Chapter 164: <Richest of them all>

The next day.

Promises made during the CEOs business meeting were quickly reported on the news.

“Ahyun Auto plans to hire 10% more workers than last year.”

“MG Group increases R&D budget by 2 billion dollars.”

“Daeyang Group plans to increase their employment opportunities by 20%.”

Jang Gwangchul asked Woosung, “Shouldn’t we announce something too? Like how many people we will hire?”

“Release a number that is bigger than Daeyang. R&D budget should be about 10 billion dollars if we combine all of our companies. It should be more than Ahyun, MG, and TK combined.” Woosung thought for a second and continued, “The headline of the news article should be this: ‘KND to have bigger budget and employment number than all three other big companies combined.'”

“Haha, good one.”

“If we get into the auto business, we will be on the top of the food chain.”

“Auto?”

“Yeah. I was thinking about Sungyong Auto…but the worker’s union in that company is too strong. They go on strike all the time if they don’t get what they want.”

“Isn’t Sungyong the one that got its technology stolen by China?”

“That’s right. There was a rumor that President Lee Parksung was involved in it.”

“What? Really?”

“A rumor, but with no basis.”

“Did you learn this from your dream?”

“Haha, no. Anyway, if we take over Sungyong and work with Tesla to create electric cars…”

“It would be incredible!”

“And that’s not the end.”

Jang Gwangchul knew what Woosung was thinking.

“We will use Coconut I to develop a self-driving car?”

Woosung nodded. “It will, of course, be difficult to release anytime soon, but just the fact that we are planning on it will be a great promo for our company.”

Jang Gwangchul nodded in agreement.

Woosung continued, “We could become bigger than Ahyun Auto.”

“Alright. I will look into it. It shouldn’t be hard. Sungyong just filed bankruptcy recently, so they will be happy to get rid of it.”

“I would say 500 million dollars is a fair price.”

***

“President Kang Woosung takes over Sungyong Auto for 500 million dollars.”

“He plans to turn it into an electric car specialty company.”

“All Sungyong employees who were let go to be re-hired.”

The media went wild over the news. In just a year, Woosung bought four companies. Daenam Constructions, TK Communication, ANIX, and Sungyong Auto.

Finally, the show “60 Minutes” released the preview of a special episode.

“President Kang Woosung. The truth about his success.”

It was a provocative title. The producers were given a strict order of keeping the content a secret, but Woosung still managed to unravel the content of this episode. However, Woosung didn’t stop it from being aired. When the preview was released, the internet went wild. Still, Woosung didn’t do anything about it. The government, however, saw this as an opportunity. The FTC announced that it will be investigating KND.

KND headquarter was hectic.

Jang Gwangchul asked worriedly, “The tax audit, prosecutors, and now this? This isn’t fair. Three investigations in a year are not normal.”

“Well, we did grow faster than any other companies in history.”

“I know, but still…”

“They’re obviously intimidated, especially since I have been spending a lot of time with Lee Myungin.”

“Gosh, it’s so hard to run a business in Korea.”

“Then should we finally move to America?”

“H…huh?”

“Move the headquarter to America. US would welcome us with open arms.”

Jang Gwangchul raised his voice worriedly, “But that would make us a traitor in Korea. Are you okay with that?”

“Haha, why? We will move because we are being treated unfairly. We have a good reason. The public will understand. Besides, our company isn’t dependent on the Korean market. We can afford to lose it if necessary.”

Jang Gwangchul swallowed and replied, “You are serious about this.”

“This is the only way the government will realize how angry we are. With the recent purchase of Sungyong, our company is the center of the Korean economy. If we move, it will be a huge deal.”

“…”

“Who do you think the media and the public will side with on this battle? Us, or our corrupt government?”

Jang Gwangchul didn’t say anything. It sounded like Woosung was right. He ordered the PR department to announce the news.

***

11 pm.

Woosung invited Lee Sunghyun for a quick meeting.

Lee Sunghyun complained, “Such a short notice. Where are your manners? You will lose all your friends if you continue to act like this.”

“Haha, that’s okay. I’m making lots of money, which is more important.”

“W…what?”

“And from now on, please show a little more respect. I think I deserve it now.”

Behind Woosung were bodyguards who were all clad with bulging muscles. They all looked at Lee Sunghyun sternly.

Lee Sunghyun looked away nervously.

Woosung asked, “So you have used the Revenue Agency, prosecutors, and now FTC to find dirt on me. Did you really think I wouldn’t know you’re behind all this?”

Lee Sunghyun just stared at him, dumbfounded.

Woosung continued, “I am as big as Daeyang now. Probably not as politically influential, but I still have very good sources for information.”

“Oh, I think you misunderstood…”

“I know exactly who was behind the ’60 Minutes’ episode.”

Lee Sunghyun suddenly felt thirsty. He was shocked and speechless.

Woosung continued, “So how can I trust you and work with you? I have been patient but this has gone far enough.”

“S…so you will really move your headquarter to US?”

“Probably. The American government is very interested. By the way, did you see the recent research poll? The public is on my side.”

Lee Sunghyun stuttered, “C…come on. You are scaring me.”

“I did all I can. If the government continues to treat me this way, there is nothing more I can do. I will have to go somewhere else.”

“P…President Kang!”

“The official announcement will be made tomorrow. The public will criticize the government harshly. As you know, losing me means Korea will lose brands like Coconut Talk, Blue S, space research, and Coconut I. You will also lose the benefit of reduced mobility fee. It will all be because of you and your father.”

Lee Sunghyun had to stop this.

If he didn’t…

The Korean economy would be in huge trouble.