chapter 143
“ha.”
The president of Korea lamented at length.
“Why, at this point in time… … .”
The public’s approval rating for the soon-to-be-retired president was quite high.
During his tenure as president, Korea boasted an incredible rate of economic growth that made it impossible to believe that it was an advanced country and rapidly developed its national power.
Of course, that’s thanks to Seron’s frantic growth of business focused on exports and a large number of overseas companies moving to Korea, but in any case, Korea has never experienced anything like an economic downturn during his tenure as president.
The word “resource barren” is laughable. It is self-sufficient not only in various metal resources and rare earth elements, but also in the large farmland in Central Africa, where food is self-sufficient, and now, oil.
Even North Korea has a revolutionary government and is actively exchanging with friendly countries, so it seems that all concerns of South Korea have disappeared.
Such a president was called a lucky man in the political world.
I just stayed still and said that everything was resolved.
Anyway, since everything was going smoothly, I was able to leave office while listening to the evaluation of the president who developed the economy and achieved the grand integration of the two Koreas if the term of office that was not long left went well, but the global economic crisis suddenly erupted from China.
Even when corrupt Chinese politicians quarreled, it was unbelievable, but the aftermath grew beyond imagination, and the economy was hit directly, and Chinese companies began to go bankrupt.
“What is China doing now?”
The chief secretary said in a cold sweat.
“We are releasing public money indefinitely to keep businesses alive.”
“Then can you stop it?”
China is a really ugly country, but Korea’s exports to China account for a whopping 25 percent.
Of course, for a country that makes a living from exports, the collapse of China, which accounts for a quarter of total exports, was nothing short of great bad news.
That’s why the president hoped that China would survive somehow.
However, the chief of staff broke the president’s expectations mercilessly.
“… If it was in the beginning, it would have been possible, but it will be difficult now.”
“I heard you gave up the money.”
“The problem is the exchange rate. Now, as foreign investors fled China en masse, the yuan was plummeting, and here, the yuan is being released into the market in large quantities with public funds, further fueling the plunge. In that case, companies may be able to prevent renminbi debt, but foreign currency debt, such as the dollar, will rather increase due to the exchange rate, and performance will deteriorate.”
The president let out a long sigh and said.
“ha. How the hell did you get to this point?”
If Limu hadn’t gone bankrupt from the beginning… No, even if bankruptcy occurred, this situation would not have happened if the Chinese government had shown to the market that it had the will and power to stop it by responding early.
However, starting with Limu, many companies began to collapse one after another, and after that, they intervened in the market in a hurry.
The bankruptcy of Domino’s by Chinese companies was only a matter of time.
Of course, the Domino bankruptcy of such Chinese companies will lead to Korea.
“How about our companies?”
“Fortunately, thanks to the IMF experience, Korean companies know that they need money to deal with economic crises, so they have accumulated a significant amount of internal reserves. In addition, the IMF was directly hit by Korea, but this is the aftermath of the explosion in China, in other words, it was hit by a stray bullet, so the damage will be much less.”
The president let out a sigh of relief when the chief of staff said that it was not a direct hit and that both companies and Korea have stamina that is incomparable to that of the IMF.
“Fortunately out of misfortune.”
“But even then, the damage would be enormous. Exports to China will drastically decrease and performance will deteriorate, and investor sentiment will shrink, causing many companies to go bankrupt due to liquidity or reduce staff through honorary retirement. Of course, if the number of unemployed is mass-produced, it will have a great negative impact on the economy.”
The chief of staff said that it would not be as bad as the IMF, but it would be a huge hit.
“… Should companies survive?”
“You have to live. Only then can we maintain jobs that are directly related to people’s livelihoods. but… We cannot save them all.”
At the words of the chief of staff, the president closed his eyes and said.
“I’ll have to cover the boulder.”
Save companies that can be saved by investing money, and abandon companies that are unlikely to work.
It was impossible to save everyone, so it was a time of choice and concentration.
“Let’s start with the first group. A company that can survive on its own even without government support.”
At those words, both the president and the chief of staff thought of one company first.
It is not the best company in Korea, but it is a one-top company that is unrivaled in financial stability and business feasibility.
“Seron.”
“The Seron Group.”
It was Seron.
The chief of staff said while looking at the papers related to Seron.
“Seron has an extremely low debt ratio and abundant liquidity. ah. Come to think of it, as if they had foreseen this situation, they recently disposed of all the real estate, so the barn is probably overflowing and bursting. So much so that when someone asks me which company will last the longest in a situation where all companies in Korea are going to fail, I will pick Seron.”
“Let’s rule out Saeron, because if Saeron goes bankrupt, all Korean companies will have already gone bankrupt.”
The president and the chief of staff classified strong companies as the first group, starting with the taxon.
It was easy so far.
It’s literally a company that can be left alone.
The problem is the second group who needs to be saved right away and the third group who will give up on saving.
“This company… ha.”
In fact, the fate of companies is at stake in this one choice, so it hurts.
“Let’s live. Gangwon Province has a weak industrial base, and if a mid-sized company of this size collapses, the local economy will collapse.”
“All right.”
“This company… Third group.”
The president and his aides continue to classify companies like that.
At that time, the president who checked the name of a company said with a sigh.
“Yuwon Motors.”
One of the top five automobile companies in Korea.
But it’s five fingers because it’s good to say, in fact, it was a two-strong-three-weak structure in which two companies occupied more than 80 percent and the remaining three companies shared with foreign cars.
Of course, even so, it is a large company that boasts annual sales of 4 trillion won, befitting a finished car company.
If Yuwon Motors collapsed, it would surely deal a huge blow to the local economy.
Therefore, it is correct to save it originally, but the problem was that Yuwon Motors was always a company that was in danger even if it was not this economic crisis from China.
“Even if we invest money here, it would only waste time… … .”
“What shall we do, Mr. President?”
“Isn’t there a company that can take over Yuone Motors and save it?”
“Of course not. Investor sentiment has completely shrunk, so we are busy locking up the barn. Isn’t it even Yuwon Motors, a company that is in the red for 10,000 years?”
“Whoa.”
Are you going to rob them right now or are you carrying them with you in mind for the local economy?
At that time, when the president repeated Django after Django.
“hmm?”
Commissioner Lee Jin-young, who was attending the meeting, looked at his cell phone and said with a puzzled expression.
“uh?”
Then another official said.
“Chief Lee, we are in a meeting.”
“Now, wait a minute. This is Chairman Han Ji-hyeok’s call.”
At those words, everyone’s heads turned to Lee Jin-young.
“Chairman Seron Han?”
“yes. What should I do?”
The president nodded and said.
“Take it.”
“All right.”
Lee Jin-young received the call like that.
“Yes, Chairman. yes yes Even if it’s not, I’m going to have a meeting about it… yes?”
Jinyoung Lee said with a surprised expression.
“Are you asking if there are any companies worth acquiring right now?”
At those words, the president said with his eyes shining.
“A company to acquire?! Ask Commissioner Lee and Chairman Han for their understanding and switch to a speaker phone!”
At those words, Lee Jin-young asked Han Ji-hyeok for his understanding and switched to the speaker phone, and Han Ji-hyeok’s voice was heard.
-ah! Mr. President, I’m sorry during the meeting.
“No, no. hahahaha. The housekeeper of the country contacted me, but of course I should. Are you looking for a company to acquire by the way?”
-yes.
“Honestly, it’s a bit embarrassing to say it with my mouth, but isn’t this the right time to invest?”
– Of course it is. So it’s taking over.
“yes?”
– If even Korean companies collapse one after another, wouldn’t the economy be shaken with a large number of unemployed people? I happen to have a lot of money in my bank account, so I’m trying to accept some, if not all, of this.
At those words, the president said with a moved expression.
“So, you mean, you think about the economy of the country, not about public opinion, and spend money?”
-what… To be precise, it’s a combination of both, because the bad timing for investment means that you can buy it cheaply.
“If that was his intention, he would have come later. If it completely collapses and becomes unrecoverable, you will be able to buy it much cheaper.”
-uh… Actually, it is, but for some reason I can’t just leave it alone until then.
“Why can’t I just leave you alone?”
-… There is just such a thing. Should it be called a debt of the heart? Anyway, that’s not important right now, is it? Do you have a company to acquire?
At that, the president thought.
‘That’s an excuse. Could it be that he was worried that his political colors would fade by helping the ruling party, the current government? Or will the entrepreneur be accused of not putting profit first?’
I don’t know the exact reason, but the president is convinced that the debt of the heart that Han Ji-hyeok said is an excuse.
What is it that Han Ji-hyeok owes his heart to?
Han Ji-hyeok is one of the most likable entrepreneurs.
‘In my political life, Han Ji-hyeok is truly a generous tree.’
It’s not enough to raise the national economic growth rate throughout the term, but now it’s not enough to help the government’s defense even in this kind of economic crisis.
Han Ji-hyeok, the president’s luck itself.
“Then I will appreciate it and make a proposal. How about Yuwon Motors?”
-Yuwon Motors? The 10,000-year deficit company?
“That said, it is a company with decent technology. If we do well, we can create synergy with Seron.”
-… Seron is focused on light industry and raw materials, but synergy with finished car companies?
“Hmmm. How are you anyway?”
-hmm. it’s a car hmm? Ohh? Might not be too bad?
Han Ji-hyeok, who had been muttering something to himself for a while, spoke.
-okay. Yuwon Motors and Seron will take over.
“Oh oh! thank you! Chairman Han!”
– However, there are conditions. Please cancel the debt as much as possible, you know I’m not doing it 100 percent, right? Just do some housekeeping, and I’ll take over for a lump sum.
“That’s about it, of course. ah. Then how about this company?”
The president explained about another medium-sized company like that.
-That company isn’t bad either. Actually, there are many fields to advance into, but I did not enter because I was concerned about opposition from existing domestic companies. Don’t just call me like this, make a list and send it to me, then I’ll look at it and review it.
“I understand, Chairman Han.”
After the phone call, the president said.
“You’re a patriot, you’re a patriot.”
“That is correct. At a time like this, private companies step forward and join in protecting the company.”
“great. Now that Seron has come forward, let’s classify a new fourth group. It’s mostly companies that want to save life like Yuwon and regret giving up. That makes it a lot easier to categorize.”
In the situation where Han Ji-hyeok gave it up like this, I have a conscience, because I can’t propose real abandoned companies.
“ruler! Let’s get started!”
* * *
“President! The revolutionary government said that it would be difficult to repay the loan due to the soaring exchange rate, but how… … .”
I interrupted the CEO of Seron Construction and said.
“They say they will extend the maturity date. Freeze interest. And tell them that the trauma will continue as well.”
The only places North Korea borrowed money from were South Korea, the United States and Seron.
Here, South Korea and the United States provided long-term loans in exchange for denuclearization, and short-term loans are only private loans, but if I freeze them here, they will be able to endure enough.
“next!”
In my words, the president of SR Electronics said.
“Demand declined as the consumer goods market froze.”
“Recover the skeleton and reduce production.”
“There are also partners… … .”
“Say that you will reduce some of the skeleton fee you lent to the partner company. Instead, we put a condition on maintaining the employment of human employees.”
“All right.”
“next!”
At those words, Kang Chan-soo, president of Seron Rental, which focuses on skeleton rental this time, said.
“Recently, the number of unemployed has increased, and people are flocking to the part-time job market. However, all the empty seats are already occupied by skeletons, so what should we do?”
In the meantime, thanks to the economic boom and energy purchases from Seron, the number of part-time workers has decreased and the skeleton part-time job system has been dug into the place.
“Retrieve the Alba system skeleton. In addition, long-term skeleton rentals are also temporarily suspended. You have to live with people first.”
Thanks to that, I made a lot of money, but now people are suffering from a lack of jobs, so now it’s time to give up the place of skeletons to people.
This is the current situation anyway. Temporary job losses were created as companies whose business performance deteriorated due to the economic crisis cut their employees.
Of course, when the economy gets back on track, it will go back to normal, so it’s enough to introduce the part-time job system again.
Or take this opportunity to dispose of the part-time job system itself and leave only long-term rentals that allow people to freely employ skeletons.
Anyway, the key right now is to minimize my social aftermath by receiving as much as possible from the public that companies are having a hard time in the aftermath of the Chinese economic crisis, and individuals are having a hard time as a result.
Only then will Korea be able to recover more quickly after the economic crisis has passed.
“All right.”
I continued to say that I instructed the government to accept all the social side effects of the economic crisis by reducing the number of skeletons when demand decreased and providing skeleton jobs when there was a shortage of jobs.
“And then?”
Then, at the time when all the presidents who attended the meeting were silent, Kim Deok-bae, who was quiet, spoke.
“By the way, Chairman.”
“Please speak.”
“Is there any reason for us to do this? In an economic crisis, the man with the money is king. And we have a lot of money. I just waited longer and picked out the best assets of a company that was completely destroyed. … .”
“If that happens, too many people will be harmed in the meantime.”
There is a large number of unemployed, and social side effects are growing as a result.
“It’s a cold word, but it’s a bigger gain for us that way. The government and bankrupt companies will lay off all their employees on their own, so we can reap huge benefits by filling the vacancies with only skeletons.”
At that, I said with a firm expression.
“I don’t see anything like that.”
It wasn’t intentional, but it’s an economic crisis caused by me, so I have to deal with it as much as possible.
You can also make an image by saying that you prevented the economic crisis.
do you know
Thanks to this achievement, three letters of my name will be inscribed on the Great Man.
anyway.
“I know what you mean, but our base is Korea. And if Korea collapses, public opinion is also in danger. So, please refrain from expressing such dissatisfaction.”
In fact, the current disagreement between Deokbae Kim and I was discussed in advance.
In an economic crisis where the buyer has the upper hand, Saeron holding cash is like a king.
However, if such a public opinion waits a little longer, it may be dissatisfying for company executives who do not know the details of taking over companies that can be bought at a low price.
So, I directed it in order to preemptively express my dissatisfaction through the mouth of vice-president Kim Deok-bae, and to block the noise that would occur elsewhere in advance in response to that dissatisfaction.
“Anyway, if we take over companies that continue to stumble like this and balance jobs, Korea will manage to survive. and… From then on, it’s time for a real party, Vice President.”
“yes.”
“Why don’t I know that because everyone wants the Seron Group to do well? Of course I know, waiting pays off. But it doesn’t have to be done in Korea, right?”
I said with a grin.
“I will hold on while saving Korea. In the meantime, Chinese companies will be completely destroyed, as the vice chairman said.”
Unlike Korean companies that I will take over and save before they are destroyed, they go bankrupt because there is no buyer, and even employees are laid off in large numbers.
“I am aiming for that. An angel in Korea, a devil in China.”
“ah!”
Deokbae Kim said with a smile.
“You were targeting a Chinese company.”
“yes. Due to this economic crisis from China, the international production chain that connects the world’s factories from China will collapse. In other words, the global industrial structure itself will be reorganized. At this time, the Seron will take its place.”
I said with a confident expression.
“Vast labor force and abundant capital. Seron is the best alternative to replace the broken China.”
It’s like this, it’s literally the best benefit.
It occupies China’s vacancy and becomes the central axis of the world economy through manufacturing, and its influence in Korea is overwhelmingly increased.
“Lack of skills? Then you can buy a technology company. Chinese technology has improved a lot, right? Acquire a Chinese company and get that technology.”
China acquires a company with foreign technology and steals the stolen technology.
“Since we are preparing to acquire Yu-One Motors, we will take over a Chinese automobile company and bring in technology from Yu-One Motors, bringing everything we can bring, without any mercy. Vice-President then? I will never stop you, so move as you want to move. So do others.”
At my words, the presidents of the Seron Group spoke with their eyes shining.
“Good?”
“This is my chance to show off my skills.”
I looked at the bosses full of morale and said with a satisfied smile.
“As Korean companies were sold abroad at a bargain price during the IMF in the past, this time we are buying them. If we fill China’s place quickly, the global economic crisis will end quickly, and at the same time, we can benefit enormously. So let’s show it.”
I looked back at the president and said.
“The potential of our theory.”