The Hacker's Recruitment
The next morning, Taesik arrived at the office and headed straight to his room. President Ryu Gwangsu was already waiting for him, having been notified of his return by Department Head Park.
"Representative, you've arrived."
"Were you that curious about the results of the business trip?"
"Of course. You went to negotiate the sales of the satellite communication terminals we produced, so I couldn't help but be curious. How did it go?"
"For starters, we've agreed to supply 5 million dollars' worth of terminals, and for the satellites we launch this year, we'll be receiving 3 million dollars annually."
"Wow! We're even getting paid for satellite usage? Just the 5 million dollars from the terminals alone exceeds our existing revenue. You are truly incredible, Representative."
"Once the navigation system is released, 5 million dollars will be nothing. How is the progress on that?"
"The operating software is finished; we just need to complete the electronic maps. Assistant Manager Son Gyeongchan and his team are currently visiting every corner of the country to update the data. They say it should be finished in about two to three weeks."
"Where is Assistant Manager Son?"
"He said he was heading back out for fieldwork after finishing some morning tasks, so he should be in the office by now. Shall I call him in?"
"Yes. Let's check the current progress."
President Ryu Gwangsu, delighted by the large-scale order, left the office. A short while later, he returned with Assistant Manager Son Gyeongchan, who was carrying a stack of documents.
"Assistant Manager Son, I asked to see you to check on the progress of the electronic map creation."
"The base software for the navigation system is complete. We tested it with the Seoul electronic map, and there were no issues. As for the national map, we only have the Gyeongsang and Jeolla regions left to cover."
"What about the other features?"
"MP3 and DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting)?"
"Ah! There are no problems with those either. We've confirmed that photos and videos are working perfectly."
"Assistant Manager Son, would there be any issues if we used the same software for a 5-inch navigation device?"
"Yes...? Koreans prefer larger navigation screens, so 5-inch models aren't very popular."
"I apologize, I didn't explain. I'm planning to sell the 5-inch navigation devices in the United States."
"Could I possibly get the electronic maps for the US? I need to run them to check the compatibility between the programs."
"I'll contact the US and get the maps for you. Also, please distribute these to the staff conducting the field surveys."
Taesik handed a card that President Ryu had prepared to Assistant Manager Son.
"What is this?"
"Traveling all over the country, you'll surely find many good places to eat. Tell the staff to buy themselves some good food."
As President Ryu Gwangsu watched Assistant Manager Son leave, thanking him for the corporate card with a satisfied smile, he reported on the satellite production status.
"Representative, the satellite body is complete, and we expect to finish assembling the communication and meteorological payloads next week. The problem is that there is nowhere in the country to manufacture the optical camera. We inquired with companies in the US and France; the US side sent a rejection, and France is demanding an exorbitant fee."
"Hmm... how about we separate the optical camera for development?"
"We can develop the optical structure, detector, and data processing unit ourselves, and outsource the reflector. I will provide the relevant blueprints, so please look for a place in Korea that can manufacture it."
"The reflector is the core component... there is absolutely nowhere in Korea to make it. I looked into it, and they only manufacture up to 20cm-class reflectors. We need an 0.8m-class reflector, and every company says it's impossible."
Satellite reflectors require large lenses for high light intake and resolution, but because the weight of the lens itself causes deformation and it is difficult to make the lens material uniform, optical mirrors are used instead.
"What is the resolution of the reflector that France offered to sell?"
"They offered a product with a 3m-class resolution for an 0.8m size."
"Then let's go with domestic development. Let's commission a domestic research institute. We will need to commission production in the future as well, so we cannot rely on imports."
"I don't know which domestic experts to contact. I'm embarrassed to say, but I have no knowledge of reflector manufacturing technology."
"It's a field you've never encountered, President Ryu, so there's no need to be ashamed. Reflector manufacturing requires thin-film deposition, polishing, and lightweighting technologies, and there is no single place that possesses all of them. The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials or the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science should be able to develop it in-house."
"I will try to make contact with them. If we bear the development costs, it will exceed the planned budget..."
"Hahaha. It's fine. I have plenty of money, so I can invest as much as needed. And next year, we'll be able to invest even more, so don't feel burdened. Invest double what France proposed. Once we secure the domestic manufacturing technology, we'll be able to improve the reflector's precision further in the future."
"Understood. I knew a huge amount of money would be invested in satellite production, but seeing it in practice, it costs even more than I thought. If it weren't for you, Representative, it would have been impossible to realize my dream."
"That's because South Korea is still at a crawling stage. Once our Starlink gets started, the necessary technologies will be secured domestically, and costs will gradually decrease. President Ryu, please note that I have an external schedule this afternoon."
After finishing his morning work, Taesik headed out with Department Head Park to meet the hacker recommended by the latter.
"Department Head Park, do you know why a person named Cha Youngjin is working as a hacker? The data you gave me only contained his performance records, so I couldn't tell."
"As far as I know, he hacked for fun when he was a university student, but after being branded a criminal, he found it difficult to engage in normal economic activities, which led him to work as a hacker. I haven't looked into the details myself, so you'll have to ask him directly."
"Let's ask him the details when we meet."
Upon arriving at the hotel, the agreed-upon location, Taesik and his party entered the coffee shop and looked around to find the man named Cha Youngjin. A man in a jumper rose from a corner, raised his hand to Department Head Park Gyeonghoon, and they moved to the opposite seat to exchange greetings.
"I came out because of my connection with Agent Park Gyeonghoon, but... what is the request?"
Taesik glanced at Department Head Park Gyeonghoon and said,
"I didn't ask to meet you for a request today, but for a hiring proposal."
Cha Youngjin was surprised by Taesik's words and questioned Department Head Park Gyeonghoon.
"Agent Park, is this some kind of undercover operation? I don't like exposing my face. I don't know what kind of company this is, but entering an operation site directly is too dangerous."
Department Head Park looked flustered and, sensing Taesik's gaze, said,
"Cha Youngjin! I've resigned from the company. I'm a civilian now."
"What...? Hahaha. So the NIS finally threw you away, too. Is that the reward for your loyalty—getting fired?"
"The offer the Representative is making is truly valid. He really intends to hire you."
"What are you going to use a hacker like me for? Are you asking me to hack again? I have no intention of being used."
Taesik delivered his final words to Cha Youngjin.
"I need a hacking expert to prevent hacking. We can equip ourselves with internal defensive capabilities, but we need an expert because we don't know professional hacking techniques. Do you really have no intention of working as a company employee?"
Despite Taesik's sincere words, Cha Youngjin sneered and replied,
"If you want to hire me, buy me a supercomputer."
Taesik, who needed a supercomputer to run AI programs and analyze satellite photos, responded positively.
"I will purchase an IBM Teraflops for you. However, the usage rights must be shared with others besides you, Mr. Cha Youngjin."
"What...? You're really going to buy me a supercomputer? If I work for you, what kind of work will I be doing?"
Taesik, who had been wearing a cynical expression, smiled as the other man finally showed interest.
"Starlink plans to conduct satellite business and develop various weapons. Since all technical data must be treated as top secret, you will need to establish security measures for the data currently under development. We plan to develop AI for computer security, and you will also be in charge of training that program."
"You want me to be in charge of training an AI program...? Is it machine learning? Or deep learning?"
"Deep learning, of course."
"I don't believe there is anyone in Korea who can perform unstructured data analysis as an expert in that field."
"Can't one person know everything? We have already begun development, and the supercomputer is also being prepared for deep learning."
"I heard earlier that you are conducting a satellite business; are you prioritizing the development of a target identification and tracking algorithm?"
"Yes. It is the most important element from a military perspective."
"Then how do you plan to digitize image files for target identification?"
"Naturally, we have to use the pixels of the image files to digitize and track the targets."
"Moving objects require video stabilization to be trackable, so how are you going to handle that?"
"Hahaha. This is a meeting to hire you, Mr. Cha Youngjin, not a place to seek learning. I will share more technical details if you join Starlink."
Cha Youngjin fell into deep thought for a moment before speaking.
"If you don't make me do anything but hacking, I'll sign right now. I have no intention of engaging in illegal activities anymore."
"That goes without saying. You're not bringing up the most important topic—salary?"
"Ah! How much are you planning to pay?"
"Would a large corporate level suffice? Let's set your rank as Department Head."
"What is Agent Park Gyeonghoon's rank?"
"He's a Department Head... why do you ask?"
"Then give me the rank of Department Head, too. Agent Park used to make things very difficult for me in the past, so I want the same rank. I feel like if our ranks are equal, he'll make me do less work."
"Hahaha. Let's do that. You'll be a Department Head. When would you like to start?"
"I can start right now."
"Then come to work starting tomorrow. Since it takes time to purchase a supercomputer, I will have it bought for you within six months."
"Are you really buying it?"
"Yes. Starlink needs a supercomputer as well."
The two shook hands and, after discussing the details of the work ahead, parted ways. Department Head Park Gyeonghoon cautiously asked a question.
"Representative. I heard you're installing a high-resolution optical camera on the satellite; are you planning to trade with the Ministry of National Defense as well?"
"I have no intention of trading with satellites. Our Starlink Communications is currently developing squad-level radios, and I plan to start with those. Why do you ask?"
"When you hired me, you only mentioned satellites, but the work seems to be getting bigger and bigger."
"Department Head. This is just the beginning. You will find that your work will gradually increase."
Department Head Park watched Taesik, feeling skeptical about the prospect of his workload increasing, and began to walk to catch up with the retreating figure of Taesik.