Chapter 146
Chapter 146
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 146
Chapter Title: Seizing the Future
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[We hereby clarify that this incident stemmed entirely from a misunderstanding on the part of the Japanese government and officially extend our apologies to the South Korean government. As of this moment, Japan will lift all sanctions against South Korea and requests that the South Korean government also promptly lift its sanctions.]
January 24, 2006.
After holding out for as long as they could, the Japanese Cabinet finally offered a full apology for the recent incident.
As a result, the export ban on machinery to South Korea was lifted, but the response from our companies was nothing short of icy.
This was largely because many of them had already switched to German suppliers.
“We’re from FANUC Korea. I’m sorry to bother you, but could we please see the CEO?”
Consequently, there was a significant shift in the attitude of Japanese machinery and materials companies, including FANUC.
As a precaution against a potential change of heart from the Japanese government, they began establishing production bases in Korea.
FANUC's case was particularly surprising. Known for their reclusive corporate culture and for being holed up at the foot of Mount Fuji to prevent technology leaks, they were now planning to build a factory in Korea.
“Our headquarters has promised to provide meaningful compensation for this incident.”
That wasn't the only change.
They even promised to pay compensation amounting to trillions of won.
Even if it was a measure to overcome the growing distrust in the global market and the resulting decline in market share, it was an outcome no one had anticipated.
[Our government has announced its intention to construct a military-exclusive airport and port on Jeju Island.]
About a month later, our government abruptly pushed forward with the construction of a military base on Jeju Island, a project that had been postponed due to pressure from Japan and China.
According to intelligence, this was the result of behind-the-scenes talks with the United States, surely a response from our government following the promise of an upgrade to a Tier 1 ally.
Perhaps for this reason, Japan, one of the countries that should have been most opposed, remained strangely silent. The Chinese government, caught completely off guard, hastily issued a statement.
[The Chinese government is firmly opposed to South Korea's construction of a military base on Jeju Island and…]
China’s response that followed the statement was a repeat of history.
They retaliated with disruptive tactics, mobilizing our civic groups and media.
“A military base in this natural paradise? Unthinkable!”
What was baffling was that even though we had seen this before, it wasn't entirely ineffective. This was likely because it preyed on a fundamental human desire.
After all, it’s an old saying that no one is immune to the allure of money.
[This morning, the prosecutor's office has launched an investigation into the funding sources of several civic groups.]
But that was short-lived.
While the power of money is formidable, so is the power of experience.
The public, already suspicious of the civic groups' true intentions due to past incidents, grew increasingly cold. The media outlets, which had initially jumped on the bandwagon, also made a sharp turn in their narrative.
[Our companies that have recently entered the Chinese market are suffering from various disadvantages.]
In a final attempt to save face, the Chinese government chose to penalize our companies operating in China.
But this was just shooting themselves in the foot.
This measure would only make our companies, which had been flocking to China like a gold rush, more wary.
‘Could this be any more welcome?’
I struggled to keep my grin in check as I watched the news.
If this continued, they would lose the trust of companies from other nations that had entered China as well.
This meant that the exodus of many companies from China would become a reality, which would, in turn, accelerate the development of the Indian market.
‘Yes, it might be better to fast-track the development of the Indian market now. That would help build another power to check China, and it would also mitigate some of China’s technology theft.’
I briefly imagined a world different from the one before my regression.
A world where the title of "the world's factory" was shared.
‘If that happens, we'll have more room to maneuver. The next ten years. That period might just decide this country's fate…’
*******
[The U.S. government has announced its intention to formally propose South Korea's inclusion as a Tier 1 ally at the major allies' summit in the UK early next year. Experts predict that if an agreement is reached among member nations, our country's international standing will rise to a level incomparable to the present, and they also foresee the possibility of an unlimited currency swap between the dollar and the won.]
The news of our impending upgrade to a Tier 1 ally of the United States was belatedly revealed to the world.
The entire country was thrown into a frenzy of excitement, and the TV was abuzz with discussions weighing the pros and cons.
[The status of a Tier 1 ally does not only bring benefits. For example, we will have to align with U.S. international policy in the future, which may lead to unwanted…]
Where there are gains, there are also losses.
It was natural for public opinion to form, emphasizing the disadvantages of the upgraded alliance status.
However, with the trauma of the foreign exchange crisis still lingering in the minds of the nation's people, the negative sentiment gradually lost its power.
[Our government has announced it will provide nearly 2 trillion won in funding over the next 10 years for facility improvements and a project to reform the machinery sector, led by the three major groups.]
Three months had already passed since the end of the economic war with Japan.
The trend of industrial restructuring continued.
It was only natural to not get hit a second time after being hit once.
While the question of whether our companies could maintain this attitude remained, it was undeniably a positive trend.
“Tell Dr. Kim Hee-won at the research institute to prepare to release the 32-nanometer process to the world around the year after next.”
I decided to use this opportunity to accelerate the evolution of semiconductor processing.
When you thought about it, our victory was due to the overwhelming advancement in our semiconductor technology.
If we were to continue using that as our weapon, the answer was to always stay ahead of the curve.
“The 32-nanometer process?”
Secretary Kim’s eyes widened.
Of course, they would.
With the world currently struggling to develop not just the 45-nanometer but even the 65-nanometer process, the appearance of a 32-nanometer process would be game over.
If the 32-nanometer process were to emerge the year after next, semiconductor companies worldwide would taste despair once again. The speed at which the world became dependent on us, at least in semiconductors, would accelerate significantly.
“Oh, and one more thing. Contact Ryan and tell him to secure as much of a stake in ASML of the Netherlands as possible. Also, tell him to proceed with formal agreements and acquisitions of other lithography equipment companies.”
This was a measure for the future.
While it might not be obvious now, the role of lithography equipment in future microfabrication would be absolute.
Of course, it wouldn't be easy, as most were protected by their respective nations, but there was always a way if you looked for it.
I planned to keep knocking on their doors, with investment as a precondition.
“Please ask Chairman Lee Young-hoon of Samjung if he has time today.”
Since I was making plans, I might as well see them through to the end.
If mass production of the 32-nanometer process could begin as soon as it was unveiled the year after next, there would be no more certain way to create an insurmountable gap.
Following my instructions, Secretary Kim immediately called Samjung’s executive office and soon returned with a positive response.
“He has an appointment, but he said he would cancel it.”
“No, please tell him there’s no need for that. This matter isn’t that urgent.”
Secretary Kim called Samjung's executive office again to convey my message.
For some reason, while on the phone with Lee Young-hoon’s secretary, Secretary Kim suddenly looked at me with a startled expression.
“What is it?”
“It’s Chairman Lee Young-hoon. It seems he overheard my conversation with his secretary and asked to be connected.”
I tilted my head and took the phone.
On the other end, Lee Young-hoon’s voice, more energetic than before, came through.
-When you ask for a meeting, Chairman Jin, how could I possibly postpone it?
“No, if you have a prior engagement, there’s really no need to cancel.”
-It wasn't a particularly important meeting, so it’s fine. A software developer from the U.S. whom I’ve known for a while requested a meeting. I was just sending him off, actually.
“A software developer?”
“Yes, Andy Rubin. He’s a guy who develops mobile phone operating systems.”
It felt like a lightning bolt had struck my brain.
Andy Rubin. That was the name of the man who created Android.
But why at this time?
According to the history I knew, Andy Rubin and Samjung's paths were fated to cross and part back in 2004.
The fact that it was only happening now left me dumbfounded for a moment.
“Did he propose a mobile phone operating system?”
-Huh? How did you know that, Chairman Jin?
“I’ll explain that later. Is this the first time you’ve met him?”
-Yes, it is. But why do you ask all of a sudden?
If this was the case, the timeline had clearly been twisted.
No, beyond that, the story of Andy Rubin and Samjung, which was thought to be just a rumor, was being proven true.
If so, it would be wise to seize the opportunity.
In the future, Android, along with Apple, would dominate the mobile phone market.
I couldn't let it be acquired by Google as history dictated.
“Get that man back here. Now.”
-Pardon?
“And whatever terms he proposes, you should acquire his company immediately.”
Lee Young-hoon fell silent.
My reaction must have been unusual, as he replied in a much more subdued tone.
-But we have sufficient capabilities to develop our own operating system software.
“I know. But you need to get him now to secure Samjung’s future more firmly. No, to avoid a lifetime of regret. I’m telling you this as a major shareholder of Samjung.”
-…
******
After about an hour of persuasion, I received word from Lee Young-hoon that he had managed to get Andy Rubin back.
The news the next day was that they would proceed with a merger with Android soon.
Only then did I let out a sigh of relief and tell Lee Young-hoon.
“If I weren’t a major shareholder of Samjung, I would have stepped in myself.”
That was my honest feeling.
It would be strange not to covet something that would bring astronomical profits in the future.
But it was questionable whether I should open a bakery just to eat a single piece of cake.
As I had emphasized to Lee Young-hoon, I was already a major shareholder of Samjung.
Samjung’s profits were my profits, so there was no need for me to go through the trouble of building everything from the ground up.
‘And besides, I’m already the second-largest shareholder of Apple, so there’s no need for me to be at the forefront of the opposing camp.’
That was also something to consider.
Apple was another company that would bring me astronomical profits.
Given that, should I really be at the forefront of the Android camp?
Especially while taking the full brunt of U.S. scrutiny in the future?
As I had done until now, it was more comfortable for me to be the invisible hand, holding cake in both hands.
-Anyway, for now, we have a merger plan in place as per your advice, Chairman Jin. If you have time later, it might be a good idea for you to meet Andy Rubin in person.
To be honest, I had initially considered jumping into the mobile phone market myself.
After all, I already had all the technological foundations.
But unlike the weapons market, the mobile phone market was a realm of emotion and marketing.
When I considered whether I could create a legend like Apple, it was hard to be certain.
So, rather than trying to carve out an uncertain future, I had chosen to ride on Apple's guaranteed legend through investment, and this case was no different.
“Let’s do that. I was curious about him anyway. Thank you for listening to my opinion.”
-I can’t just ignore the advice of Samjung’s third-largest shareholder, Chairman Jin. Or should I say, you’ll soon be securing the position of the second-largest shareholder?
Lee Young-hoon cautiously brought up my increasing stake in Samjung.
I fully understood his intention.
I reassured him once more by affirming my support for his management rights, and he ended the call with a much brighter voice.
Knock, knock!
“CEO Kim Young-gi is here.”
Just as I was putting down the receiver, CEO Kim came to my office.
Following him was CEO Lee Yong of Jaewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering.
It was an unfamiliar combination, so I was curious about their purpose.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you two together. What’s going on?”
“We had a meeting about the Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class destroyers the government is planning to commission.”
Hearing that brought me back to reality.
The navy was planning additional construction of Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class destroyers.
But seeing them preparing already, it seemed the government was moving faster than expected.
“It seems the government has no hesitation in aligning with the United States. But have the specific ROCs been released?”
“That’s the problem. The military is rushing the project but hasn’t been able to present a clear ROC.”
“Why not?”
At that question, Kim Young-gi stared at me intently.
His expression seemed to say, *It's because of you.*
As I narrowed my eyes, he finally continued.
“The recently commissioned Sejong the Great has raised the navy admirals' standards too high. They’re not going to be satisfied with the specs of the existing Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class destroyers under construction.”
“I understand, but you can’t just equip the Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class with the specs of the Sejong the Great.”
Even as I said it, I felt the same desire.
After all, thanks to the plans our military had pursued before my regression, I had the designs for a mini-Aegis destroyer.
Moreover, the naval expansion of China and Japan in the future would be nothing short of ferocious.
In that situation, would it be possible to counter them with the specs of the existing Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class destroyers?
Even if the nine Aegis destroyers had absolute performance superiority.
“When is the military’s main commanders' meeting again?”