Countermeasures
Yeouido Athena. The massive tidal wave known as the financial real-name system was approaching.
To prevent enormous damage to JK Group, Min-ho had persuaded his grandfather. Chairman Kang had readily agreed and promised to prepare accordingly.
To others, it was a gigantic wave to be avoided at all costs. But to Min-ho, it was a prime opportunity to haul in a bountiful catch. The temporary social chaos was a chance for him—and if exploited well, it would allow him to amass another fortune.
While Min-ho was receiving reports after ordering a meeting, Choi the lawyer opened the door and entered.
"Young master, the meeting preparations are complete."
Min-ho, who had been scribbling busily, closed his notebook and stood.
"Good work. Let's head there right away."
Min-ho moved straight to the conference room. Gathered there were the presidents of Athena's affiliates and the key department heads.
"Good morning."
Min-ho sat and scanned each of their faces intently before suddenly rising from his chair for some reason.
He lowered the blinds and personally double-checked the lock. It was unprecedented, leaving the team members quite flustered.
Section Chief Cheon Dong-gwan cautiously raised his hand.
"President, is something going on today?"
"Things come up anytime. I just checked once more, just in case," Min-ho replied. Normally, he could predict issues, but today nothing came to mind. Lowering his voice slightly, he continued, "Everyone knows the rules of this conference room, right?"
President Yang Sang-pil answered, "Yes. No words leave this room to the outside."
"Good. This matter is crucial too. If anything I say from now on leaks out, I'll hunt it down to the end and hold them accountable. Understood?"
"-Yes, President."
"-Understood."
Breaking the heavy silence, Min-ho stood and wrote five letters on the whiteboard before speaking.
"That's why I called this meeting today. Exactly twenty days from now, the government will play the financial real-name system card."
It was a policy that had fizzled out twice before. They couldn't easily believe it. If anyone else had said it, they'd laugh it off—but it came straight from Min-ho's mouth.
Section Chief Cheon Dong-gwan quickly asked, "That means we can no longer use anonymous accounts... and Athena's true owner will be exposed to the world, right?"
"Exactly. Any worries?"
"I've thought about it, but it's still startling now that it's here. I'll move as instructed for now."
President Yang Sang-pil raised a practical question. "If word of the financial real-name system has reached this level, rumors will spread everywhere in a few days. Sorry, but could you tell us your source?"
"No need to worry about that. Only Chairman and us know. And it'll be implemented via emergency order—that's certain."
"Then we need to decide what to do with our current anonymous accounts."
Min-ho sketched a simple diagram on the whiteboard to continue his explanation. "Alright. Convert all bonds and accounts held anonymously by each affiliate back to real names within this week. Any issues?"
"None."
"Choi, change Athena's shareholder registry to my name."
"Got it."
"That's not too hard. Now for the main part."
For the next thirty minutes, he meticulously explained the government's intentions.
President Yang Sang-pil asked, "So, under the pretext of catching black money, they're moving to rein in the conglomerates— that's the idea?"
"Spot on. It's a blade they can wield only once in the early days of the regime. They have to use it before it dulls. That's all President Kim has."
"So we're just changing names and playing defense?"
"You don't like the passive position?"
"Right. Nothing comes to mind right now, but it feels like a golden opportunity if we play it right."
They all knew Min-ho wouldn't just take it lying down. The team watched him with eyes full of anticipation.
"So far, financial ops have been handled by Section Chief Cheon Dong-gwan, thanks to his securities experience. Time to scale it up a bit."
"Pardon? Scale up how?"
"The real estate team will relaunch as Athena Asset Development next month. You'll be president of the new Athena Asset Management too, Chief Cheon."
"Me...? Really?"
"You've done great so far and will keep doing so. Can I trust you?"
He was already grateful just to have escaped Pocheon and live normally. Cheon stared in disbelief at Min-ho's sudden gift.
"Of course, with a condition. Nail this job. Think you can?"
"Absolutely. I can handle it."
"Simple rundown: How much from the land sale?"
"One trillion. Plenty of cash."
What would happen to the economy once the financial real-name system hit? Everything would feel it, but stocks would react most sensitively.
"How do you see the market? Crisis? Opportunity? Share your thoughts."
"Hmm... Not sure how much money's anonymous, but if I were a chaebol chairman, I'd move it overseas."
"And then?"
"Sell orders would dominate, crashing the stock market, I'd think."
"Half right, half wrong."
An unexpected national policy was bad news, often dubbed a crisis. But it was just market jitters—a phantom born of fear. In reality, after the financial real-name system launched, the KOSPI plunged in panic for two weeks... only to surge sharply soon after, as the economic damage proved minimal. Only Min-ho knew this. Exploit it right, and the profits would be massive.
"Chief Cheon. If a drop's coming, what do you do?"
"Put options, obviously..."
Knowing Min-ho's style, Cheon shook his head, denying the safe play. "President... you don't mean... invest the full one trillion... all at once?"
"Others' crisis is my opportunity."
"Still... reconsider?"
"Decision's made. Sell at the bottom, bet on the rise."
Unbelievable. The team could only gape.
Unlike them, Min-ho knew exactly how this would shake the market. A temporary plunge was inevitable, but institutions and foreigners would buy in, driving stocks sky-high. Sweeping up the money was just a matter of time.
Without delay, Min-ho issued another order. "Once this is done safely, buy 10% of JK Mutual Savings Bank shares."
"Understood."
No need for a noisy fight with Du-seong. Cripple his arms and legs first, and victory was assured.
"Next, More Times President Jo Dong-uk."
"Yes, President."
"Time to show your skills after so long, right?"
"Just give me the word—I'll do my absolute best."
"How much do you know about Seoul Mayor Choi Ho-seon?"
"Pardon? Is the mayor tied to this somehow?"
The sudden mention of Seoul's mayor caught him off-guard. Min-ho continued calmly, unfazed.
"I'm taking him down."
"What? Why the Seoul mayor out of nowhere? What's that got to do with the financial real-name system?"
"Hyojadong's aiming blades at us. Even if they can't charge outright, shouldn't we at least chuck a brick back?"
"I get that, but why target the mayor instead of Hyojadong?"
"Toppling the prime minister takes time. The government would defend him tooth and nail."
Min-ho's sharp blade was pointed at the government. Startled, President Jo asked in disbelief, "The president appointed him just two months ago."
"Topple a guy like that, and we can question the president's picks—shake his approval ratings, hit him where it hurts."
Counting on his fingers for dates, Jo replied, "Nix him in two months... bound to dent the ratings."
"President Kim takes the biggest hit. Can you do it?"
"Of course. If it's a scoop, that's More Times for you."
"Dig into the mayor's wife, son, daughter, relatives—everything. Air every speck of dirt till it bleeds. If none, make some."
"Got it."
Min-ho clapped his hands. "Security's life-or-death here too. Keep mouths shut, handle assignments personally. Good work, everyone."
"-Good work, sir."
"-President. Thanks for your hard work."
***
JK Group headquarters. Moon Sang-oh stood alone on the rooftop, face troubled, silently gazing at distant mountains.
The creaking rooftop door opened, and Deputy Secretary General Baek Jung-hyeon entered.
"You called for me, Managing Director?"
"Didn't mean to pull you from busy work."
"It's fine. Won't affect operations."
He pulled out a cigarette he hadn't smoked that morning, lit it, inhaled deeply, then cut to the chase.
"How many on the young master's security detail now?"
"Eight total. Any orders from Chairman?"
"Nah. For now, just you and two others move. Have the rest stand by."
"Managing Director, something up?"
Placing a hand on Baek's shoulder, he said, "You know Secretarial Office rules?"
"Yes. Don't ask why—when orders come, protect the owner family with all we have. That's our job."
"And twist the info going to Chief Jeong. Make excuses as needed."
"Pardon? Twist reports on purpose?"
"No need for the office to track the young master's exact whereabouts anymore. Just you, me. Got it?"
As the number two in the Secretarial Office and Moon's most loyal, Baek quickly grasped his intent after years together.
"Chief Jeong playing both sides?"
"Nothing confirmed yet. So I need one more thing from you."
"Name it. Anything."
"Stick close to Chief Jeong for now. Track where he goes, who he calls—report every detail."
"Understood."
Moon handed over a white envelope and patted his shoulder. "Use this for expenses. I'll explain everything later—no questions."
"Got it."
He wanted to boot Jeong right then, but had to follow Min-ho's plan: plant watchers to feed false info and sow confusion. He couldn't predict Du-seong's next card, but countering it was Moon's role.
His deep worries burned the cigarette fast. He stubbed the filter in the trash and headed down.
At that moment, at Soseonjae, Secretary General Jeong Dong-gyun arrived.
"President Gu, long time no see!"