Before Winter Ends 5
“It’s unsettling to hear. Hyung’s Sunyang? It’s our Sunyang.”
When his younger brother spoke sternly, Jin Young-ki’s expression hardened as well.
“Don’t nitpick. When Father passes, whose face will be all over the media during the funeral? It’ll be me, the eldest son. Everyone watching will see me as the successor. That’s what I meant.”
Sensing an opportunity, Vice Chairman Jin Young-ki began to persuade his brother.
“Let’s lower our defenses for a while. Just support me until we get rid of the leeches clinging to Sunyang. I promise I won’t touch your share.”
“By support, you mean you want to take over the chairman’s office once Father is gone, right?”
“Isn’t that necessary? How long can we leave the position vacant? When Father passes, the group will be in turmoil. Someone needs to stabilize it. And…”
Jin Young-ki pulled out a stack of papers from a drawer.
“Father gave me these. Resignation letters from the affiliate presidents. So we can reshuffle whenever needed.”
Jin Dong-ki chuckled at the sight of the resignation letters.
“Did you think you were the only one? I have the resignation letters from the presidents of the affiliates I manage too. That’s Father’s intention—to run the group together.”
“So let’s get rid of the parasites together. Clear out the old-timers who think they’re founding members, turn the company into a holding company, and cut ties with Do-jun and Miracle. I’ll be the acting chairman of Sunyang Group until then.”
“And after that? Kick me out?”
Ignoring his brother’s skeptical gaze, Jin Young-ki continued.
“You’ll be the vice chairman. I told you I wouldn’t touch your share. Do whatever you want with your affiliates. And…”
“Is there more?”
“We’re getting older, and our kids are growing up. By the time our kids take over, let’s split the group. We can end the fight in our generation and let our kids take their share.”
Jin Dong-ki understood what his brother meant.
Their children would fight just like them, each trying to claim more. The sibling relationship would only last until they got involved in management.
Once they stepped into the company, they would no longer be brothers but competitors fighting for control. They needed to prevent that fight from spreading to their cousins.
The reason the two of them were fighting so fiercely now was partly for their children. They were maneuvering and battling to pass on as much as possible, or ideally, the entire Sunyang Group.
“I agree to get rid of all the pests around us. But I can’t accept you staying as chairman after that.”
“Hey! Once we establish the holding company and secure 55% of the shares, our control is safe. I’ve already made significant concessions! Don’t you trust me?”
Their agreement was to split the 55% shares in a 55:45 ratio.
Considering Jin Dong-ki currently held only 26% of the group’s shares, while his brother held 36%, Jin Young-ki’s claim of making a significant concession was true.
“The longer you stay as chairman, the more you can increase your shares in the holding company. I know you’re planning to keep increasing your stake. Because I’d do the same.”
Jin Young-ki sighed deeply and fell silent.
For now, he would follow his brother’s thoughts. He had to be satisfied with this much.
At least securing the chairman’s position after their father’s passing was a step forward.
The next step would be to solidify his position once he became chairman. Even if things weren’t clear now, they would become apparent once he was in the role.
Grandfather’s episodes of losing consciousness became more frequent and shorter in duration.
Despite his insistence on avoiding surgery, a simple vascular expansion procedure was unavoidable.
“Listen, I’ve lived a full life. What’s the point of extending it with surgery? Just to live a month or two longer? It’s not worth the fuss. And it’s hard on me too. Enough.”
Every time he collapsed, Grandfather repeated the same words to his gathered children.
But the doctors’ insistence on doing their best and the children’s guilt if they didn’t try made it an unavoidable choice, despite Grandfather’s objections.
I moved to a hotel near the hospital to be ready at a moment’s notice. Grandfather would call when his children weren’t around, and I’d keep him company in his hospital room.
“Southeast Asia seems to have outlived its usefulness as a production base. But it’ll grow into a great market. You should build strong relationships with their politicians, laden with gifts.”
“Instead of that, can’t you tell me some dynamic and spectacular stories from your past? Like a regular grandfather sharing old tales.”
“Quiet. Just listen.”
It seemed Grandfather would continue doing what he’d done all his life until the day he passed.
“There’s a guy who was a deputy minister in the last government. I hear he’s worried about his future as he approaches retirement. His dream is to become a lawmaker, but he’s not well-known and has nothing to show for it, so he didn’t get a nomination this election. Bring him on board.”
“A former foreign ministry official?”
“Yes. He’s been around Southeast Asia since he was young. I hear he has a strong network there. It’s thanks to him that lawmakers can go on inspection trips to Southeast Asia and play golf without issues. He prepares the materials and arranges photo ops with local politicians. He’ll be useful.”
“Alright. I’ll offer him an executive position at Dae-A Construction and bring him in.”
Agreeing and quietly following instructions was the grandson’s way of showing affection.
“By the way, what’s happening with that presidential slush fund scandal?”
“We can’t avoid the investigation either. But it seems they’re planning to use LG Group as a scapegoat. Isn’t that all you hear about these days?”
“How much did they say LG Group contributed?”
“They estimate about 15 billion won.”
“Really?”
“Yes. But they were so clumsy that they left traces everywhere.”
LG Group had a special room in their headquarters, known as the ‘vault room,’ built with fireproof walls. It was where they kept 16 billion won in cash, prepared for inheritance and gift taxes for related shareholders.
Kang, the head of finance, had his team move 15 billion won in cash from the vault room to a waiting truck in the basement parking lot after hours.
The money was packed into 63 boxes: 62 containing 240 million won each and one with 120 million won.
The truck arrived at the ‘Meeting Plaza’ parking lot on the Gyeongbu Expressway, where the campaign’s finance manager, a lawyer, received the keys to the truck and its cargo hold.
However, the truck couldn’t enter the narrow underground parking lot of the opposition party’s headquarters.
They moved the truck to the Han River embankment, hastily rented two vans, and transferred the money boxes before finally delivering them to the party headquarters.
Other conglomerates also contributed tens to hundreds of billions, but they did so in smaller amounts, using vans or cars for multiple deliveries. None used such a reckless method.
This was the first time the infamous ‘truckload’ of illegal presidential campaign funds appeared in history.
“Ha ha ha. Only those who’ve eaten meat know how to eat it well.”
Grandfather laughed it off as if it were nothing.
It couldn’t become a major issue anyway. It was a presidential election, after all.
A single executive involved would face trial, and once public interest waned, he’d quietly be released on bail. The world doesn’t change easily.
“Do-jun.”
“Yes.”
“Do you have any vacancies at your company?”
“Well, I haven’t done any executive reshuffling like my uncles, so there probably aren’t many.”
“Not Sunyang Finance. I mean your company.”
“Oh, HW Group? It’s probably the same, but I’ll have to check. I don’t really get involved in HR matters.”
“Not executive positions. After I pass, there will be presidents or executives who’ll have to step down because of their incompetent children. I was wondering if you could take care of those lacking kids.”
“If they’re people you care about, Grandfather, I’ll create positions if necessary.”
I answered with a casual smile, but a part of me ached inside.
He was trying to settle any lingering concerns from the past, making sure he left no regrets before he passed.
“Should I make a list of people we owe? I’ll repay them generously, so don’t worry.”
Grandfather, understanding my intent immediately, beamed with a bright smile.
“You’re quick-witted, even for my grandchild, ha ha.”
It was a brilliant move, even in hindsight.
After that, Grandfather let go of thoughts about Sunyang Group’s future.
During our private time, he would reminisce while looking at the secret ledger he had given me, filled with names and past personnel records of Sunyang Group.
He’d recall those he owed favors to and vent about those he felt hadn’t repaid their dues yet.
As he embarked on this journey into the past, Grandfather’s expression brightened, and he spent more time lost in memories. It was a time filled with joy rather than worry.
Sadly, it was clear that time was running out. Grandfather grew weaker by the day.
He slept more and more, and his waking hours grew shorter. When he lost consciousness, it took a long time for him to come around, and the doctors had to be on high alert, monitoring his condition around the clock.
The one thing we could be grateful for was that when he was awake, his mind was clearer than ever.
He remembered even the smallest details from the past, and he could recite the names and ages of all thirteen of his grandchildren without hesitation, something he used to struggle with.
Grandfather dredged up all his memories, and together we compiled a comprehensive list.
“You must feel quite the burden, having to look after so many people,” he remarked.
“How can I possibly manage everyone? Half of them will probably just get a wad of cash as a token and be done with it.”
“Yes, those who can be settled that way, do so.”
With a satisfied look, Grandfather gazed at me and then said something unexpected.
“Could you call your mother for me? Quietly, if you would.”
“My mother?”
“Yes. I’ve wronged her in many ways. It’s not right to leave you to settle my debts. The last person I need to make things right with is your mother. And I need to do that myself. You understand, don’t you?”
When did it start? When did Grandfather begin to feel remorse towards my mother?
Ever since I became close to him, he never mistreated her or made her feel small. He simply acknowledged her as one of his daughters-in-law, maintaining the demeanor of a stern father-in-law.
By now, any resentment my mother held must have faded… This moment of reconciliation was more for Grandfather’s sake than hers.
“Yes. I’ll bring her tomorrow.”