Chapter 760: Do You Really Think So?

“Welcome, Prime Minister Koizumi.”

“It’s a pleasure to see you, Chairman Jang Seong-taek.”

Jang Seong-taek had unusually gathered the world’s media for the North Korea-Japan summit in Pyongyang.

The public summit had a cordial atmosphere, broadcast to the world through the media.

After sending the reporters away, the private meeting that followed was heavy, unlike the public one.

Jang Seong-taek and Prime Minister Koizumi sat facing each other alone, without any aides.

“Haha. Isn’t this a historic moment? North Korea and Japan moving forward together, leaving the past behind.”

Prime Minister Koizumi’s face was full of smiles.

“Leaving the past behind and moving towards the future. Good words. That is if Japan truly reflects on its past.”

“…Isn’t that already agreed upon?”

“Those are matters for the working-level staff to handle. How about we two have an open conversation? Let’s take off the masks and have a sincere talk.”

Jang Seong-taek smiled casually, and Koizumi’s eyebrow twitched.

“What do you mean?”

“What is your reason for establishing diplomatic relations with us, even while paying reparations?”

“Does that matter?”

“Didn’t you say we should move forward together? It’s impossible without trust.”

Koizumi kept his mouth shut. However, Jang Seong-taek continued speaking, not caring.

“If you don’t want to, there’s nothing I can do. But no matter how much I think about it, I can’t understand. Didn’t we maintain a hostile yet symbiotic relationship? It allowed both countries to solidify internal power. Ah, of course, Prime Minister Koizumi did not.”

Japan frequently used North and South Korea for its domestic politics.

Upon hearing this, Koizumi frowned and said,

“I am not a far-right extremist.”

“Is that so? To be honest, I am a nationalist. If I could strengthen my power by using Japan, I would have.”

Koizumi narrowed his eyes at Jang Seong-taek’s tone, which showed he had nothing to lose.

“But instead, I am doing my best to revitalize the Republic’s economy. And I need the reparations that would serve as funds. So, I’m conducting this meeting to improve relations with Japan. Then I wonder. What does Japan gain from this summit and the normalization of relations? Can you tell me?”

At Jang Seong-taek’s question, Koizumi pondered for a moment. He couldn’t figure out what this man was up to.

However, that was only for a moment. Koizumi feigned composure and answered.

“It’s because North-South relations have improved. The international community’s perception of North Korea has begun to change, and East Asia is shaking because of it. But I did not like the fact that there was no place for Japan anywhere.”

Jang Seong-taek nodded.

“I understand Japan’s position. But we have been at odds for too long to trust each other.”

“Can’t we slowly improve our relationship from now on? I’m willing to provide economic support, separate from the settlement. The Chairman has said that he prioritizes economic development, so there is no better offer than this.”

“It sounds like you want to have a stake in the Republic’s business.”

Koizumi didn’t care at Jang Seong-taek’s sharp criticism.

“Isn’t Japan the best-funded country among those close to North Korea? If we join hands, it would be a great help to both of us.”

“Are you telling me to break my promise with CEO Kim Mu-hyeok and join hands with Japan? I see no reason to abandon him, who has already given me his trust, and choose Japan.”

“I’m not saying to abandon CEO Kim Mu-hyeok. I too received a lot of help from him. But apart from that, aren’t there many businesses that both countries can do together?”

Jang Seong-taek and Koizumi continued their conversation for a long time, but they never revealed their true intentions.

* * *

While the North Korea-Japan summit was causing a stir in the world, I was meeting a man.

“I’ve heard a lot about you, CEO Kim. The first person to be promoted internally to CEO at Korea Telecom.”

“Haha. Somehow, it happened that way.”

“And I heard that you’re my senior. You graduated from the Department of Business Administration at Korea University.”

His eyes, which had been slightly wary, softened at the mention of Korea University.

“Oh, is that so? Now that you mention it, I think I’ve heard of you. It was said that Kim Mu-hyeok was the top student at the Law Department of Korea University.”

While we were exchanging greetings, the staff brought in the food we had ordered.

After the staff left, we ate and talked about various things.

“I see that you remained at Korea Telecom even after privatization. I heard that you were flooded with offers from other companies.”

Korea Telecom was a company that successfully privatized, starting from the Ministry of Communications to a public enterprise.

CEO Nam Jung-shik, sitting before me, was also someone who started as a government official and rose to the position of CEO of the privatized Korea Mobile Telecom.

Before being appointed as CEO, he was the Executive Director and Head of Finance at Korea Telecom, the parent company, and was responsible for the company’s finances, a capable man.

“I spent most of my youth with Korea Telecom. There is no reason to go anywhere else.”

He expressed his deep affection for Korea Telecom without hiding it.

“Your relationship with KS Telecom isn’t good, is it?”

In 2002, when Korea Telecom’s privatization was completed, ironically, KS Telecom became the largest shareholder of Korea Telecom.

Nam Jung-shik was one of the internal figures who strongly criticized KS Telecom for that event.

He worked with the government to completely exclude KS Telecom’s influence from Korea Telecom by exchanging shares held by Korea Telecom and KS Telecom.

As the Head of Finance, he led the effort, and KS Telecom tried to scout him.

However, what he said after receiving KS Telecom’s offer left a deep impression on me as well.

“KS Telecom doesn’t exist in my career.”

Nam Jung-shik hated KS Telecom.

No, it would be more accurate to say he loathed them.

During the privatization of Korea Telecom, privatization was delayed due to the connections between KS Telecom and the government, so it was impossible for him to like them.

“It’s neither good nor bad. It’s just a competitor, so it’s hard to maintain good relations.”

“Can you even call them a competitor? The mobile communication market share is more than twice as large.”

Nam Jung-shik stopped using his chopsticks and looked straight at me, asking.

“What is the intention behind your words?”

“I’m talking about reality. If it goes on like this, you’ll remain the second-place player in the mobile communication industry.”

“We don’t know that for sure, do we?”

As far as I knew, Korea Telecom had never beaten KS Telecom even after decades.

“Do you really think so?”

······.

I smiled as I watched Nam Jung-shik, who was unable to answer right away.

“It seems like you know that you can’t win, after all.”

“There is no such thing as absolute. Even if it’s not me, someone will make it happen.”

I nodded and put down my chopsticks.

Then, after taking a sip of tea to refresh my mouth, I continued.

“That’s right. But what does it mean? It only means something if you win with your own hands.”

“I’m just laying the foundation for the privatized Korea Telecom. The rest is up to the next generation.”

“Are you being serious? If so, today’s meeting seems meaningless.”

Nam Jung-shik stared at me. I didn’t avoid his gaze.

“I believe you’re an ambitious man, CEO Nam. You’re not someone who’ll be satisfied with this.”

······.

I smiled at him, who seemed to have many worries, and pressed the bell next to me to call the staff.

The staff who cleared the table brought out the makgeolli and pajeon that had been ordered in advance, and then they left again.

“I heard that you like makgeolli. Let’s have a drink and talk openly.”

Nam Jung-shik didn’t say anything, simply looking back and forth between the liquor and me.

It seemed as if he was trying to gauge what my intentions were.

“Do you remember Grandma’s place in front of Korea University?”

“How could I forget? I practically lived there when I was in college.”

After pouring makgeolli into a tin cup, I held it out in front of him.

“Let’s have a drink first.”

When the glasses clinked in the air, the liquor that had been swaying overflowed slightly.

After emptying the glass at once, I tore off a piece of pajeon and put it in my mouth.

“How is the taste?”

“It seems fine.”

“Compared to what you used to eat at Grandma’s place?”

“Hmm. It feels like the food from Grandma’s was more delicious.”

“Strange, isn’t it? The makgeolli you just drank is more than ten times more expensive.”

“Is that so?”

After a few rounds of drinks, I could feel that Nam Jung-shik’s wariness had somewhat disappeared.

But there was still a hint of him putting up a wall. It seemed true that he was the type of person who didn’t trust people easily.

“Do you know the iPhone?”

Nam Jung-shik nodded.

“Of course. How could I not know that while working in this industry?”

“Apple wants to release the iPhone in the U.S. and South Korea at the same time.”

“Is that true? Why South Korea, specifically?”

“It’s a bit embarrassing to say, but it’s because of me.”

Nam Jung-shik just blinked and moved his lips.

It seemed like I needed to add more explanation, so I added a bit more.

“I’m personally close to Steve Jobs. Thanks to that, I’ve secured exclusive distribution rights for the iPhone in South Korea, China, and Japan. That’s why I asked to meet with you today, CEO Nam.”

“Hmm. Isn’t the iPhone a GSM system?”

“There is also a 3G version separately. It has not been released yet, though. Among the Korean telecom companies, Korea Telecom is the first to offer 3G services, aren’t they?”

“Are you saying that you want to sign an exclusive contract with us?”

I nodded slightly at Nam Jung-shik’s question.

“That’s right. I want to sign an exclusive contract with Korea Telecom.”

Nam Jung-shik’s eyes widened. He picked up the glass in front of him and drank it in one go.

“Still, I don’t understand. Why are you leaving KS Telecom and trying to sign a contract with us?”

“To be honest, I already met with KS Telecom. They refused. Well, they’re just full of themselves.”

“…I guess that is understandable. It is a market that KS Telecom created after all.”

“I’ve heard that Korea Telecom doesn’t like the iPhone either.”

Nam Jung-shik nodded with a distressed face.

“It’s not something we can simply be happy about either. Even just the known information isn’t favorable from a telecommunications perspective.”

“CEO Nam. Do you really think so?”

The Nam Jung-shik I know is someone who did everything he could to bring the iPhone into the country.

Although he eventually failed to bring the iPhone into the country before his retirement, thanks to his efforts, in my past life Korea Telecom was able to exclusively distribute the iPhone in South Korea.

“In the U.S., it will also be distributed exclusively by AT&T, which is second place, not Verizon.”

This was not yet known to the outside world.

“Is that true?”

“Yes. I haven’t signed the contract yet, but it’s already been agreed upon. It will be announced soon. Apple’s policy is to designate one telecommunications company in each country to exclusively supply iPhones for several years.”

“And yet, KS Telecom refused?”

“Yes. They said they couldn’t accept Apple’s requirements.”

“What are the conditions…”

At his tone full of curiosity and impatience, I placed the prepared documents on the table.

“Take a look. These are the conditions Apple is asking for.”

Nam Jung-shik hurriedly picked up the documents and read them. He carefully examined the conditions put forward by Apple with a firm face.

After a while, Nam Jung-shik put down the documents and let out a deep sigh.

“I understand why KS Telecom refused.”

Apple’s requirements for Korea were three major points:

To sell one million units annually in order to maintain the exclusivity.

To expand the Wi-Fi infrastructure nationwide and maintain it.

To pay 10% of the monthly service fee to Apple.

“If Korea Telecom doesn’t accept, I will proceed with negotiations with Geumsung Telecom. If they also refuse, it will not be released in Korea.”

Nam Jung-shik swallowed his groan at my firm tone.

“The top is building a solid castle and blocking the way, while Geumsung Telecom is making a push from below. This will be an opportunity for Korea Telecom.”

“Will the iPhone be successful? The domestic public opinion isn’t so good, is it?”

“You won’t say that once you see it.”

Looking at him tilting his head curiously at my words, I took out an iPhone from my pocket.

“This is a device that is completely different from any other device that has ever come out. It will change people’s lives.”

“Is that the iPhone? How is it possible?”

“I received a gift from Steve Jobs.”

“Can I take a look?”

I nodded and handed the iPhone to him.

He took it with a slightly trembling hand and examined the iPhone for a long time.

“It sure is pretty. The screen is also big.”

“The times will change. And it’s important to seize the market before anyone else. That way, you can take customers from KS Telecom. Even now, Korea Telecom isn’t as competitive as KS Telecom in the device market, right?”

Nam Jung-shik handed the iPhone back to me, nodding.

“That’s true. But will the government allow a monopoly?”

“I will take care of that.”

“And… one million is too many. The smartphone market isn’t that big yet.”

Nam Jung-shik pointed out the problems that would occur when launching the iPhone.

“The devices that have been released so far as smartphones are too embarrassing to even call smartphones. They are too crude for the general public to use. But the iPhone is not like that. I think one million units or more are possible.”

The iPhone came out several years earlier than in my memory. Moreover, its completion was better.

If there is no interference from the government and the Korea Communications Commission, success was guaranteed.

I talked with Nam Jung-shik for a long time about an exclusive introduction.