Chapter 18: The Importance of Natural Gas

Starting in 1980 the government established a plan to expand gas supply to promote the use of higher-quality household fuels. As part of this initiative they solidified plans to import Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) leading to the emergence of numerous private city gas providers, primarily in the capital area and major cities.

On October 31, 1986 a ship carrying 57,300 tons of LNG arrived at the Pyeongtaek receiving terminal marking the official start of the city gas business.

The energy used in urban households is rapidly shifting from coal briquettes and oil to natural gas.

The Soviet Union is a resource-rich giant, supplying a staggering 30% of Europe’s natural gas. It’s even rumored that their ultimate diplomatic weapon is threatening to turn off the gas valves.

This absurd threat was incredibly effective. If the Soviet Union closed the gas pipeline valves Europe would be plunged into cold and darkness.

The Soviet government controls Gazprom, the entity responsible for the production, distribution and sale of its natural gas.

Gazprom is a state-owned enterprise where more than half of the board members are high-ranking officials from the Russian government, including ministers and vice-ministers.

If Soonyang gains exclusive rights to import Soviet natural gas and supply it to private city gas providers, it would be akin to holding the Soviet gas pipeline’s valve in their hands.

This monopoly alone would generate enormous profits.

Soonyang had long since set its sights on the objectives to be achieved through the current government’s Northern Policy.

“Yes. Handle that matter as you see fit… More importantly, Hak-jae.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“What do you think?”

The Chairman’s gaze subtly indicated the side room.

“Are you referring to Do-jun?”

As Chairman Jin nodded, Chief of Staff Lee Hak-jae smiled faintly.

“He shows promise.”

“Only promise?”

“I’ll reserve my judgment for ten years from now. Even the most promising saplings can be uprooted by a single typhoon.”

“Are you talking about Do-jun’s father?”

Chairman Jin recalled a promising sapling that had been uprooted and blown away.

“Come to think of it Yoon-ki also changed after studying abroad in England. He was quite useful.”

His voice carried a hint of regret. However Chief of Staff Lee Hak-jae, unfazed, offered an even more critical opinion.

He was one of the few confidants who could speak candidly to Chairman Jin, even offering harsh criticism.

“Do-jun was born to a father with an artistic temperament and an actress mother. He might have the highest probability of undergoing a drastic change.”

“Do-jun’s mother is just a beauty. She became an actress based on her looks. She doesn’t have the entertainer’s temperament.”

He wanted to ask on what basis he made that judgment but stopped himself. The Chairman had an unusual eye for people, so he might be right.

Chief of Staff Lee Hak-jae shifted the topic back to Do-jun.

“However your excessive স্নেহ for him is somewhat understandable. He’s very bright.”

“It’s a shame. He’s too young. If only he were the eldest grandson, I’d feel much more secure.”

His voice dripped with genuine regret.

“Isn’t it enough that you remain in good health for a long time, sir?”

“How many cousins does Do-jun have above him? And three uncles and an aunt. It’s impossible.”

A light sigh and a shake of his head spoke volumes about the practical difficulties. No matter how much money one has, it can’t speed up time.

“If he continues to grow as he is now, wouldn’t it be possible to entrust him with a few subsidiaries? If he manages to grow those companies significantly, wouldn’t that be a blessing in itself?”

“If I toss him a few? My children would never stand idly by. They’d pounce like wolves and tear them to shreds.”

Would wolves merely watch as a cute puppy held a delicious piece of meat? With the puppy’s father uninterested in the meat, the outcome was obvious.

Knowing the nature of Chairman Jin’s three sons and only daughter, Lee Hak-jae realized his suggestion was futile.

“What about you?”

“Yes? What do you mean…?”

“If Do-jun maintains his intelligence ten years from now, whose side will you take? The eldest grandson Young-joon? Or Do-jun?”

Chief of Staff Lee Hak-jae clearly understood Chairman Jin’s intentions. He wanted to leave enough companies to his youngest grandson to ensure he wouldn’t be lacking.

And he had designated Lee Hak-jae as the young grandson’s bodyguard.

“Whoever it may be, I must always side with the Chairman of Soonyang Group.”

As Lee Hak-jae spoke with a smile, Chairman Jin chuckled.

He liked this attitude.

Lee Hak-jae thought and acted according to his own will. It just so happened that his will aligned perfectly with the Chairman’s, making it appear as loyalty to others.

“Even if the person succeeding me as Chairman is more foolish than you, will you be able to serve them as you serve me now?”

“Even Zhuge Liang of Shu served a mentally challenged emperor with utmost loyalty.”

“He served him because he was an imbecile. By placing a scarecrow on the throne, he effectively ruled as emperor himself.”

“That’s harsh, isn’t it? To so thoroughly dismiss Zhuge Liang’s loyalty. Haha.”

Lee Hak-jae burst into laughter but Chairman Jin remained serious.

He revealed that his words were sincere.

Hurriedly stifling his laughter, Lee Hak-jae bowed his head.

“I apologize, Chairman.”

“For what?”

“I didn’t realize you were considering Do-jun to that extent.”

Lee Hak-jae couldn’t meet Chairman Jin’s cold, steely gaze, unable to raise his head.

“If Do-jun grows into a decent vessel, take care of him. If I spin off three or four companies for him my children will try to take them. Just prevent that.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Only then did Chairman Jin’s stern expression soften into a smile.

“So don’t die before me! Cut down on the drinking and smoking and take your vacations.”

“Going on overseas business trips with you is like a vacation in itself, Chairman.”

Lee Hak-jae still couldn’t relax.

He couldn’t shake off the unsettling feeling that today’s mistake might come back to haunt him.

* * *

On May 5, 1988 a baby girl with the rather long name of Adele Laurie Blue Adkins was born into a single-parent family in Tottenham, located in North London, England. On that same day Chairman Jin Yang-cheol, surrounded by all his blood relatives and attendants, went on a picnic to Seoul Land, which wasn’t even open to the public yet.

I don’t know what methods they used but the official opening of Seoul Land was still a week away.

It must have been a hectic time with final preparations underway but a large number of employees were on standby just for our family.

We were only 25 people but when you add the Soonyang Group’s staff and Seoul Land’s employees, there were over a hundred people.

I confirmed it once again. These people are truly selfish. Even my parents, who are the most humane among the family, don’t seem to realize how selfish they are.

Many of the group’s attendants likely have families and children of their own. Given their age range, there must be many heads of households who were eagerly anticipating Children’s Day.

Have any of them ever wondered what those employees might be feeling?

Only I know how they feel.

Although they’re watching every move of the Chairman’s family, their minds must be filled with thoughts of their own children, with whom they should be spending this day.

The guilt they feel towards their families and the hurt their children must be experiencing.

That’s the price we’re paying for our comfortable outing.

Witnessing this absurd situation firsthand, I couldn’t bring myself to pretend to have fun.

“Do-jun, are you not having fun?”

Someone approached me, smiling as they spoke.

Who is this?

He looks familiar.

“I work with your grandfather.”

“Are you a president of one of the subsidiaries?”

“What? Haha. Well… what should I say? I’m not a president yet. I’m the Chief of Staff. It’s a much lower position.”

Chief of Staff? Could it be him?

“May I ask your name…?”

“Oh ho! You’re polite. You even know how to use such formal language. That’s right, since I know your name you should know mine too. I’m Lee Hak-jae, the group’s Chief of Staff. Do-jun’s father calls me ‘older brother’. So you should call me ‘Uncle’. Don’t just use my name. Haha.”

I slowly stopped in my tracks.

This is the man Chairman Jin treated more like an eldest son than his own eldest son, Jin Young-ki.

Although his title was Chief of Staff, his rank was that of a president and he was known to be a level above the presidents of Soonyang’s core electronics and automobile companies.

He was a powerful figure, such that if Lee Hak-jae rejected any proposal, Chairman Jin would reject it too. Even if Chairman Jin approved something, a two or three-hour private meeting with Lee Hak-jae could lead the Chairman to withdraw his approval.

Around the time the second-generation succession was finalized, when Jin Young-ki became Chairman, Lee Hak-jae resigned and retired, so I don’t know much about him.

Rumors about him were divided.

The first was a heartwarming tale. It was said that Chairman Jin Young-ki tried to keep him but Lee Hak-jae insisted that when the times change, figures of the old era should step down. He even refused an advisory position within the group, choosing to leave on his own terms.

The second was quite different.

It’s said that as soon as Jin Young-ki became Chairman, he immediately investigated Lee Hak-jae. It was believed that Lee Hak-jae held a vast amount of Chairman Jin Yang-cheol’s shares under a borrowed name and refused to give them up, prompting Jin Young-ki to try and expose his misdeeds.

But Lee Hak-jae was no pushover.

Rumor had it that he also held a mountain of evidence of the Jin family’s illegal and illicit activities, threatening to blow the whistle on Soonyang Group. This forced Jin Young-ki to wave the white flag.

Whether Lee Hak-jae truly held those shares under a borrowed name remains a mystery. Officially, it was announced that he retired with a substantial severance package.

And now that very legendary figure is telling me to call him Uncle.

“Yes, Uncle.”

I enunciated each syllable, emphasizing the word ‘Uncle’.

Even if the world splits in two, I must make this man a powerful ally.

“But why aren’t you riding any of the rides? Even the adults are enjoying them.”

Lee Hak-jae pointed to where not only my cousins but also adults were looking around with interest.

“Uncle, can’t you see the other adults who aren’t enjoying themselves?”

“Other adults? Who?”

Without a word I raised my hand and pointed in the direction Lee Hak-jae had indicated.

Lee Hak-jae frowned, looking for a long time before turning his gaze back to me.

“Who? There’s no one there.”

Just as I thought…

This person is already living in a different world.

Those who don’t belong to his world don’t even register in his eyes. As the perfect butler, he seems to have elevated himself to the status of a master, looking down on servants and underlings.

“I’m talking about the adults who are working. Can’t you see them?”

In an instant, Lee Hak-jae’s eyes widened.

My heart pounded with anticipation.

How will he take my words?