Mutually Assured Destruction
At roughly the same time, Chairman Choi Hyun-hee of Ilseong sat lost in thought within the private sanctuary of his study. He was not alone. Kim Hyuk-soo, his chief of staff, waited nearby, ready to accompany him to his next appointment. Worry filled Kim Hyuk-soo's eyes. Ever since his meeting with Yoo Jae-won a few days earlier, Choi Hyun-hee had worn this same expression. It was understandable. The man Kim Hyuk-soo had met in person had been remarkable enough to shatter his preconceptions. Yoo Jae-won's sheer presence was so commanding that anyone judging him by appearances alone would be in for a rude awakening. Yet in every measurable respect—personal ability and the scale of the empire he commanded—Ilseong still held overwhelming superiority. To Kim Hyuk-soo, Choi Hyun-hee's concern seemed unnecessary. But the man he served clearly thought otherwise. Out of deep respect for everything Choi Hyun-hee represented, Kim Hyuk-soo simply waited in silence.
"Secretary Kim. Do you know what MAD stands for?"
Choi Hyun-hee finally spoke, breaking his long silence.
"MAD, sir? Isn't that just an abbreviation for 'mad'? Ah, you mean Yoo Jae-won has gone mad, don't you? You're absolutely right! That little brat is clearly insane!"
Kim Hyuk-soo blurted out his true feelings the moment he was asked. Choi Hyun-hee, however, shook his head.
"Mutually Assured Destruction. That is what MAD stands for."
"Mutually assured destruction? I feel as though I've heard the term somewhere before…"
"It was coined during the Cold War by the brilliant mathematician John von Neumann. It describes a strategy in which both sides are guaranteed to be destroyed regardless of who wins the battle or the war."
It was the very strategy Yoo Jae-won had explicitly invoked when he had demanded fair play during their meeting. If Choi Hyun-hee broke the rules, Yoo Jae-won would do the same—not only regarding the judiciary and Ilseong's judicial scholars, but across every arena. At first glance it had sounded like the petulant threat of a child: "If you cheat, then so will I!" Yet upon reflection, Choi Hyun-hee realized it was an airtight strategy. The same logic had allowed the United States and the Soviet Union to survive the brutal Cold War without ever triggering nuclear conflict. Likewise, any underhanded tactic Ilseong could employ, ID Group was equally capable of matching.
This was where Chairman Choi's true dilemma began.
The Cold War had ultimately ended with the collapse of the Soviet Union. That very morning the newspapers had carried a prominent story: Yoo Jae-won had arrived in Moscow, the capital of the newly renamed Russian Federation, to make large-scale investments. Would he have received such a warm welcome if the Soviet Union had still existed? The USSR had imploded from its own economic and political contradictions. Ilseong faced the same vulnerabilities. The unresolved succession issue and countless other controversies would all have to be settled in court. A single misstep could inflict devastating damage on both the group and Choi Hyun-hee personally. That was precisely why he maintained such tight control over the judiciary and political circles. If he abandoned those levers of power, Ilseong would slowly crumble just as the Soviet Union had. He could never allow that to happen.
"Is there… a way, sir?"
"There is."
Though he could not yet call it a certainty, he had found an effective countermeasure. The key had come from the Busan Group affair. Many chaebols had sympathized with Busan Group's troubles and lent their support. They shared the same social standing and the same existential problems; they were a community of fate. Similarly, there were plenty of other businessmen facing situations comparable to Choi Hyun-hee's. Anyone running a large enterprise in Korea inevitably encountered the same obstacles. In other words, there were many who would stand with Ilseong.
The MAD strategy had worked when the United States and the Soviet Union were evenly matched, but it became useless once the numerical balance shifted. If numerous companies joined forces with Ilseong, ID Group would be unable to withstand the pressure. Choi Hyun-hee was convinced that Korea's chaebols, led by Ilseong, would play the role of the United States while ID Group would find itself in the Soviet Union's doomed position.
"Our next appointment is the Federation of Korean Industries meeting, correct?"
"Yes, Chairman."
Choi Hyun-hee nodded at Kim Hyuk-soo's reply and rose from his seat. Now that he had an answer, it was time to act. The Federation of Korean Industries would be the perfect venue.
Upon arriving at Moscow's international airport, Yoo Jae-won stepped onto a red carpet for the first time in his life. When he had asked to be the last passenger to disembark, the crew had readily agreed. Far more people were leaving Russia than entering, so even waiting until the end meant little delay. After lingering aboard for a while, he finally descended to find an honor guard playing fanfare, a mobile staircase already in position, and a bulletproof limousine waiting at the end of a crimson carpet. The entire spectacle had been arranged by the Russian government to welcome ID Group's investment. Caught completely off guard, Yoo Jae-won felt a flicker of surprise.
After listening to Team Leader Mikhail's explanation, he understood. The cash-strapped Russian government had prepared the event without consulting Mikhail at all. That was Russia for you. More importantly, ID Group had done something that could easily be misinterpreted by Russian authorities. Mikhail's recruitment team had been established as an open channel to siphon talent out of Russia. Realizing the name might not sit well with either the authorities or the public, Yoo Jae-won had agreed to a slight rebranding: the ID High Tech Moscow Research Institute. It was never intended to be a genuine research facility; it existed solely to channel Russian personnel toward ID High Tech. Yet the Russian authorities had interpreted the name in the most favorable light possible and arranged this unexpected welcome ceremony. The gesture left Yoo Jae-won feeling slightly uneasy.
He thanked the officials who had come to greet him, smiling as he shook hands and posed for photographs. None of this meant he intended to spend a single ruble beyond the budget he had already approved. His schedule in Russia was deliberately compact. The longer he stayed, the greater the risk of complications, so he had limited the trip to two days and one night. The itinerary was kept as simple as possible. Today's events consisted of the unveiling of the ID High Tech Moscow Research Institute signboard on Arbat Street, the recruitment ceremony for six new talents including Dr. Shailov, and a welcoming banquet. Tomorrow he would travel to Leningrad to present a scholarship fund to Leningrad State University. His meeting with Putin was scheduled around the university president's audience. After that, he would depart immediately for the United States to handle accumulated business and attend Remington's wedding, thereby concluding the major items on his November calendar.
"It is an honor to meet you in person. I am Mikhail Ivanov."
Only after the official Russian ceremony concluded did Yoo Jae-won finally come face to face with Team Leader Mikhail. He looked a little more lined than in the photograph on his business card. The file Kevin Johnson had possessed was several years old, after all. Mikhail radiated confidence. The title of ID High Tech Scout Team Leader and the generous compensation had restored him. At home he was once again a respected patriarch; in society he had become an object of envy. In a Russia where, aside from oil and gas companies, few enterprises offered a decent living, a foreign firm represented the ultimate workplace.
"A pleasure."
Yoo Jae-won shook hands with Mikhail and the rest of the scout team before they all boarded the waiting vehicles. Mikhail had thoughtfully prepared not only a single limousine but several older Mercedes sedans as well, allowing everyone to travel comfortably. Their first destination was the hotel where they would be staying. After unpacking and grabbing a quick lunch, they would proceed directly to the signboard unveiling ceremony.
Upon reaching the hotel, the entourage handled check-in and luggage, leaving Yoo Jae-won with little to do.
"Fortunately, no listening devices were detected."
Ever thorough, Remington had packed a bug detector before departure and entrusted it to the security detail. Following Remington's training, the guards had swept every corner of the suite and reported their findings. Of course, an extremely sophisticated device might still evade detection. Even so, the detector operated by sensing radio emissions, and current technology offered no way to hide a transmitter from it.
After unpacking and drinking tea to recover from the long flight, Yoo Jae-won prepared to depart for the ceremony.
"Are you all right, sir? I'm concerned you're pushing yourself too hard."
The team that had been waiting in Germany had enjoyed ample rest, and the flight from Berlin to Moscow took less than three hours. Yoo Jae-won, however, had flown thirteen hours from Seoul to Germany. Although he had rested briefly during the layover, he had not slept in a bed. He was currently enduring an extremely demanding schedule.
"Don't worry. I suppose being young helps. Besides, I slept soundly on the plane."
Yoo Jae-won showed no signs of fatigue whatsoever. There were no dark circles, no bloodshot eyes, no trace of drowsiness. The executives could only nod in reluctant agreement.
After finishing their tea, the party set out for Arbat Street, where the ceremony would be held. The ID High Tech Moscow Research Institute occupied an entire three-story building constructed of white marble on Arbat Street. Russia had not yet fully transitioned to a market economy, so outright purchase had been impossible; instead they had secured a long-term lease. The rent, while burdensome for Russians, was remarkably inexpensive when calculated in dollars. They had signed a twenty-year contract through 2010 and paid the full amount upfront. After the lease was finalized, the interior had been completely renovated. Once Russia's economic situation improved, the first floor would become an ID flagship store; for now, the second and third floors would house the scout team.
"It's even better than the photographs. I like it very much."
Seeing the building in person, Yoo Jae-won found it far more impressive than he had imagined from the images. Its scale was substantial. When he had approved the budget and seen only the small attached photographs, he had pictured something the size of a typical Seoul convenience store. Standing before it now, he realized it was as large as Deokjin Elementary School. Though only three stories tall, the building stretched wide enough to accommodate a large supermarket on the ground floor alone. A building's size rarely posed a problem; the real challenge was always finding ways to fill it. While the executives wondered how they would ever occupy such a vast space, Yoo Jae-won already knew the answer. Once the twenty-first century arrived, the building would overflow with innovative ID products bearing the company mark.
"I'm glad it meets with your approval."
Mikhail exhaled in relief and broke into a broad smile. He had been deeply anxious while preparing the event. This was no ordinary ceremony; Yoo Jae-won himself would attend, and Russian television crews were expected. The budget had been several times larger than usual. If the event failed, the responsibility would fall squarely on Mikhail's shoulders. Hearing Yoo Jae-won's praise lifted a tremendous weight from him.
The opening ceremony began shortly afterward. The entrance of the building now bearing the name ID High Tech Moscow Research Institute had been lavishly decorated in the Russian style. A signboard covered by white cloth stood ready, along with a ribbon in the colors of the Russian flag for the cutting ceremony. Such a grand opening was rare in economically troubled Russia, so not only the press but also local residents had gathered to watch. The scene was perfect—except for one minor drawback: Moscow's November weather. The temperature hovered at minus three degrees Celsius, and intermittent winds made it feel even colder. An outdoor ceremony was hardly ideal, so the event was kept brief. Russian dignitaries who had come for the occasion looked eager to speak from the podium, but Yoo Jae-won limited the speakers to himself and the mayor of Moscow, restricting each address to under three minutes. Together they removed the cloth covering the signboard and performed the ribbon-cutting, officially concluding the ceremony.
Afterward, paper boxes containing bread, chocolate, and candy were distributed to the onlookers. In Korea, it was customary to hand out rice cakes at opening ceremonies. Yoo Jae-won had instructed the team to prepare something as close to that tradition as possible, even if Russia lacked an exact equivalent. The reaction was overwhelming. Bread had become increasingly difficult to obtain in Moscow, and receiving such an unexpected gift delighted everyone. Moreover, the bread was not delicate dessert loaves but hearty, practical loaves meant for meals. Anticipating the enthusiastic response, they had prepared generous quantities. Even when a few opportunistic individuals tried to take two boxes during the confusion, no one who had come to watch left empty-handed.
Thanks to the event, Yoo Jae-won and ID Group received prominent coverage on Russian news. While the Security Challenge and the Microsoft acquisition had already given him some recognition in Russia, this ceremony multiplied that visibility many times over. It was far more efficient than any expensive marketing campaign could have achieved.
Once the ceremony ended, Yoo Jae-won ascended to the third floor. A private event had been prepared there: the official welcome for Dr. Shailov and the other six new recruits. Recruiting Russia's best minds could not be done publicly. At the same time, it was no longer a complete secret; both Russian authorities and academia were already aware of ID Group's aggressive talent acquisition. Some viewed it with displeasure. Many also felt uneasy about having to work in the United States. While a few had no difficulty with English, language remained a significant barrier for most. Additionally, the prospect of living in a country that had until recently been a bitter rival was daunting.
Fortunately, all three of the individuals Yoo Jae-won had designated as essential recruits had accepted: Dr. Shailov, Vladimir Vekselred, and Eugene Kaspersky. Two physicists and one rocket specialist had been added as well. Those reluctant to move to America would be even less inclined to choose North Korea, which offered far worse conditions. If Russia's situation deteriorated further, their minds might change, but North Korea would never be an option. Even in Russia, North Korea was widely regarded as far weaker and more vulnerable than the United States. They would choose ID High Tech, which guaranteed passage to America. Of course, nothing was guaranteed. There were always scholars who prioritized ideology over financial reward or working conditions. Some might willingly forgo money and prestige to serve North Korea, a fellow communist state. That possibility lay beyond Yoo Jae-won's control. In response, he intended to make full use of intelligence agencies such as the CIA. In films the CIA was often portrayed as comically inept, yet objectively its capabilities were formidable. Its achievements in the high-stakes world of international espionage could not be dismissed. For reference, he had never considered relying on Korea's own intelligence service. The National Intelligence Service, having focused primarily on domestic operations since its inception, lacked the strength to compete in international intelligence operations.
"Chairman, Dr. Shailov and his party have arrived."
While lost in thought, Yoo Jae-won looked up to see the main guests. Led by the most respected and eldest member, Dr. Shailov, the scholars filed in, with a bewildered-looking Eugene Kaspersky bringing up the rear. Although all were scientists, the others specialized in nuclear or fundamental physics, while Kaspersky alone was a computer engineer. The age gap was considerable; he looked like a grandson standing among grandfathers. Dr. Shailov sported a thick white beard and long, snowy hair. Deep wrinkles lined his face. He wore a rather shabby black coat; had it been red, he would have resembled the Santa Claus beloved by children worldwide.
Following protocol, Mikhail escorted Dr. Shailov to his designated seat first, and the others followed. Yoo Jae-won stepped forward to greet them.
"Hello. I am Yoo Jae-won."
Since none of them spoke English, he offered a simple Korean-style bow. Dr. Shailov and the others returned the gesture. The atmosphere, however, was far from the warm welcome Yoo Jae-won had hoped for. Accustomed to a very different world from the free United States, the scholars remained visibly tense. Their eyes, including Dr. Shailov's, were still filled with doubt as they regarded him.
Mikhail was about to proceed to the next item on the program when Dr. Shailov spoke first. Because he spoke in Russian, Yoo Jae-won looked to Mikhail for translation.
"Er, well…"
Mikhail hesitated, suggesting the words were not entirely complimentary.
"Whatever he says, I'm fine with it. Please translate exactly."
At Yoo Jae-won's urging, Mikhail began.
"Dr. Shailov says he would like a firm confirmation that you will honor the promises you made before he signs the employment contract."
Yoo Jae-won understood. He had made several commitments to Dr. Shailov and the other researchers. They wanted to hear those assurances directly from his mouth rather than relying solely on the written contract. In the Soviet Union, even legally sound contracts were frequently disregarded, so their anxiety was understandable.
"Of course. I can repeat them as many times as necessary. Neither you nor any future researchers employed by ID High Tech will be pressured to produce immediate results. You will receive full support in both time and budget. All the equipment I promised earlier has already been ordered, and the Cray-3 supercomputer has been installed."
"Oh! A supercomputer!"
The moment Mikhail translated, the reaction was immediate. The previously cool atmosphere transformed in an instant. Time, budget, and constant demands for results were the greatest burdens researchers faced. What Yoo Jae-won described was the ideal environment they had always dreamed of. Although the promises were already written in the employment contracts, hearing them spoken aloud by Yoo Jae-won himself brought visible relief. Especially at the mention of the supercomputer, the eyes of nuclear physicists like Dr. Shailov—and even Eugene Kaspersky—lit up with excitement.
At the same time, Yoo Jae-won found their innocence almost touching. So many people spoke with forked tongues; how could they place more trust in a man's word than in a signed contract that left evidence? Then again, this was not Seoul, where one had to watch one's back at every turn. Perhaps such trust was still possible here.
With Yoo Jae-won's reassurance, the mood shifted completely. The recruitment ceremony concluded successfully, and numerous photographs and videos were taken for press releases and the group's historical archives. All that remained of Yoo Jae-won's Russian itinerary were the scholarship fund presentation at Leningrad State University and his meeting with Putin.