How a Salaryman Became an Underworld Boss

“What brings this on all of a sudden?”

Chairman Yoon Jongu asked Chief Secretary Song Dosok, looking at him in confusion.

“It has been confirmed that over the past few days, Korea Investment has acquired approximately 0.8% of Hangang Electronics’ shares.”

“Hmm... So that’s what happened?”

Chairman Yoon Jongu nodded and continued.

“By the way, what exactly is Chairman Park plotting?”

“It appears Chairman Park intends to make a short-term profit by taking advantage of the information that Hangang Electronics, Endivia, Bongard Group, and Korea Investment are establishing a joint venture.”

“A perfectly reasonable assumption. We should also play it safe and purchase additional Hangang Electronics shares, shouldn’t we?”

“I’ve already instructed the CEO of Hangang Investment accordingly.”

Knock. Knock. Knock.

At that moment, the office door opened, and a secretary entered, handing Chairman Yoon Jongu a note.

After unfolding it and reading its contents, he tilted his head and asked,

“Did you ask Chairman Park why he wanted to see me?”

“He said he came because he wanted you to treat him to lunch.”

“Then he must be bringing important news. Let them in.”

A short while later, Chairman Park Yeongil, Cha Jiham, and Chief Secretary Kang Inhan entered the office.

Watching us come in, Chairman Yoon Jongu spoke with a mischievous grin.

“Oh? Even Cha is here?”

Just as expected, Chairman Park Yeongil immediately flared up.

“Listen here, Chairman Yoon. Why are you calling him ’Cha’ when he has the title of Director?”

“He may be a Director at your company, but at ours he’s just an ordinary employee.”

“I think you’re mistaken. Director Cha came to your company as a representative of ours.”

I had anticipated exactly this development and hadn’t wanted to come in the first place. But since I couldn’t disobey Chairman Park’s order, I had followed him anyway, feeling as though I were being led to the slaughterhouse.

After briefly considering how to stop their argument, I spoke up.

“Please excuse me, but it honestly makes no difference to me whether I’m called Director or simply Cha.”

“It does to me.”

“To me as well.”

Neither Chairman Park Yeongil nor Chairman Yoon Jongu had the slightest intention of listening to me.

Fortunately, at that moment the secretary brought in drinks, and their verbal duel came to a natural end.

After quenching his thirst, Chairman Yoon Jongu asked Chairman Park in an irritated tone,

“So why are you here?”

“Didn’t your secretary tell you the reason for my visit?”

“Explain why I should buy you lunch.”

“Director Cha will answer.”

At once, Chairman Yoon Jongu and Chief Secretary Song Dosok turned their eyes toward me.

Recalling the scenario I had prepared beforehand, I slowly began.

“About an hour ago, I received a call from an internal source within Bongard Group.”

“An internal source?”

“It’s Tracy, Chairman Bongard’s granddaughter.”

“So my suspicions were correct. That means you and Tracy talk quite often?”

Tracy and I usually spoke once or twice a week.

Knowing where an honest answer would lead, I decided to greatly downplay the extent of our communication.

“Not that often. We just call each other whenever there’s something important.”

“I see. Tell me what you discussed.”

“Chairman Bongard and Chairman Hudson will be visiting South Korea next Wednesday.”

“And she chose to tell Director Cha such important news before anyone else? Why?”

I had been expecting that question, so I already had a convincing answer prepared.

“Recently, Korea Investment purchased shares of Hangang Electronics and Endivia. Since Chairman already knows why we bought those shares, I won’t repeat the explanation.”

“Correct.”

“The success of investing depends on the accuracy and speed of information. I specifically asked Tracy to provide me with information so I could maximize our investment efficiency.”

“What do you think about her sharing important information because of her personal feelings?”

“Since Chairman Bongard was in the same room at the time, I don’t believe personal feelings were the only reason.”

“So Chairman Bongard gave permission for the information to be shared.”

“That’s exactly the same conclusion I reached, Chairman.”

At that moment, Chief Secretary Song Dosok, apparently intrigued by something, joined the conversation.

“By the way, Director Cha, why did you decide to buy Endivia shares?”

“I’m not sure I understand your question, Chief Secretary.”

“Recently, Endivia’s stock reached a new high and has been gradually declining.”

“The price is falling because short-term investors are selling their holdings to lock in profits.”

“If I understand correctly, you’re implying that Endivia’s stock still has room to rise even further. Am I right?”

“At the moment, the company’s stock can’t rise significantly because they’re unable to secure enough HBM memory to meet demand. Once news breaks about the establishment of a joint venture to manufacture HBM memory, the stock will gain further growth potential.”

“I see. Then how many Endivia shares has Korea Investment purchased?”

I deliberately turned toward Chairman Park.

As though reading my mind, he gave a slight nod.

“We purchased approximately 6.6 billion dollars’ worth of shares, about nine trillion won.”

“An enormous amount. What rate of return are you expecting on the investments for both companies?”

“We’ve set target returns of 30% for Hangang Electronics and 50% for Endivia.”

“Can returns that high really be achieved?”

I was confident they could.

However, since circumstances could always change, it was better to remain cautious.

“I’ve only stated our target figures.”

“And what if... the investment ends up losing money?”

“The news about the joint venture is unquestionably positive.”

“That’s true. It’s hard to imagine any negative news strong enough to outweigh something that positive. We should have acted sooner...”

Blaming himself, Chief Secretary Song Dosok hurriedly left the office.

Watching his retreating back, Chairman Yoon Jongu turned to me.

“Is there anything else I should know?”

“The news about the joint venture will reach the stock market on Monday evening.”

“Hmm, I understand. Is there anything our company can do to maximize the returns?”

“As soon as the article appears online, please confirm it without delay.”

“That goes without saying. Anything else?”

“The moment you reach your target return, don’t hesitate. Sell the shares immediately.”

“I understand what you’re getting at.”

“That’s all I have to say regarding the stock investment.”

At that moment, Chairman Park Yeongil joined the conversation.

“I think I’ve earned that lunch now, don’t you, Chairman Yoon?”

“Ahem. Fine. What do you want to eat?”

“Since it’s lunchtime, how about a simple bowl of hearty beef soup?”

“Well... Fine.”

Chairman Yoon Jongu answered indifferently.

***

After finishing our hearty beef soup and returning to Korea Investment, I immediately sent Cha Hyeonji a message.

— Cha Jiham: Are you in class?

Whoosh—

The moment the number ”1” disappeared, the phone in my hand vibrated.

Knowing exactly who it was, I answered immediately.

“Aren’t you busy?”

[No classes today. What’s up?]

“Chairman Park wants us to have dinner together. Be there on time, and bring Saho to Chairman Park’s residence.”

[With Saho? All right, got it.]

“This morning, two million dollars was transferred into my account. Go to the bank right now and open a foreign currency account.”

[But I don’t need it immediately. Can’t it wait?]

“Suit yourself. See you later.”

Click.

Immediately after the call, I summoned Executive Director Cho Myeongjeong and Executive Vice President Ju Seongjin through the internal phone.

A moment later, they entered the office and bowed politely.

Their excessive courtesy made me somewhat uncomfortable, but I chose not to dwell on it.

After they sat down on the sofa, I began.

“Executive Director Cho, have you decided which journalist we’ll use to spread the rumor in the stock market?”

“We’re considering Ohm Ungi, the president of Korea Economy.”

I had expected Executive Director Cho Myeongjeong to choose one of the largest newspapers.

Instead, he had selected a second-tier financial newspaper.

I asked him directly why.

“In the field of economic journalism, it’s hard to find anyone with greater recognition than President Ohm.”

“And more importantly, Korea Economy is majority-owned by our company.”

Executive Vice President Ju Seongjin added in support of Executive Director Cho Myeongjeong.

“Ah, I see.”

“Yes, Director. May we provide the information to President Ohm?”

“Go ahead. Now let me explain why I called both of you here.”

“We’re listening.”

“Hangang Group has also decided to purchase Endivia shares. However, they’re dissatisfied that they only have until this evening to complete their purchases. Therefore, I’d like you to publish the news about the joint venture on Tuesday morning instead.”

“We’ll carry out your instructions.”

Something felt off.

For just a brief instant, Executive Director Cho Myeongjeong’s expression twisted before returning to normal.

“Executive Director Cho, do you have objections to my decision?”

“Lately, it feels as though our company is constantly yielding to Hangang Group.”

I needed to change his skeptical attitude.

“I could have refused Chairman Yoon Jongu. Nevertheless, the reason I accepted his proposal was because of our Chairman.”

“You mean... because of our Chairman?”

“I intend to purchase shares using our Chairman’s personal funds.”

“Ah...”

As though he finally understood my intention, Executive Director Cho Myeongjeong fell silent and nodded.

“Well then, shall we go see Chairman Park?”

***

“Director Cha, what is it?”

Chairman Park Yeongil looked at me with a puzzled expression.

“I have something important to discuss with you, Chairman.”

“Is that so? Go ahead.”

“You once offered to lend me ten trillion won as seed capital so I could prepare the funds needed to pay the inheritance tax, but I declined. Instead, I suggested that you invest in stocks through me, and I asked for fifty percent of the profits. Do you remember?”

“Of course I remember.”

“Chairman, during lunch with Chairman Yoon, I finally decided which asset we should invest in.”

“You’re saying you want me to buy Endivia shares with my personal funds?”

I shook my head.

“Endivia’s stock has risen dramatically over the past several months. If you buy it now, the return will be forty to fifty percent at best.”

“You make it sound as though you’ve found another asset capable of generating even higher returns. Am I right?”

“You are, Chairman. I’ve set my sights on Bongard Group.”

“Bongard Group...”

Chairman Park Yeongil fell silent and began tapping the sofa’s armrest with his fingers.

Fortunately, he didn’t think for long.

After stopping the tapping, he looked at me.

“Tell me why you want to buy Bongard Group shares.”

“That company is going to own a thirty percent stake in the new joint venture.”

“Exactly! That’s it!”

As though he had finally understood my plan, Chairman Park Yeongil slapped his knee.

To further strengthen his resolve, I played my trump card.

“Since the beginning of the year, Bongard Group’s shares have fallen by roughly thirty percent. The moment news spreads throughout the stock market that the company is investing in the joint venture, they’ll instantly recover those losses and soar through the roof.”

“Without question. They certainly will. How many Bongard Group shares would be reasonable to purchase?”

“I believe the answer is ’More & More.’”

“Executive Director Cho, did you hear what Director Cha just said?”

“Yes, Chairman!”

Executive Director Cho Myeongjeong answered in a loud, confident voice.