Chapter 221: Not Just About Buying Non-Business Real Estate

“I’m not just talking about buying non-business real estate. I’m suggesting another possibility. At the very least, let’s ensure our HW Group projects an image of doing its best for recovery, not profiting from this national disaster. For the government and the people.”

The construction president, who had been listening to my suggestion, cautiously opened his mouth. He wanted a definitive answer from Miracle, the group’s owner.

“Representative Oh, do you feel the same way? Can you really forgo the profits?”

“Of course.”

Oh Se-hyun nodded.

“However, there’s one thing we absolutely cannot overlook. We must elevate the HW Group’s standing beyond the profits we forgo. An effect equivalent to the potential hundreds or even trillions of won in profits. That’s the key.”

The construction president’s face brightened.

If they channeled the profits back into society, they could secure a very advantageous position in the bidding. Moreover, wouldn’t he, the CEO, be the one taking the credit in front of the reporters?

“Please come up with every possible idea within the range that doesn’t result in a loss for us. That will bring us more than immediate profits.”

Oh Se-hyun glanced at me and stood up.

“Keep me updated on the results.”

As we stood up, the executives from the other affiliates, except for construction, also rose. They needed to revise their plans from scratch.

I left the conference room and waited for President Jo Dae-ho of the automobile division.

“President, there’s something I’d like to discuss.”

“Sure. I need to borrow some of your ideas too. Let’s go to my office. Representative Oh, do you have a moment?”

President Jo Dae-ho looked at Oh Se-hyun, who chuckled and shook his head.

“Talk to that rascal. I’m just here for show. Heh.”

Oh Se-hyun quickened his pace, as if afraid of being caught.

“What’s with him? Why is he like that?”

“I’ll explain on the way.”

I grabbed President Jo Dae-ho’s arm and headed to his office.

We sipped tea and checked the news reporting on the typhoon damage. Thanks to the media’s rush for scoops, damage estimates of 3 to 4 trillion won were already surfacing.

“Considering what you said at the meeting today, our automobile division can’t just stand by, can we?”

“No. We need to show a completely different side of Daewoo Motors.”

“How?”

“First, call all customers in the South Gyeongsang and Gangwon regions who purchased our .”

“And then?”

“Provide free inspection and repairs. Even for customers who say they’re fine. They’ll be grateful for our care and consideration.”

“Inspections are manageable, but free repairs will cost a lot. Even if it’s within the free A/S period, natural disasters aren’t usually covered.”

President Jo Dae-ho seemed determined to address the cost. He wanted my reassurance.

“I’m thinking of something even bigger.”

“Bigger?”

“Yes. Collect all flood-damaged vehicles that are beyond repair and give them new cars.”

“Hey!”

I chuckled and calmed the surprised President Jo.

“It’s not a big deal. The Isquilo isn’t a best-selling model, so the number of vehicles sold isn’t that high. Besides, it’s in the South Gyeongsang and Gangwon regions. As you know, most sales occur in the capital area. It won’t be many cars.”

President Jo pondered for a moment before pressing the intercom.

“Bring me the sales figures for by region.”

While the secretary brought the relevant documents and he reviewed them, we remained silent. After a thorough check, President Jo breathed a sigh of relief.

“Alright, let’s do it. But first, let’s release a press release. This will be huge news. Heh.”

“No. We shouldn’t release information to the media first.”

“What? You want to do something like this in secret?”

“Yes, secretly. Covertly.”

“That’s absurd! We’re offering free replacements. It’ll easily cost billions of won. We should at least see a promotional effect equivalent to that amount. Didn’t Representative Oh say the cost of the loss would be offset by enhancing the group’s image?”

“President, it’s just that….”

He didn’t give me a chance to speak, thinking about the billions of won going down the drain.

“No way. This is something we need to publicize. Are we religious people? Letting the left hand not know what the right hand is doing?”

“Of course not. Good deeds should be known to all.”

“Then why are you saying we shouldn’t release a press release?”

“President, good deeds aren’t publicized; they’re discovered.”

“What?”

He blinked, seemingly not understanding the exact meaning yet.

“There are no secrets these days. Isn’t this an era where the internet exposes everything? The new administration’s president openly says he won the election because of the internet. Even if we don’t step forward, the recipients of the free replacements will be so excited they’ll promote it for us.”

“Ah…….”

“We just need to focus on being kind. Then our good deeds are bound to be discovered. The media will definitely report it even bigger. If we release a press release and ask them to promote it, will they do it for free? These days, the media reports on internet buzz even more than press releases.”

President Jo even let out a hollow laugh.

“This, this…. As I get older, I can’t keep up with how the world works anymore.”

“For construction, we need to make our intentions known to get favorable results in the bidding, but it’s different for automobiles. Getting discovered is much more genuine and will spread much further than publicizing it ourselves.”

“Alright. Not publicizing it, getting discovered. I’ll prepare based on that.”

Looking satisfied, President Jo suddenly remembered something.

“By the way, what’s wrong with Representative Oh? Is something going on?”

“The truth is….”

I told him the story of my conversation with Oh Se-hyun. President Jo Dae-ho couldn’t hide his disbelief upon hearing about his decision to retire.

“No! Isn’t fifty the age when a man is just getting started? Even I, past sixty, haven’t thought about retiring…. Is that friend out of his mind? Why waste such a good brain?”

“What can we do? He says it’s something he’s always dreamed of, so trying to stop him won’t work.”

President Jo’s expression became even more troubled than before.

“This is a big problem. Chairman Song Hyun-chang also publicly announced to the executive team that he’s retiring at the end of this year…. I was considering Representative Oh as the next chairman of our group. He’s more than qualified, isn’t he?”

“Is that just your opinion, President? Or the entire executive team’s…?”

“The entire executive team thinks so. We even thought Chairman Song and Representative Oh had already discussed it.”

“Then what should we do?”

“What? Song Chairman’s successor?”

“Yes. If you have any thoughts on it, President….”

I tentatively suggested…. But no. He waved his hand before I could finish.

“I can’t do it.”

“You’re more than capable. You’re being too modest.”

“No. Don’t you trust your grandfather, Chairman Jin’s, judgment?”

“Yes.”

Why was he suddenly bringing up my grandfather?

“He diagnosed me. Said I’m the type who can dig one well deep, not manage an entire river. That’s why he threw me into the automobile division and doesn’t interfere much. The chairman’s position is out of the question for me. Find someone else.”

Finding someone else was the problem.

The two of us fell silent, watching the TV reporting on the typhoon damage.

* * *

Rushing to Soonyang headquarters, I found everyone in a somber meeting.

The thought of the insurance payouts was enough to give anyone a headache.

The president of Soonyang Fire & Marine Insurance looked the most distressed.

His company was responsible for the wind and flood insurance policies that compensated for damages caused by typhoons, torrential rains, floods, strong winds, and earthquakes.

They became even more tense when they saw me joining the meeting late, but no one voiced any particular opinions.

However, they refrained from suggesting ways to cut corners on insurance payments. Instead, I eased their pressure by telling them to do their best to avoid upsetting the victims and left the meeting room first.

Vice President Jang Do-hyung caught my eye and quietly followed me.

I spoke to Vice President Jang Do-hyung in my office.

“What I said in the meeting wasn’t just lip service. So tell them not to make baseless speculations. They shouldn’t try to avoid paying insurance by making up excuses.”

“Yes, I’ll make that perfectly clear.”

“And make a donation in the name of Soonyang Financial Group.”

“I was already planning to. The three major broadcasters and newspaper companies are already calling non-stop.”

This was also a competition.

Disaster relief donations had turned into a competition for media companies to flaunt their influence.

Distributing it evenly would avoid any complaints. However, splitting the amount wasn’t a good choice for the companies.

“By the way, Chief of staff, will we donate individually? Shouldn’t we also donate in the name of Soonyang Group?”

“Donate under the financial group’s name first. Then everyone else can do as they see fit. If we donate as the whole group, we’ll get buried. Soonyang Electronics will be the only one that stands out, and we need to avoid that foolishness.”

“Vice-chairman Jin Young-gi will be furious…….”

“I’ll handle that. Don’t worry and just go for it.”

“Yes. Then how should we allocate it to the media outlets….”

“Leave out the media outlets. Let’s donate to the disaster relief headquarters. One big donation is more noticeable than several small ones.”

“Understood. How much should we donate?”

“5 billion won should be enough, right?”

He looked slightly surprised but nodded lightly. Daehyun Group’s total donation was 3 billion won, so considering the company’s size, it was a huge amount.

“It’s more than enough. Understood. Are there any other instructions?”

“Do you know any reliable reporters?”

“Reporters?”

“Yes. Someone who won’t recklessly wield their pen and has decent writing skills.”

“I’ll check with the public relations team. May I ask why?”

“I’m planning to make a personal donation, but please handle it anonymously.”

A smile spread across the face of the quick-witted Vice President Jang Do-hyung.

“You’re planning to create a heartwarming story.”

“Yes.”

“Donate anonymously, and a few days later, that reliable reporter breaks the story. Am I right?”

“Exactly. Haha.”

“But Chief of staff, for a heartwarming story to become news, the amount needs to be substantial… How much are you planning to donate?”

“Wouldn’t 50 billion won be newsworthy?”

“F… Fifty billion won?”

Seeing his wide eyes, I added another word.

“Is it not enough? Should I raise it to 100 billion?”

“Ah, no. It’s just too much.”

“It has to be so shocking that everyone’s jaw drops, just like yours. A mediocre amount will only invite criticism for showing off. When you’re going big, you need to add another zero to the expected amount to create an explosive effect.”

“It’s more than just an effect. This news will overshadow the typhoon stories.”

“That’s exactly what I want. To make sure no one says a twenty-year-old is playing at being a chaebol chairman thanks to his grandfather. I need to completely transform my image into a respectable businessman practicing noblesse oblige.”

The invisible public support in the fierce succession battle that will unfold later. That’s what I want.

Government agencies and banks are also major shareholders of Soonyang Group.

The time will come when they have to side with one of the three. And aren’t they the ones who can’t ignore public opinion?

“It’s beyond just changing your image. You’ll be highly praised.”

“Even better.”

“This donation will also go to the disaster relief headquarters?”

“That’s right. If we favor one media outlet, won’t the others refuse to report on it? They might even criticize it as a rigged game….”

“Understood. I’ll make sure we create a truly heartwarming story.”

Vice President Jang Do-hyung couldn’t hide his excitement, as if he had been entrusted with a secret mission.