Chapter 2: A Major Shift
Now it was time to surprise the wealthy old man with a twist of fate.
I turned to my mother, who was smiling gently, and spoke up.
“And Mother…”
“Yes?”
“When I grow up, I want to be the president of a big company, just like Grandfather.”
With that single sentence, the expressions on both their faces changed dramatically.
Chairman Jin, who had been trembling with anger, suddenly beamed like a mask of joy, while my mother looked utterly taken aback, unable to hide her surprise.
“Ha ha ha! You can’t deny blood ties, can you? Sometimes it skips a generation, but it always shows up. Yes, indeed.”
My grandfather’s hearty laughter left my mother speechless. She must have felt a pang of emotion, seeing her young son suddenly mature, trying to prevent a clash between the two adults.
“What do you say, my dear? You have nothing to say now, do you? Our Do-jun dreams of being a manager too, doesn’t he? Ha ha ha.”
For a moment, my mother’s eyes widened in shock, and seeing her reaction, my grandfather also stopped laughing, looking a bit flustered.
An awkward silence hung in the air for a while.
Unable to bear the tension, my mother suddenly stood up from the sofa.
“Father, would you like another cup of tea?”
“Uh… yes. Bring it to Do-jun’s room. I have a few things to discuss with my grandson…”
“Yes.”
As my mother headed to the kitchen, my grandfather took my hand and led me upstairs.
I pondered the sudden change in atmosphere.
Could it be?
Was it because of the word “dear”?
Was it the first time he addressed her as a typical daughter-in-law instead of using her name?
I wanted to believe it wasn’t, but I couldn’t find any other reason for the awkwardness.
“Teachers, you may leave now. Please take good care of our Do-jun from now on.”
As the tutors bowed and left the room, my grandfather glanced around my room before sitting me down at the edge of the bed.
“Do-jun.”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
“Do you remember what you said a few days ago?”
“Uh? What…?”
“The story about the three friends.”
“Oh! The three powerful friends?”
“Yes, that’s the one.”
Of course, I remembered. That was probably why he had come to see me today.
He began talking about the most intriguing political race involving the three major candidates.
“Just as you suggested, I sent gifts to those three friends. To get on their good side.”
“Oh, did you?”
Had he already handed over slush funds? He was a man of swift action.
“But things are taking an unexpected turn, starting today.”
He couldn’t have predicted the government’s sudden surrender, making it hard to foresee the political storm brewing.
“Well… the second and third are teaming up to try and beat the first.”
After a pause, my grandfather began explaining in a way that even a child like me could understand.
“They’re fighting?”
“Yes. It would be nice if the three of them got along, but they’ve started to quarrel. So now I’m in a bind. I have to choose just one.”
“But Grandfather.”
“Yes, go on.”
“Are those three people trying to become president?”
“Yes, they’re all vying to be the class president.”
“So if the second and third team up and win, do they become president and vice president?”
“No, there’s no vice president in a country. Only a president.”
“Oh, then the first will win.”
Chairman Jin’s eyes widened at my simple prediction.
How seriously would this old man take my words?
“What? Why do you think that?”
“Why would the second and third team up if there’s no vice president? Only one of them can be president.”
“They won’t team up?”
“Of course not. The third isn’t far behind the second, so why would they help without gaining anything? The last place might help the first, but the third would never help.”
The second and third, YS and DJ, had spent their lives in politics. They had survived immense oppression from the military dictatorship and finally, their long-awaited spring had arrived.
Considering their age, it was a spring they might never see again.
Moreover, one should never underestimate human ambition for power. The label of comrades in struggle, which had followed them all their lives, was weightless in the face of their desire for power.
Chairman Jin, who could see through such truths, might overlook these facts if he firmly believed that the two Kims would join forces.
The respected leaders of the democratization movement and charismatic politicians, either of them could surpass the ruling party’s candidate, Roh Tae-woo, if they ran as the opposition candidate.
Both had already hinted at concessions in their competition. In 1986, DJ declared, “I will not run in the next presidential election,” and Kim Young-sam said, “If I am pardoned and reinstated, I will do my utmost to make Kim Dae-jung president.”
Most of the public believed in their goodwill and integrity. It was only a matter of time before they united, and no one doubted it.
However, if one left room for the possibility of their rivalry, Chairman Jin, who knew human nature better than anyone, wouldn’t miss it.
“The two gentlemen turning their backs on each other…”
There was no need to elaborate on the future in detail.
A different perspective, and a hint of doubt.
Wasn’t that enough for someone like him to understand?
After pondering for a while, he patted my head.
“How clever you are, my little one.”
My grandfather’s expression was one of complete satisfaction.
“Father?”
“Yes, he’s talking with Do-jun right now.”
“He didn’t come to check on his studies, did he?”
“Well…”
As his wife cautiously recounted the day’s events, Jin Yoon-ki clenched his teeth.
“What does a ten-year-old know? He just said that to please Grandfather. That kid is unusually perceptive, isn’t he?”
“Let’s just let it be today. Let’s keep Father in a good mood.”
Feeling a bit different, Jin Yoon-ki looked at his wife, puzzled.
“What’s going on? You seem strange. Did Father say something to you?”
“It’s not that…”
She couldn’t bring herself to tell the truth.
For the first time since their marriage, her father-in-law had called her “dear.”
She couldn’t admit that it had almost brought her to tears because her pride wouldn’t allow it.
“Anyway, please don’t say anything unnecessary today. I’m asking you.”
At his wife’s earnest request, Jin Yoon-ki nodded.
He waited for his father, who was completely smitten with his grandson, to come downstairs.
Though he had never paid much attention to him or his wife, he had always doted on the youngest, Do-jun. But recently, even doting seemed like an understatement.
According to his wife, his father even intended to groom Do-jun to participate in the group’s management. The promise of shares was a shocking revelation.
Chairman Jin had always transferred shares to his children and grandchildren when they turned twenty. The more he liked them, the more he gave, and he stopped if they disappointed him.
Jin Yoon-ki had never received a single share. He thought he never would.
The idea that he might receive shares if he raised Do-jun well was undoubtedly a significant change.
Just then, a voice interrupted Jin Yoon-ki’s thoughts.
“Are you here?”
“Oh, yes, Father.”
Chairman Jin was holding Do-jun’s hand tightly.
“Do-jun, Grandfather is going to head back now. Study hard…”
“Yes, Grandfather. Goodbye.”
Chairman Jin patted my head once more and gestured to my father.
“Come with me for a moment.”
Jin Yoon-ki alternated glances between his son and father before heading to the garden.
Chairman Jin’s secretaries bowed as they spotted the two of them.
“I’m heading to headquarters, so get ready to leave. Prepare for the executive meeting. Oh, only gather the core affiliates.”
At the mention of an executive meeting, the secretaries quickly sprang into action.
Jin Yoon-ki stood there, avoiding his father’s gaze.
“You may not realize it, but Do-jun is no ordinary child. He’s just like me.”
“I haven’t noticed, but why do you say that?”
Remembering his wife’s request, he didn’t ask in a confrontational manner and spoke as politely as possible.
“He has a strong sense of ownership and quick judgment. His insight is remarkable, not something you’d expect from a child. He’s a natural.”
“Do-jun has a strong sense of ownership? You must be mistaken. He’s always been the type to yield to his older brother, even though he’s mature for his age, he has no greed.”
“That’s proof of your inadequacy. To not know what kind of child he is while watching him closely. How pathetic…”
Though the words were provoking, Jin Yoon-ki held his tongue.
He had decided to heed his wife’s advice today.
“Are you considering him for group management?”
“That’s up to Do-jun’s abilities. I’m just giving him the opportunity.”
“Isn’t he still a child? It’s too early to tell how he’ll turn out. Isn’t it too hasty?”
“Do-jun said his dream is to be a president. Of course, as he grows, he might become a reckless third-generation chaebol. So, I’m telling you to watch him closely and raise him well.”
There was no need to argue against the textbook advice of raising a child well.
Jin Yoon-ki nodded obediently.
“Send him to me once a week from now on. I don’t want to miss the joy of watching him grow.”
Seeing the usually cynical and indifferent Jin Yoon-ki being so polite, Chairman Jin’s expression softened.
“I’ll be going now.”
Chairman Jin patted his son’s shoulder once before heading to headquarters.
Executive Meeting.
Chairman Jin of the Sunyang Group rarely attended regular executive meetings.
His eldest son, Vice Chairman Jin Young-ki, presided over the meetings, and Chairman Jin only received the results.
At 66, Chairman Jin was empowering his 46-year-old eldest son to take over the group.
It was much like when King Taejong stepped down as the retired king, and King Sejong took over the royal duties.
Just as Taejong didn’t relinquish military power, Chairman Jin hadn’t given up the group’s personnel authority.
Chairman Jin’s presence at the executive meeting signaled that they were about to tackle some exceptionally critical issues.
At that time, the Sunyang Group was a conglomerate with 48 subsidiaries and an annual revenue of 24 trillion won. Imagining what it would become in 30 years was nearly impossible.
Of course, it remained the largest company in the country, a fact that hadn’t changed.
Chairman Jin Yang-cheol silently observed as the twenty or so heads of key subsidiaries whispered among themselves.
Each of them had their own network of information.
They were people with connections across various sectors, and with the years they had lived, they had amassed a wealth of acquaintances. They absorbed all sorts of information, which they needed to compile and analyze to reach a final conclusion.
Naturally, the ultimate decision rested solely with Chairman Jin.