The Succession of Miso Group
"Are you saying I should just leave comfortably when Miso's name is being brought up?"
"Yes. It seems they intend to discuss the succession structure of Miso Electronics."
"Hmm... isn't Miso uninterested in Miso Electronics?"
"Yes. It’s likely because of her older sisters. The eldest is eyeing the successor position while managing the hotel business, and the second is trying to secure the spot by putting her husband forward."
"Miso doesn't even work at Miso Group, so why is that?"
"......."
Miso blushed, hesitating to answer. A moment later, she spoke.
"It’s probably because of you, CEO. You hold shares in Miso Electronics. To my brother, you must look like a concern."
Taesik sighed, suddenly realizing that marrying Miso would complicate the succession structure.
"I’d heard that family relationships in chaebol families were complicated, but I didn't know it was to this extent."
"That’s why I don't want to work at Miso. My father understands my situation, which is why he sent me to you, Taesik."
Taesik asked a question to confirm if Miso had any intentions regarding Miso Group.
"Miso, don't you have any thoughts about taking charge of one of Miso Group's subsidiaries? If you need strength, I’ll lend you my support."
"No. I like it the way it is now. I don't like fighting among siblings. Besides, preparing for the new UAM (Urban Air Mobility) business is fun."
"UAM still has a long way to go before commercialization... will you be alright?"
"Of course. I realized it while preparing for the business... Edison Motors is breathing new life into the existing automotive market while pursuing the electric vehicle business. I think the same goes for the UAM business. If it's alright with you, CEO, I’d like to invest my own capital..."
Taesik was surprised that Miso wanted to hold shares in the UAM business, which he considered his future project.
"Hahaha. If you want, I’ll give you shares. The maximum I can offer is 10%. How much were you thinking?"
Miso brightened at Taesik's offer to give her shares.
"Since it's still in the preparation stage, how about 10 billion won?"
Taesik was surprised by the vast gap between his and Miso's valuation of the UAM business.
"Miso. Starlink holds the aircraft and propulsion technology for UAM. Considering current value, I could give you 10% for 10 billion, but considering future value, 10 billion won is nowhere near enough."
"Hohoho. I didn't know you wouldn't even make a concession for me, CEO. Fine. I'll give you 20 billion."
"I’d consider it at 100 billion. As for me, it doesn't matter if you don't take the shares."
"Without me, cooperation with Miso Group will be difficult. Let's settle at 30 billion. Instead, I'll serve as the representative without pay until the stock is listed."
"If I don't list it, you'll have to work for free for the rest of your life, Miso."
"Oh my! Then I'll have to get living expenses from the man who becomes my husband."
Taesik laughed at Miso's teasing.
"Very well. I'll give you 10% for 30 billion. Instead, you must work without pay until it's listed."
"The representative role is unpaid, but you must pay me a salary for my role as your secretary."
"Hahaha. Since you're still my secretary, I suppose I have to pay you."
That evening, Taesik headed to the hotel restaurant for his appointment, where he met Executive Director Lee Yong-jae, whom he had only seen in the media.
"Oh my! Nice to meet you, CEO Kim. Finally, I get to see your face."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, too. You really didn't have to worry about the Miso Trading matter from before..."
"Is it easy to win construction volume in Iraq? Thanks to you, we were able to secure the construction volume and increase Miso Trading's revenue, so the group wanted to thank you."
When the meal arrived, the two ate briefly and exchanged conversation.
"What is our Miso doing at Starlink?"
"She is in charge of the new UAM business. Since there is much to be gained from Miso Group, she is handling cooperation and basic technology development."
"If you mean help from Miso Group... you mean Miso SDI's lithium batteries, right?"
"Yes. They are the core of the UAM business."
Executive Director Lee Yong-jae, lost in thought for a moment, spoke with a look of determination.
"CEO Kim. I will speak directly."
Taesik also disliked frustrating situations.
"Please, go ahead."
"You are aware that I am succeeding Miso Group from my father. I don't want things to get complicated with my younger siblings over shareholdings, and I've already settled things with the others to some extent. I've given the hotel business and foundation work to them and decided not to take interest in the group, but the problem is you, CEO Kim."
"Why me...?"
"The 5% of Miso Electronics you hold feels like a threat to me. With Miso's shares and your shares, you might not influence the governance structure, but I’ve learned that your asset scale is significant. You hold shares not only in Starlink but also in A-Plus and Edison Motors. My judgment is that if you and Miso become a couple, my position will be in danger."
"Actually, before coming here, I spoke with Miso for a moment. She stated that she has no interest in Miso Group at all..."
"The problem isn't Miso, it's you, CEO Kim. I want to know if you will be my ally or my enemy."
To Executive Director Lee Yong-jae's blunt question, Taesik replied:
"Chairman Lee Hyundo sold me Miso Thales, Miso Aviation business sectors, and Techwin shares in return for me becoming his ally. What can you give me, Executive Director Lee Yong-jae? While I have a good relationship with Miso currently, we have never discussed plans for the future. The only person I have made a promise to is Chairman Lee Hyundo."
"...Hahaha. As my father said, you're not ordinary. I don't have a gift I can give you... Miso SDI, which you are interested in, is a core subsidiary, so it's hard to sell. What would satisfy you?"
"Sell me the entire defense sector. Now, the only defense part Miso has is Miso Techwin's ground sector, isn't it? Why don't you step out of the defense sector now?"
"Hmm... that is not a matter I can decide on my own. As you know, my father is continuing the defense industry because of the government's eyes. Since I haven't taken over Miso Group yet, could I decide later? I am also in a situation where I have to be wary of my father's eyes."
At Lee Yong-jae's request to postpone the decision, Taesik nodded and changed the subject.
"Is the succession work going well?"
"The group's brains are thinking of ways to reduce inheritance taxes, so an answer will come out soon."
Knowing that they were succeeding the group through illegal means and receiving voting rights for Miso shares held by the National Pension Service through the actual power behind the female president, Taesik spoke cautiously.
"Don't rely too much on the power behind the regime; look for other ways. There are many forces keeping the president in check, so you could face difficulties later."
Executive Director Lee Yong-jae was surprised that Taesik spoke as if he knew about the schemes for the succession work Miso Group was conducting.
"I thought we were the best in terms of intelligence... it seems Starlink is not to be underestimated. Have you ever met that person?"
"No. We keep our distance from political circles. Since defense and space communications are our main areas, we don't have ties to any specific political party. The scope of Starlink's business is too sensitive to create ties with a specific regime."
"And please take good care of our Miso. I hope Miso works at Starlink forever, and I hope you, CEO Kim, don't have any unnecessary greed."
The two parted ways, agreeing to discuss the handling of Miso Techwin again once the succession rights to Miso Group became clear.
The next day, when he arrived at work, Miso entered Taesik's room with coffee.
"How did it feel meeting my brother yesterday? What did he say?"
"First of all, he told me to take good care of you."
At Taesik's words, Miso looked at him with an expression that said that couldn't be true.
"Our high-and-mighty brother wouldn't have only talked about me... please tell me the truth."
"He said that if I marry you in the future, I shouldn't have any wild thoughts about Miso Group. Fortunately, I didn't get a rejection from the man who will become my brother-in-law."
Miso was surprised by Taesik's joke.
"You were even thinking about marrying me? I hadn't thought about it..."
"Really? I guess it was just my own thought. If you have no such thoughts, Miso, I suppose I should give up on the idea of marriage."
Miso, blushing, said:
"I meant I didn't have the heart to marry right this second."
"Hahaha. I understand. My judgment is that if I give up my greed for Miso Group, Executive Director Lee Yong-jae won't necessarily oppose our relationship. You don't want to own a subsidiary of Miso Group, do you?"
"As I said yesterday, I have no intention of working at Miso Group at all. Preparing for the UAM business is too much fun."
"I see. Once the UAM prototype is ready, let's start thinking about establishing a company. Since you're giving me 30 billion won, I'll have to hurry. And once I take office as representative, I can work you without pay, so I'll have to pick up the pace."
"Are you planning to dismiss me as your secretary once you take office as representative?"
"Yes. You don't intend to keep working in the secretary's office, do you?"
"No. I intend to work concurrently while working in the secretary's office. It's unpaid, so I have to receive a secretary's salary to make a living."
"Hahaha. Don't do that, why don't we start dating from today?"
Miso responded to Taesik's sudden proposal:
"Isn't that a very insincere proposal?"
"......."
"It can't be helped. I have no choice but to accept. It's day one from today, and I'll continue working as your secretary to keep a close eye on whether you're up to any nonsense, Taesik. Understood?"
Taesik accepted Miso's proposal with a laugh, and Miso walked out, smiling.
A few weeks later, a media outlet began reporting that they had acquired a tablet PC from an empty office of a sports foundation. The tablet belonged to the daughter of the leader of the Yeongsegyo cult, and it contained the president's inaugural address and state affairs documents, revealing that there was a woman behind the president. The president hastily stated in a national address that she was merely receiving advice and had no connection to the daughter of the Yeongsegyo leader after taking office. However, contrary to the president's words, additional evidence was released, leading to impeachment protests, and members of the National Assembly began preparing for impeachment proceedings.
While South Korea was engulfed in an impeachment frenzy, Miso revealed to Chairman Lee Hyundo that the two were dating, and Chairman Lee, in a hurry for some reason, called Taesik to push for their engagement.
"CEO Kim. Can't we start with an engagement?"
"I would like to get married right away after a little while. I'm not a chaebol family member, so there's no reason to have an engagement. I think what's important is the will of the two people."
Miso also told Chairman Lee Hyundo:
"Father. I don't want to proceed with an engagement and marriage like a chaebol family. I just want to get married when the two of us have made up our minds. I haven't even received a proposal yet."
"Tsk... I understand. If that's what you two think, then it can't be helped. CEO Kim, you're not related to the power behind the regime currently in the news, are you?"
"No. I've never even been near them."
"That's a relief! Just in case, I'll say this... don't even take Miso near political circles!"