Flawless Execution
Only six days remained until the Stabilization Fund would be injected. Athena moved with machine-like precision under Min-ho's orders.
"Cheon, don't hesitate—buy up every share of those four stocks as soon as they hit the market."
"Understood."
Cheon Dong-gwan began snapping up the four stocks Min-ho had named.
"No, start scouting sites today. You know location and scale are everything, right?"
"Yes, sir. I'll push as fast as I can."
Yang Sang-pil, president of Athena Distribution, launched into the big-box mart project, while No Jun-hwan, head of real estate, hit the road with his team for on-site inspections.
Controlling public opinion meant wielding yet another edge over the competition.
Min-ho carefully reviewed Jo Dong-uk's report before speaking.
"To build investor hype around the Stabilization Fund, how should we play it?"
"First, I think we need steady articles to familiarize people with the concept."
"That's fine long-term, but we don't have time right now. Focus on the market impact once the funds flow in."
"Got it. I'll lay it on thick."
They needed countermeasures in case Finance Minister Choi Un-seung got cold feet.
"Run those pieces on the Ministry of Finance we discussed yesterday, too—timed just right."
"You want to turn up the pressure?"
"Shape opinion so he doesn't have room to second-guess."
"Yes, sir. Consider it done."
If you grabbed opinion by the hair, you had to drag it all the way to the finish.
One snag, though: The Times was a morning paper, so follow-ups would have to wait until the next day after the fund announcement.
Min-ho pulled another clever move from his sleeve.
"The Ministry will announce around 10 a.m. Newspapers will already be out."
"That's what worries me. But we can't run stories assuming the fund gets approved."
"Can't report on what hasn't happened."
"Exactly. And rushing a weekly edition isn't feasible—it's tricky."
"I've got a fix."
Min-ho placed a sheet from that morning's The Times beside the paper.
"No law says you can only print once a day. Whip up a special edition for the evening run."
"You sure that's legal?"
"Nothing says you can't. Time it to drop right after the announcement."
"Perfect if we steer opinion right."
"You don't slave over a feast just to let the neighbor's dog snatch a taste. Don't sweat printing costs—make it happen."
Jo grinned ear-to-ear before replying.
"I'm thrilled to work under you, sir."
"Had a drink? What's with the sudden gush?"
"From a journalist's view, this is a dream. Orchestrating the big picture ahead of time."
"You know priming opinion makes the next steps a breeze."
"With JK Group's ads covering costs and no one looking over our shoulder, plus evening editions on demand—work's never been this fun."
Jo jotted in his notebook, then spoke up.
"One thing I'm curious about, sir."
"Questions are a reporter's lifeblood. Fire away."
"The press room downstairs aside, you never show your face. Any special reason?"
"Timing's not right yet. Soon, I won't be able to hide even if I wanted to."
"What do you mean?"
No matter how tightly wrapped, Min-ho's role as Athena's true owner would eventually come out. That moment: the financial real-name system's rollout in '93.
With time to spare, he needed to bulk up as much as possible first.
Min-ho tossed out a casual opener.
"Talk of the financial real-name system has bubbled up for years now, right?"
"Government mentions it, then it fizzles—yeah, I remember."
"Won't be long. They'll have to pull the trigger. I'll fill you in when the time comes."
"The fallout will be massive."
"Let's douse the fire on our doorstep first. Jo."
"Yes, sir."
After Jo left, Choi Jong-hoon checked the door before voicing his concern.
"Young master, you really think Minister Choi won't back out?"
"I chewed the meat and handed it to him on a spoon—he won't spit it out. Speak of the devil, phone's ringing."
Min-ho picked up, nodded, and hung up.
"Who was that, young master?"
"I asked Moon Sang-oh to double-check. Answer's as expected. Now we proceed as planned."
***
Finance Minister Choi Un-seung had clasped Min-ho's hand for his own future. The Stabilization Fund injection was greenlit as scheduled.
Media outlets raced to splash the news.
[Just last month, we reported Molotov cocktails flying at Minguo Securities. Today, great news: the Stabilization Fund's coming in.]
[To cut 200 billion in credit extension costs, the Ministry approved the fund. Stocks are surging sharply as a result.]
With prices climbing, clearing the credit drag on the market was only a matter of time. It was bait enough to lure individuals, institutions, and foreigners alike.
Elation and despair split starkly.
JK Securities' Kang Beom-seong, reaping direct gains, threw his arms up in triumph.
Meanwhile, outlets blindsided by the fund news ate crow, missing the scoop.
Seyoung Daily, one of the big three, was funeral-quiet.
The Ministry had announced; they had no choice but to cover it. The concept was alien to them, and The Times was their only reference.
Reporters pored over The Times, churning follow-ups.
They were a top daily, leaders of opinion. The Times? A cash-strapped has-been until recently.
Now the tables had turned. Majors chased The Times's tail.
Managing Editor Han Gil-seong's trembling hands clutched The Times, pride bruised.
Yelling at reporters wouldn't fix it. He couldn't explain it, but since The Times emerged, their influence felt diminished.
Namdo Chemicals—no one saw it coming. Then Su-seo land illegal sales, college entrance scandals in detail. All via The Times.
No coincidence.
He racked his brain: This can't be random... A minnow outpacing us on info? Doesn't add up...
Denial only sharpened the truth.
For a week, The Times alone hammered Stabilization Fund specials. Today, even a special edition.
Morning and evening runs—they owned circulation.
Every hand in Yeouido gripped The Times.
Scariest: all media danced to The Times' tune.
The tail's wagging the dog... head to tip. No way that's chance...
Trembling, he lit a smoke, but the novel dread lingered.
Han scanned The Times again. Front page, every inch: JK Group ads.
A sly grin crept up.
"If Chairman Kang's backing it, something's there... Too perfect a match. Hey, Park."
"Yes?"
"You got burned digging into JK once, right?"
"No story even ran, but they called instantly—killed it on the spot."
Han smiled, idea brewing.
"Dig again."
Park, knowing JK's bite, shook his head cautiously.
"I'd love to, but will JK sit still? No chance."
"I'll take the heat. Scared of Chairman Kang?"
"Not that, but..."
"Stay passive, and they'll snatch our rice bowl. Poke Kang lightly, see the reaction—that'll paint the picture."
"We can really run it?"
"Strike while the iron's hot—start tomorrow."
"Yes, sir."
***
He'd seized the board and shaken it hard. Events unfolded exactly as predicted.
Min-ho reviewed the situation with Choi as usual.
First through the door: The Times' Jo Dong-uk, flushed and teary-eyed.
"S... Sir..."
"What happened? You look rough."
"It's... not... My dream... came true today. Unbelievable... Can't believe..."
Jo sobbed, repeating himself. Choi seated him, handed tissues and water.
Jo gulped air, voice cracking.
"I was a reporter. Still am. Know what reporters dream of?"
"Scoops?"
"My scoop selling out morning and evening editions. Thought it'd never happen in my lifetime. It did. Thank you."
"Only because you trusted and followed through. Congratulations."
"Thank you. A day I'll never forget."
Jo steadied himself, then asked:
"One question: how'd you know the fund would move? Line into the Ministry?"
As Min-ho opened his mouth, the door flew open again—Cheon Dong-gwan, panting and stammering.
"S... Sir, big news..."
"Busy day for drama. What?"
"The stocks... Your picks... All hit the daily limit up."
"Great news."
"Says buyers are scarce, no sellers."
Everything clicked perfectly.
Cheon knew Min-ho's prowess, yet marveled anew.
"How'd you know?"
"Just luck."
"Incredible. Unbelievable."
Jo chimed in:
"Too perfect for luck. Every piece fits like a glove."
"I'll take the praise. Thanks."
The flawless plan executed without a hitch.
In months, over 120 billion would be his.
The platform for the next phase was set.
"Just one step. Next phase incoming—things'll get busy. You ready?"
"Yes, sir—throw anything at me."
"Just say the word; we'll give our all."
Min-ho stepped forward with them into the next stride.