Chapter 79
Chapter 79
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: Seven Monumental Agreements
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Ramzan had only one thing he wanted.
Joint technology development.
And building a production base on-site along with providing licenses.
In the defense industry, the most crucial element could be said to be the licenses. The equipment bought from the US could only be inspected by the US themselves—those licenses were priceless, unobtainable even for all the money in the world.
For example, the F-35 stealth fighters imported by South Korea could only be touched by authorized personnel. Touching them without permission would mean no future inspection services whatsoever.
He was worried about exactly that.
Naturally, Seo Kyung-hwan and I had no choice but to agree readily.
That was the whole reason we'd come here in the first place.
The drones developed by Vigang Systems were incredibly cheap compared to their performance. About twenty of them formed a single squadron. Among them, the lead drone—nicknamed the captain—came equipped with a compact radar similar to the Longbow radar on an Apache helicopter.
This radar allowed the nineteen other drones to lock onto targets, with AI software at the helm handling evasion from enemy bullets or missiles.
The more I thought about it, the more undeniable it was that this was an extraordinary piece of tech.
"We at Vigang Systems hope for your full investment. Moreover, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman are all extremely eager for the DJ01 as well."
I never imagined they'd reveal purchase intentions from other countries too.
This was beyond a jackpot—it was a mega jackpot.
The three-hour unofficial meeting resulted in seven major decisions.
First, Vigang Systems would establish an agreement with Saudi Arabia as a basic principle.
Second, Vigang Systems would build a local production base in Saudi Arabia and provide licenses. All related funding would be 100% invested under the name of Ramzan Abdul-Mann.
Third, they requested that the soon-to-be-launched DJ Group's local subsidiary be established in Saudi Arabia. In return, all conveniences would be guaranteed under the royal family's name.
Fourth, if DJ Group established a local subsidiary in Saudi Arabia, all tariffs would be exempted.
Fifth, if subsequent versions of the DJ01 were released, Saudi Arabia would get priority production rights.
Sixth, the crown prince and Ramzan Abdul-Mann promised to visit Korea within three months.
I quickly reviewed the decisions, but when I got to the seventh, my fingers started trembling.
Seventh.
Ramzan Abdul-Mann guarantees Kim Do-jun acquisition rights to South Energy. In return, Kim Do-jun is appointed CEO of South Energy effective immediately.
This was the most important one.
'South Energy? That's a company with some real clout in Saudi Arabia, right?'
Of course, Ramzan Abdul-Mann had taken a 15% stake in South Energy as insurance against unforeseen circumstances.
Even so, something utterly unbelievable had just happened.
I could swear to it.
I'd become the first Korean to be CEO of a foreign oil company with drilling rights.
It didn't have reserves that could influence the entire world, but possessing South Energy alone granted considerable freedom across the Middle East.
This meant that if reserves were suspected somewhere, we could drill under the Saudi royal family's name.
It felt like receiving an overwhelming gift just for delivering some drones.
"I consider myself good at reading people. I see CEO Do-jun here bringing us tremendous profits in the future. Naturally, the crown prince agrees."
"......"
At least he thought well of me—I was deeply moved.
Well, having received all this, I'd have to repay the favor when things really took off later.
South Korea's geopolitical position meant...
We didn't need to make enemies.
Just stay friendly with everyone and suck up all the sweet benefits.
I extended my hand to Ramzan.
But instead of shaking it, he rushed forward and planted a kiss on my cheek.
'What the fuck!'
I'm not gay!
I later learned that in Saudi Arabia, cheek kisses expressed intimacy and respect more than handshakes.
"Hahaha..."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "I wonder what Uncle's doing right now?"
Jin Seol-young pondered deeply to herself while eating dinner.
Uncle Do-jun's absence hit harder than she'd expected. In the mornings, he'd greet her in the living room with a bright smile: "Did my princess sleep well?" And when she got home from school, he'd rush out barefoot: "Welcome home, princess—how was school?"
The problem was, Uncle Do-jun wasn't home.
He'd gone on a business trip to Saudi Arabia for five days and four nights.
"Hiiing..."
Even sitting at her desk, she couldn't focus on studying.
It wasn't just Uncle Do-jun—even Sister Seol-hwa was nowhere to be seen.
Of course.
They'd taken the same flight.
She suddenly felt depressed.
She went to the kitchen, grabbed a tasty jelly, and approached Sister Yun-ah, who was watching TV.
"Want some jelly, Seol-young?"
"Yeah... I'm feeling down."
Seol-young had a habit of eating jelly when she was blue.
"The boss will be back soon. More importantly, check out the TV— the boss is on it."
"Huh? Really?"
On the screen, a pretty anchor delivered the news with a serious expression.
📰 Breaking News Breaking news! Domestic drone company Vigang Systems has signed massive contracts with five countries, including Saudi Arabia. This brings Korea's defense exports up about 55% compared to last year... The news, sourced directly from on-site contacts, had naturally set online communities ablaze.
💬 Post 📊 Stats Views: 3,182,467 | Recommendations: 770,507 | Comments: 140,833 — Title: Kim Do-jun Did It Again lolololol Whoa, is this for real? I absolutely hate those YouTubers who hype up national pride just to farm views, you know? But this? I have to admit it. This isn't the government landing the deal—it's one guy's achievement. Now I get why you all keep chanting "Kim Do-jun, Kim Do-jun." I see why retail investors follow him like cult fanatics. Honestly, with all the international news lately, everyone's freaking out about World War III. And what's always said? This country needs to stop obsessing over tanks and armored vehicles and invest nationally in drones. They've been screaming it daily. What's the point of billion-dollar gear? It gets wrecked by those toy drones buzzing around... Our country talks about building up drones, but no one's really paying attention, right? Luckily, the government seems to be waking up a bit. But compared to drone powerhouses, we're still behind, aren't we? And right in the middle of that, Kim Do-jun and Vigang Systems pull off something insane. Think about it. What kind of drone did Vigang develop this time? One soldier controls twenty of them simultaneously. Of course, real combat data will tell the full story, but this alone deserves praise. New tech only advances by trying bold stuff like this. Anyway, today Kim Do-jun showed us what elevating national prestige really means. — User1 Agreed; this is revolutionary level. — User2 Whoa, our tech level was this high? — User3 Anyone who looks down on Korea is Korean, right? Foreigners don't get why Koreans trash their own military lol. — User4 The only country that disses its own defense is its own people kekeke. — User5 But are drones really that powerful? — User6 You don't watch news? Sure, hypersonic missiles or nuclear subs look scarier. But those drones cost peanuts per unit. Hundreds of cheap ones smashing billions in gear—what's the cost-performance there? — User7 Yep. War is 100% about efficiency. Who bleeds cash first loses. Shells, missiles—same deal. — User8 Say a drone costs 9 million won each—1,000 of 'em is 9 billion. Modern tanks start at 10 billion easy. How many tanks do you think 1,000 drones wreck? — User9 Damn, the cost-performance is insane when you put it like that. The entire nation etched the three letters "Kim Do-jun" firmly into their minds.
Seol-young's gloom vanished as she watched her favorite uncle get all the praise. She just wanted to tell him the news as soon as possible.
"Hehe~"
Im Yun-ah, watching from the side, gently stroked Seol-young's soft hair.
"Seol-young's happy because the boss is getting praised?"
"Yes! I hope Uncle and Sister are happy."
"Yeah. Sister's throwing a celebration today too. He landed a bigger deal than we expected."
"How big?"
Just a first-year middle schooler.
After pondering how to explain, she said,
"Hmm, like wanting one doll for Christmas, but when you open the wrapping, there are 100 dolls inside?"
"Whoa... that's a ton when you think about it."
"Hohoho, the boss probably didn't expect it either. We only aimed to get a foothold in Saudi."
Im Yun-ah thought to herself.
People would be shocked by Vigang Systems' drone deal.
But they hadn't even started yet.
They didn't know about the South Energy acquisition.
And even more crucially...
The true nature of DJ02 under development.
The next version after the "new-model" DJ01, DJ02 was a fully unmanned drone untouched by human hands.
A fact known only to a select few insiders.
She couldn't even tell Seol-young, who was like family.
'CEO Do-jun's legend is far from over.'
Vigang Systems' determined R&D team was pulling another all-nighter today, refusing to clock out.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A banquet hosted by the Saudi royal family.
A sleek dress flowed perfectly along a woman's silhouette, moving like a living being.
Everyone stared in awe.
The smooth silk fabric gleamed subtly under the lights, accentuating her elegance even more.
The star was Jin Seol-hwa.
She linked arms with me on my right and stepped forward gracefully.
"I still prefer my uniform—it's the most comfortable."
"I-is that so? Still, you look especially stunning today."
She really did.
The first time I saw Jin Seol-hwa in a dress, I was too stunned to close my mouth.
Maybe it awakened some primal male instinct after all this time.
It was like something out of a drama or movie.
An overwhelming presence unlike any other.
"You look sharp too, sir. The suit suits you perfectly."
"Ahem, regretting not losing some weight now. It's so tight..."
"Hohoho, I think it looks just fine."
Of course.
I didn't care about the uncomfortable suit.
This was the first time in my life arm-in-arm with such a beautiful woman, meeting eyes filled with others' envy.
"Ah... looks like tonight's stars are someone else."
Just then, Ramzan was greeting Jin Seol-hwa.
True to his status as Saudi's second-most powerful figure, he exuded dignity. Born into the destiny of "His Royal Highness."
"CEO Do-jun looks good too."
"Thank you."
"Hohoho, enjoy yourselves then..."
"We appreciate the consideration."
As we enjoyed the banquet, a man approached.
"Are you CEO Do-jun?"
"Yes. Kim Do-jun."
"Ah, let me introduce myself."
Name Card Ilseong Group Executive Director Kim Do-kyung Strategic Planning Office Meeting someone from Ilseong at a Saudi banquet hall.
The adults were right after all.
The world sure is small.
Come to think of it, I vaguely remembered seeing on TV a few years back that Ilseong Group had entered Saudi Arabia.
Executive Director Kim Do-kyung said politely,
"I'd like a moment to speak with you, CEO Do-jun. Do you have time?"