Chapter 461: Please Proceed with the Sale

Mwamba continued to advocate while explaining the situation in Congo.

I listened carefully gathering information from his words.

How much time had passed?

Shortly after Medvedev returned from his brief meeting with President Yoon Chang-ho.

As he downed champagne right after taking his seat I asked him.

“How did the meeting go?”

Medvedev rubbed his neck and nodded.

“Well enough I suppose. Today was just to congratulate his inauguration so we didn’t get into detailed negotiations. I also needed to gauge this administration’s inclinations.”

“I see. Are you returning tomorrow?”

“Yes. The domestic situation isn’t exactly ideal.”

I already knew their internal affairs weren’t going well.

Though it wasn’t something to discuss openly. Seems he’d given me permission to know such matters.

“I understand. I’ll make time to visit Moscow later. We can have a proper discussion over drinks then.”

“Sounds good. You’re always welcome Mr. Kim.”

When Medvedev returned Mwamba awkwardly smiled and distanced himself.

I gestured toward Minister Mwamba and said.

“While you were away I spoke with Minister Mwamba. I’m considering investing in Congo.”

“Ah… excellent choice. Congo’s mineral resources are limitless so I thought you might invest. The UN intervention ended the war but only forced Rwanda and other countries to withdraw their troops. If the civil war properly ends the investment value will increase even more.”

“Is that so? I knew the basics but wasn’t aware of the details.”

Medvedev glanced at Mwamba and switched to speaking Russian.

“Sporadic fighting between rebels and government forces still occurs in eastern Congo. So if you invest focus on the western region not the east.”

“Thank you for the advice.”

Medvedev nodded and continued.

“It’s nothing compared to what you’ve done for us. More importantly you need to come to Russia as soon as possible. The sale of Yukos has been decided.”

“So it’s finally happened?”

“Yes. While you’re already designated as the primary negotiator it would be better if you came in person. Oil prices are gradually rising and we can’t leave Yukos as is. The longer we wait the bigger the impact on Russia’s economy.”

Medvedev frowned. Given Yukos’s significant share in Russia’s economy he seemed worried.

“The sooner we sell the better but Britain suddenly expressed interest in acquiring Yukos’s management rights. They’ve proposed having funds ready to repay Yukos’s debts and if needed they’re willing to pay all damages charged to Chairman Khodorkovsky.”

This was truly a dramatic proposal. I couldn’t help but ask.

“Britain? Is the British government involved?”

“No. Several private funds formed a consortium and sent our government a letter. They included the condition of transferring Chairman Khodorkovsky’s shares. But we have no intention of selling our company to Britain.”

“As the world’s fourth-largest oil company Yukos would certainly attract British investors.”

Yukos had value that would attract not just British investors but major American oil companies as well.

After brief consideration I added.

“If oil prices continue rising the U.S. government will step in. The Yukos situation is one of several factors driving up prices.”

“The main reason for current oil prices is the Iraq War. Blaming us makes no sense.”

“When has America ever cared about making sense? Their only goal will be stabilizing oil prices. They won’t care who takes over Yukos as long as the situation is resolved quickly.”

After starting the Iraq War to secure oil fields America wouldn’t be happy about high oil prices.

While they wouldn’t directly interfere in Russia’s internal affairs… they’d still want this resolved quickly.

With shale gas development still not properly established high oil prices would burden not just America but the global economy.

“What’s the acquisition amount?”

“At least ten billion dollars possibly more. But no one can have Yukos without the Kremlin’s approval.”

I briefly recalled memories from my previous life.

Yukos went bankrupt after its core subsidiaries were sold to Gazprom the state gas company and Rosneft the state oil company.

Political influence to gain Kremlin’s approval was more important than massive funding to acquire Yukos.

However few foreign investors maintained enough goodwill with the Russian government to gain Kremlin’s approval.

This time was different. They had me someone who claimed friendship with Russia.

Rather than tearing Yukos apart selling it to me would look better to the international community.

For Russia which had just opened its markets and debuted in international society this was preferable to methods that would invite distrust from other countries.

They weren’t foolish enough to choose the worst option when a better one existed.

“Very well. Please designate an asset evaluation agency and proceed with the sale process.”

“Do you have sufficient funds for the acquisition?”

“Are you really worried about my money? It’s been a while since I heard such concerns. I’ll find a way even if I don’t have it.”

Medvedev laughed at my playful response.

“True I shouldn’t be worrying about your finances.”

“By the way doesn’t Roman want to acquire it too? I remember him expressing interest in Yukos before.”

At the mention of Roman Medvedev wrinkled his nose.

“He did but after learning you were likely to acquire it he’s been laying low. He has too many sins to his name.”

Russia’s richest man Mikhail Khodorkovsky had fallen to the Kremlin’s blade.

Roman must feel like he’s walking on thin ice.

The thought that the same could happen to him must be keeping him up at night.

Plus given his numerous misdeeds I’d heard he hadn’t returned to Russia yet.

While the Kremlin could force his return if they wanted they seemed content to leave him be for now.

“From our government’s perspective the sooner we sell the better. Frankly we conducted an aggressive investigation to remove Chairman Khodorkovsky. While they did commit crimes like tax evasion that’s common among Russian companies.”

They want to deal with this before anyone realizes they blew a small issue out of proportion. I nodded.

“Once the asset evaluation is complete I’ll head straight to Moscow.”

“Understood. I’ll proceed with things accordingly. After all Yukos’s stabilization is crucial for Russia’s economic growth.”

Yukos directly employed around 100000 people.

As an oil company it also created significant indirect employment.

The Kremlin wouldn’t want to drag this out either.

“Of course. I should gladly help for Russia’s bright future.”

Finally the official inauguration party ended and attendees began leaving the guest house.

I stood to leave as well.

That’s when someone called out to me.

“Hello Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok. I’m Kim Min-seok Head of Security responsible for the President’s protection.”

“Ah pleased to meet you. I’ve heard much about you.”

“The President has instructed me to escort you. May I?”

I briefly glanced at my wristwatch. It was already past 10 PM.

“Isn’t it too late?”

“I was only instructed to escort you to the residence.”

Seems he has something urgent to discuss. But there were too many watching eyes around.

“It’s too far to walk.”

Kim Min-seok nodded and called for a pre-arranged vehicle.

I followed him toward the residence. Only the moon in the dark sky lit our way.

“Mr. President Madam First Lady.”

Entering the residence I found the Yoon Chang-ho couple waiting.

I gave them a slight bow in greeting.

“Mr. Kim! Welcome.”

Yoon Chang-ho came forward to shake hands first followed by the First Lady’s greeting.

“Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok. Welcome. It’s been a while.”

After exchanging pleasantries with the First Lady I followed Yoon Chang-ho.

We arrived at the small dining room where I’d previously shared drinks with Kim Hak-gwon.

A generous spread of drinks and food was already prepared on the table.

We sat facing each other. Yoon Chang-ho skillfully poured drinks and offered me a glass.

Taking it I raised my glass as he did the same. We clinked glasses and downed them in one go.

“Ah that’s good. I must have cheap taste. Nothing beats this soju and beer mix at the end of a tough day just before bed. What do you think?”

“They’re all the same to me. Though sometimes I miss sharing soju with friends. Those moments never come back.”

“Hey a young person shouldn’t talk about the old days in front of their elders.”

Yoon Chang-ho joked and I responded with a small smile.

“Thanks to you I’ve finally become President of Korea. The feeling is quite different from when I was President-elect.”

His words carried both joy and regret.

He must be feeling the weight already even before starting his duties.

“Tonight is my first night staying at the Blue House. That’s why I called you here. To share a drink. This is your first time here too right?”

“I’ve drunk here once when former President Kim Hak-gwon invited me.”

“Really? That old man unnecessarily…”

We exchanged several more drinks.

Among various topics the discussion turned to today’s meeting.

The atmosphere suddenly shifted.

“President Bush conveyed that he wants us to take a harder stance on North Korea. He said he wants a completely different atmosphere from Kim Hak-gwon’s government. Though he said we’d discuss details at the upcoming Washington summit.”

That made sense. The Iraq War was starting to stabilize.

From America’s ‘Axis of Evil’ Iraq was gone leaving just Iran and North Korea.

Kim Hak-gwon’s government had been creating a reconciliatory atmosphere with North Korea.

From America’s perspective which needed to maintain North Korea as an enemy this wasn’t a welcome approach.

So pressure came as soon as the administration changed.

“What’s your opinion?”

“I believe diplomatic matters should be handled by you Mr. President. It’s not my place to interfere.”

Curious about his response I deliberately took a step back.

After a long silence Yoon Chang-ho downed his beer in one go. Then he looked straight into my eyes.

“I just need your insight that’s all.”

Though he used the word ‘insight’ he essentially wanted my opinion.

Finally I shared my thoughts.

“First it would be good to improve relations with the U.S. to some extent. North Korea already withdrew from the NPT and provoked by launching missiles into the East Sea. The Security Council has passed resolutions against North Korea and pressure is increasing. If our country continues its reconciliation policy the U.S. will lack justification for pressure.”

Agreeing with my thoughts Yoon Chang-ho nodded and said.

“I think so too. But public sentiment toward America has never been worse. Anti-American protests are happening daily.”

The lives of two girls crushed by a tank were enough to ignite public fury.

As a result anti-American sentiment was at its peak.

“When is the summit with Bush scheduled?”

“It’s planned for June.”

By then anti-American sentiment might decrease somewhat but it was uncertain.

However Korea and America were inseparable nations.

After brief consideration I opened my mouth.