to Jang Gwangchul, “As you know, the approval rating for the current government is less than 50%. The government wants to use us to improve the situation. After the credit card fee reduction and the mobile cost reduction, they will become more popular.”

“So we should use the government as well, but if we do that, we may become a target by the next government…”

“So we need to be ready. We must accomplish the big projects on our own without the current government’s help. I have placed an ad looking for a business partner.”

“But there aren’t any companies good enough to be our partner.”

“Many of our competitions will still contact us. They will want to know what kind of technologies we have.”

“I better get the internal information team ready.”

“We need to protect what we have at all cost.”

Jang Gwangchul nodded gravely.

***

Blue House state council meeting.

Seoul Mayor Oh Hoon was making a passionate speech.

“Why do you think the financial crisis happened? It was because of the greedy banks and their poorly run operations. New regulations? Do you really think that will work?” It was a rhetorical question. He continued, “No, I don’t think so. It’s because of the lack of competition. We need to change this.”

Lee Parksung narrowed his eyes and looked at Oh Hoon. He could tell Mayor Oh wanted something.

Lee Parksung asked, “What does everyone think?”

The chairman of the financial service commission answered, “It is true that the world is changing. As technology improves, we need to follow suit and change the financial world too, but the basic principle of the bank system must remain the same. If Coconut Bank can guarantee to stay within this guideline, I agree that it is a good idea.”

Oh Hoon added, “That’s right.”

After a few more opinions from other chairmen, it was finally time for Lee Parksung to make a decision. He asked for a break and returned to his private office.

In his room were two reports on his desk.

“General human resources report.”

“Second quarter performance analysis report.”

He read the first report.

“Seoul Mayor Oh Hoon.”

“Most likely to win the upcoming provincial re-election.”

“Made it public that he plans to run for the presidency in the future.”

“Supports the fee reduction project.”

Lee Parksung murmured.

“He sounds very ambitious, but Sunghyun said he can be trusted…I wonder if he will really become the President in the future.”

The report on Oh Hoon was clean.

“It would be great if Oh Hoon becomes the next President, and then Sunghyun next.”

Lee Sunghyun read the second report.

“Fee reduction project For 75% Against 20%”

“Coconut Bank For 80% Against 17%”

“Kang Woosung’s popularity increasing steadily.”

Lee Parksung’s eyes sparkled. He stood up and returned to the meeting.

That day, various news made the headlines.

“Government supports the internet banking project.”

“Korean transaction company to be formed similarly to PayPal.”

“CEO Kang Woosung’s Coconut Bank: Will it be actively aided by the government?”

Towards the end of the day, more breaking news came up.

[Exclusive] KND plans to build another factory in Gimpo worth a billion dollars.

[Exclusive] Thousands of jobs to be created in Gimpo, which will positively affect the real estate market in the city.

[Exclusive] Coconut Bank now officially confirmed to be in plans.