The FBI's Request
"Hello...?"
"This is Brian from the FBI. Mr. Kim, I'm not sure if you remember me. It’s been such a long time since we last spoke... I’m not sure if you even recall who I am."
Taesik realized it was the FBI New York Branch Chief who had investigated him for industrial espionage when he first entered the U.S. to sell AESA radar technology.
"Chief! It really has been a long time."
"I’m a Deputy Director now. I heard about your entry through immigration and decided to reach out."
Hearing that Brian had been tracking his movements, Taesik felt a slight surge of tension.
"To what do I owe the pleasure...?"
"I’m currently in LA. Wouldn't it be better to talk in person rather than over the phone?"
Just as Taesik was about to give him the name of his hotel, he realized Brian likely already knew his room number.
"Should I come to you, or would you like to come here?"
"I’m actually staying at the same hotel as you, Mr. Kim. If your wife doesn't mind, how about we have a meal together?"
After setting the appointment, Taesik explained the situation to Miso. She was surprised to learn that her husband, whom she knew as a businessman, had connections with a high-ranking FBI official, but she nodded in agreement.
When the time came, Taesik and Miso headed down to the hotel restaurant. As soon as Taesik gave his name, the manager escorted them to a private room. Outside the room, men who appeared to be bodyguards verified their identities before letting them in.
"Mr. Kim! How long has it been? Over ten years, right?"
Although Brian had once investigated him for espionage, Taesik had received help from him afterward, so he offered a smile and a handshake.
"Congratulations on your promotion to Deputy Director. I had no idea you were still with the FBI."
"I never imagined back then that you would go on to run such a massive defense firm in Korea. If I had played my cards right back then, I could have been sitting comfortably as an advisor for your company... but as you can see, I have a lot more restrictions on my movements now."
Taesik introduced Miso to Brian, and they sat down to order their meal. As they ate, Brian began to discuss recent issues in the United States.
"South Korea is one of the countries I envy, with its strict gun control and low rate of violent crime. Here in the U.S., we deal with an average of two mass shootings a day. It’s a real headache."
"I suppose one day, the U.S. will pass a law banning gun ownership, too."
"Hahaha. I wish that were the case... but the gun manufacturers lobby so hard against it, I don't know if that day will ever come."
During the conversation, Brian brought up Miso as well.
"Ms. Lee, I heard you studied abroad here in the States. How is Chairman Lee Hyundo’s health these days?"
Miso seemed uncomfortable that Brian knew even her personal details and shrank back slightly. Sensing that she was distancing herself, Brian changed the subject.
"I wish him a speedy recovery. Please, if the Miso Group ever needs any help while in the U.S., don't hesitate to contact me."
As the meal was winding down, Taesik decided to get straight to the point.
"Brian! I doubt the Deputy Director of the FBI made time for me just for small talk... what do you need?"
Brian lifted his glass, took a sip of water, and spoke.
"The truth is, we want to purchase the object recognition software developed by Starlink Deepmind. We’ve sent multiple requests through the KNIS (National Intelligence Service), but they keep telling us that the authority lies with Starlink Deepmind and that they cannot make the decision themselves."
"Hmm..."
"When I tracked the ownership of Starlink Deepmind, it led to you, Mr. Kim. That’s why this meeting was arranged."
"Isn't facial and object recognition technology something the U.S. already possesses?"
"I mentioned earlier that we have a lot of mass shootings, didn't I? With the frequency of school shootings, Congress has demanded that the FBI come up with a solution. I came to LA to see if any companies in Silicon Valley had the technology to handle it."
"Silicon Valley is full of companies that should have that kind of technical capability."
"To give you the conclusion: they have the tech, but not for real-time recognition. They can do facial or object recognition using static photos, but we confirmed today that it takes at least 30 minutes to process and recognize data in a video feed. As it turns out, Starlink is the only place that has the capability we need."
"Honestly, giving you the software isn't the problem. As you know, if I hand over the source files, it leaks our core technology. We’re concerned about that. And Deputy Director, you said you’d use it for an AI-based object recognition program in schools, but you know as well as I do that it could be used for many other purposes, right?"
"Well... if you're that worried, couldn't we seal the hardware and software? If you cooperate this time, the FBI will support whatever Starlink needs."
Taesik realized it would be difficult to refuse Brian's offer.
"Do you only need the software? Or do you need the CCTV cameras as well?"
"Ah! I heard that in Korea, you even added infrared capabilities for military use... but since schools only operate during the day, I don't think we need the infrared feature."
"I'll have to check with Korea, but I'll need the specifications of the CCTV cameras currently installed in the schools. Also, I don't think facial recognition is necessary—would it be acceptable if I supply software capable of identifying and alerting for firearms?"
Brian fell into deep thought for a moment.
"Is it possible to input photos of all the teachers and students currently at the school and have it alert us when an outsider enters?"
"Technically, it's possible. However, the key is whether the installed CCTV cameras are of a high enough quality to perform facial recognition."
"Understood. I will check the specifications of the school CCTV systems and contact you."
Taesik handed over CEO Cha Youngjin's contact information, shook hands with Brian, and confirmed his commitment to the U.S. school security system upgrade project. After leaving the restaurant, Taesik checked the local time in Korea, called CEO Cha Youngjin to relay the details of the FBI discussion, and then headed up to his room with Miso.
The next day, Taesik and Miso headed to the UAM facility. They entered the site, which was still a bit chaotic. While the main buildings were complete and the landscaping was in its final stages, they could see that the runway construction was finished. Managing Director Kim Tae-hwan, who had been appointed as the project lead, greeted them.
Managing Director Kim was a rotary-wing expert from Starlink Aviation who had been moved to the new UAM business unit at the recommendation of CEO Jo Yun-je, and he was now in charge of the UAM U.S. subsidiary.
"Welcome, CEO! Executive Director!"
Managing Director Kim, his skin tanned from the sun, gave the group a tour of the UAM facility before leading them to a UAM aircraft prepared in a corner of the factory. Looking at the three UAMs, Miso seemed moved and immediately asked Kim about the progress.
"Director Kim! Have the results for the FAA test flight application come in yet?"
"Yes. We received the flight permit for the test flights, and we’ve agreed to receive the type certificate once we submit the flight data."
"What about the test pilots?"
"We just hired four rotary-wing test pilots who were discharged from the South Korean Army, and they are currently conducting flight proficiency training through ground tests. Executive Director, there is something I need to tell you."
Miso looked puzzled at Kim's request, and Kim immediately pulled out some documents and handed them to Taesik and Miso.
"While we were preparing for the UAM business, competitors have emerged. The U.S., Europe, and Japan are all accelerating their development."
Miso looked over the data regarding the competitors.
"The progress of each company is quite fast, but none of them have released a prototype yet."
"Fortunately, in terms of mock-ups, we are the fastest."
"Once the pilots finish their proficiency training, let's go straight into test evaluations. We’ve already secured the development data needed for type certification, and since we only need the flight test data, we need to pick up the pace. And Taesik!"
At Miso's sudden request, Taesik looked at her.
"I need your help. I can handle the domestic media, but I want to invite the U.S. media for the first UAM flight. To capture the market first, we need to let them know that we are the furthest ahead."
"I'll ask Sein for cooperation."
Perhaps her dormant instincts as a manager were boiling over, as Miso began discussing the current issues with Director Kim. Taesik wandered around the UAM, watching the engineers conducting ground function tests.
While discussing with Director Kim, Miso said,
"We must emphasize the four principles of UAM (Urban Air Mobility). We will focus our promotion on the four elements: safety, low noise, economic feasibility/accessibility, and passenger-centric design. Also, we will increase customer accessibility by installing vertiports in locations throughout LA, starting with our current site."
Director Kim looked troubled by Miso's assertion.
"Executive Director! The funds invested in the UAM business are almost exhausted. Without additional investment, we cannot install the real estate and facilities for the vertiports."
At Kim's troubled expression, Miso smiled and answered while looking at Taesik, who was wandering around the UAM.
"My husband over there will put in the money we need."
Director Kim realized his mistake and said, "Congratulations to both of you on your marriage."
"Hahaha. My husband has an inexhaustible money bag, so he’ll be investing the necessary funds. Don't worry, and please submit the report as soon as the budget scale is set."
While Miso worked, Taesik picked up his phone to ask Sein for media cooperation. Sein boasted that since the PR department was already in contact with many reporters, he would ensure it was reported on major news outlets in time for the first flight date.
After finishing their work at the UAM site, they returned to the hotel and turned on the TV. The news was reporting on a hearing to prevent school shootings. Lawmakers were criticizing the FBI's countermeasures regarding the school shooting incidents, and the FBI Director was listening to the lawmakers' rebukes before receiving documents from an aide and beginning to answer one by one.
"As you lawmakers know, the Department of Education has been deploying campus police since the 1999 Columbine High School shooting in Colorado. However, due to a lack of personnel and facilities, school shootings are occurring frequently. We introduced X-ray scanners to ban the entry of firearms, but there have been incidents where outsiders entered the school or firearms were smuggled in, evading the eyes of campus police."
"FBI Director! There's no need to mention facts we already know, is there? Tell us your countermeasures!"
"This time, in addition to the existing system, we plan to apply a state-of-the-art security system. We intend to prevent school shootings by building a system that uses CCTV installed in schools to detect outsiders and automatically notify campus police and nearby police stations when an individual carrying a firearm approaches."
"Director! Isn't facial and object recognition technology still in the research stage and unverified?"
At the lawmaker's question, the Director smiled and said,
"It is a technology that has already been verified in Korea."