The NIS Visit
The two satellites had successfully settled into their target orbits, transmitting stabilized data across a battery of performance tests. Taesik, who had been heading out for a company dinner with his employees during work hours, stopped in his tracks as his phone suddenly rang. He answered it.
"This is Luke from WP Morgan. The liquidation process is finally complete. The final return, excluding commissions, is 1.85 billion dollars."
"It seems we reaped even more profit than expected."
"There were quite a few securities firms tangled up in the US President's declaration of war, so we were able to settle at a high price. Congratulations on becoming a billionaire. Oh! You were already a billionaire, weren't you?"
"Good work, Luke. I'll send you a separate one million dollars as a bonus."
"Hahaha. I won't refuse. I have my own incentives from the firm, but since I've been working overtime on this liquidation since yesterday, the bonus is a welcome sight. How would you like me to handle the liquidated funds?"
As Taesik's call dragged on, his employees stood waiting on the street. Taesik instructed them to head to the restaurant first and continued the conversation.
"For now, please purchase 500 million dollars each in Apple and Samsung Electronics stock, and deposit 500 million dollars into the Starlink Map company account. You can wire the rest to me."
"To buy Samsung Electronics stock, I'll need to send the money to Korea."
"Doesn't WP Morgan have a Korean branch? I dislike complicated matters, so please go through the normal procedures for currency exchange and deposit it. You're capable of that much, aren't you?"
"Of course. I'll handle the complex procedures for foreign exchange inflow."
With his bank account bolstered, Taesik followed his employees to a nearby beef restaurant, where they were all waiting for him.
"Have you ordered yet?"
"No. We were waiting because the CEO hadn't arrived."
"Go ahead and order. Boss! Give us six servings of beef per table to start."
The employees erupted in cheers when Taesik ordered the beef, and he enjoyed the joyous day with his staff.
The next day, President Ryu returned to Korea, and as soon as he arrived, he sought out Taesik.
"CEO, we finally possess Starlink's satellites."
"You've worked hard. Fortunately, since the first satellites are operating properly, we need to prepare for the second batch."
"I should contact Thuraya. Since our satellites are successfully in orbit, we can start collecting satellite usage fees."
"I intend to contact them today. President Ryu! Please do a media interview sometime today or tomorrow."
"The media?"
"Requests for interviews are pouring in from everywhere, saying we're the first private entity to launch a satellite."
"Isn't that something you should do, rather than me?"
"You are the CEO of Starlink Communication."
"Hahaha. Understood. I'll need to get myself spruced up."
After President Ryu left, Taesik immediately placed a call to Thuraya Telecommunications.
"CEO Ali! This is Kim Taesik of Starlink."
"Oh! Congratulations. I heard you put two satellites into orbit yesterday."
"Fortunately, communication with the satellites was successful, and I've confirmed they are operating normally. Thuraya is launching your satellites in June this year, right?"
"Yes. We are in the middle of preparations."
"How about moving up the launch date for your satellite phone service?"
"But our satellites haven't gone up yet..."
"We signed a contract to use our satellites, didn't we? If you open the service using our satellites first, you won't need to keep the satellite terminals gathering dust in a warehouse."
"Hahaha. I suppose we can launch early using the satellite usage contract we signed previously."
Taesik signed a contract with CEO Ali for 3 million dollars to use the Starlink satellites, and CEO Ali decided to launch satellite communication services in the United Arab Emirates early using the Starlink satellites.
President Ryu appeared with a glowing face—perhaps he had been to a bathhouse—and after hearing the results of the negotiation with Thuraya, he went off to meet a reporter, saying he would mention it in his media interview. Taesik, curious, followed him to the interview site.
The beautiful reporter gave a brief introduction about the satellite Starlink had launched, then introduced President Ryu and began the interview.
"How does it feel to have successfully placed a satellite into orbit, a first for a private entity in the history of the Republic of Korea?"
"Satellite projects have traditionally been government-led because they fundamentally require large-scale investment, but I am glad that Starlink has been able to prove that private companies are also capable."
"Government satellites are mostly focused on weather and science. What fields do you plan to utilize Starlink's satellites for?"
"As a private company, our goal is to achieve economic value through satellites. We plan to utilize them primarily for satellite communication services, and in the long term, we intend to launch two more satellites to build a Korean GPS system. Once the Korean GPS system is built, it can be applied to the navigation field we are currently producing, and we also plan to apply it to the military sector."
"You just mentioned the military sector. In what areas can GPS information be utilized?"
"GPS can be used in various fields such as weapon guidance, navigation, surveying, mapping, and time synchronization."
"I understand you've invested astronomical amounts of money. Do you have a concrete sales strategy?"
"Yes. We have currently signed a contract for satellite usage with Thuraya Telecommunications of the UAE, and we plan to continuously expand our business areas."
"If it's not too intrusive, could you tell us the scale of the contract?"
"Of course. We are supplying satellite communication terminals to Thuraya Telecommunications, and we have agreed to receive 3 million dollars in annual usage fees for the satellite service."
"This concludes our interview with Starlink, which has written a new chapter in satellite history by successfully placing a satellite into space for the first time as a private entity. We hope this becomes an opportunity for the Republic of Korea's satellites to reach out across the globe."
The interview was reported in major broadcasts and daily newspapers, and as the sales volume of the navigation systems sold by Starlink Communication increased rapidly, President Ryu joked that he should do more interviews.
Starlink Communication increased its production of satellite phones and navigation terminals while raising its target revenue. While the company was bustling with the increased sales, Director Park Kyung-hoon visited Taesik with a serious face.
"CEO. We've received a call from the National Intelligence Service (NIS) saying they want to meet you."
"The NIS... why?"
"It's likely because of the satellite."
"Well, if they've made a request, let's meet them. When did they say they would come?"
"They said they would come immediately if you give your consent."
In the afternoon, the NIS visited Starlink Communication, and men in black suits appeared in the conference room.
"Hello. I am Section Chief Choi Jae-ho from the NIS North Korea Department."
"What brings the NIS to Starlink Communication?"
"As far as we understand, the satellite Starlink put into orbit is equipped with an optical camera."
"Yes. That is correct. It was installed for mapping and satellite imagery services."
"The NIS would like to receive satellite imagery of the Korean Peninsula every day. We would like you to provide it for the sake of the Republic of Korea."
"Excuse me...? Are you suggesting we provide it for free?"
"Isn't it natural for a company to cooperate when the state makes a request?"
"Hahaha. We are a private company. Does it make sense to take the results of our investment for free? If you need satellite imagery, purchase it."
"I looked at the file on CEO Kim Taesik before coming here... You returned with a large amount of capital after your trip to the US. And recently, an additional 350 million dollars was deposited."
"As expected of the NIS. Have I committed any illegal acts?"
As the two engaged in a tense war of nerves, Director Park Kyung-hoon stepped forward.
"Listen here, Section Chief Choi! Starlink is not a company that yields to your threats. If you need satellite imagery, proceed with a formal purchase."
"Senior! You've been in the private sector for so long that your instincts have dulled. A company should naturally cooperate with the work of the state."
"Hahaha. You get criticized because you pull stunts like that! Your superior is Director Lee, right? Should I call him directly? What era do you think this is, using threats like in the past?"
"..."
"Get lost while I'm asking nicely. Even though I've stepped down from active duty, I can still send someone like you packing."
Section Chief Choi Jae-ho looked at Director Park with a flushed face, then said,
"Fine. We will purchase the satellite imagery. At what price will you sell it?"
Taesik smiled, looked Section Chief Choi in the eye, and replied,
"...We will not sell it to the NIS."
"Arrogant... We'll leave for today. Next time we meet, it won't end this pleasantly."
Section Chief Choi Jae-ho left the conference room with the staff who had accompanied him, and Director Park Kyung-hoon apologized to Taesik, saying he was sorry.
"It's not something you need to apologize for, Director. More importantly, how do you think the NIS will act in the future?"
"They will likely begin a background investigation into you, CEO. Since they cannot restrict you under the NIS Act, they will try to find things outside the legal boundaries."
"Well, I haven't violated any laws, so I'll have to wait and see. Could you call Director Cha Youngjin?"
When Director Cha Youngjin arrived, Taesik instructed him to save the CCTV footage of the individuals who had just visited onto the server.
"CEO. The CCTV is saved automatically... why do you ask?"
"It seems the NIS will be monitoring us from now on. I need to save the files of those who just visited on the company server and monitor if they are loitering around our company."
"Understood. This is a chance to use the facial recognition technology we recently built."
While the three were discussing countermeasures against the NIS, President Ryu entered and relayed the news that there was an invitation from the government.
"CEO. We've received a request from the National Science and Technology Commission for expert consultation."
"The National Science and Technology Commission...?"
The National Science and Technology Commission is a specialized committee that establishes policies for the development of science and technology. It is a consultative body attended by ministers from each department and is presided over directly by the President.
"They heard that Starlink put a satellite into orbit, and they are asking you to attend in person, saying they need to collect expert opinions."
"When did they say the committee meets?"
"It's this Wednesday, and they said the meeting will be held at the Blue House."
"Well, since it's presided over by the new President, I suppose I should go. Did they say they would provide relevant materials in advance?"
"I'm sorry. I was so flustered that I didn't ask."
After receiving the invitation from the National Science and Technology Commission, Taesik began to ponder ways to help with the satellite development plan he had in mind, while Director Park and Director Cha left the office to establish a plan to prepare for the NIS's attacks.
Taesik headed to the Blue House in time for the Wednesday afternoon session. After undergoing identity verification and an X-ray scan at the entrance, he headed to the conference room. Inside, government ministers and the NIS Director were gathered, waiting for the President. Taesik was guided to the seat in the farthest corner, and as he waited for the meeting to begin, he felt the curious gazes of the ministers.
"The President is entering."