131 : return to the private field
New York, Korea Society.
“CS, I heard you went to San Francisco?”
“Yes, because I have a contract with a venture company.”
“You went far for shopping. I thought it was going to be until MIT.”
“It wasn’t originally intended. I found a good CNC, among the metal cutting machines, and went to buy it.”
“It is a great effort to go all the way to San Francisco to buy a piece of equipment. I don’t know what it is, but since you’re cutting iron, it must be of some help to the shipyard.”
Van Flint seemed to think so.
Seeing that the director of BR, a well-known military-industrial complex, does not know CNC, it seems that it has not become very popular yet.
“CNC was originally a technology supported by the Air Force, so export restrictions may have been imposed. We will import it through our Portland branch, so please look behind us.”
“Well, it’s nothing like that. Are you worried about that as NASA also imports materials?”
“I see. Did you do well in the pillar negotiations?”
“Here is the purchase agreement. I shaved it off as much as possible, but $4.6 million is the best. All you have to do is sign it and the pillar is yours.”
“Doesn’t $4.6 million sound pretty cool?”
I was grateful that the price was reduced, but what I was more thankful for was the condition of taking the same launch pad as well as the pillar. It’s a steel structure, so that’s money.
It was pretty well taken care of.
Anyway, no matter how much Van Flint came forward, it seems that the United States in the 60s was an era when resources were plentiful.
Well, until right before the end of the Vietnam War, it was so rich.
It’s not just inflation.
So many resources are being wasted in every corner of society.
“I just cut off 10% to raise $5 million. Of course $100,000 is my fee.”
“So four and a half million dollars.”
As an American, the calculation of money was clear.
It would mean that the labor cost would be worth 100,000 dollars.
It’s scary for a three-day allowance, but Van Flint should pay that much.
“It was nice to visit Florida after a long time. Everything here in the east is good, but the weather is not good…. Ask for it occasionally. Not too often.”
“yes. Yes. For transportation, we can send Daesae Shipping to the space center, right?”
“The sooner you send it, the better. I think they already sold it there, so they might charge storage fees. haha.”
“Thank you for caring me. Be sure to attend the shipyard completion ceremony in the future. I will treat you nicely.”
When the shipyard is completed, a hotel for customers will be built.
If the ship owner comes to negotiate, can’t you sleep in the employee’s quarters?
I plan to build it well so that you can feel the taste of Korea.
It is my wish that the hotel’s first guest be Van Flint.
“Invite Nancy to the completion ceremony. I want to say thank you for helping me with this.”
“Are you Nancy?”
“When NASA is talking about national security, the trend is Silverstein and the shipping alliance. The screw side didn’t even budge. You have to be very angry.”
“I should say thank you next time we meet.”
I answered yes, but in fact Nancy paid off her debt to me.
It must be in return for letting us know that the Democratic Party is the winner of this presidential election in Canberra, Australia.
As expected, like a politician, if you owe a debt, he responds right away.
Come to think of it, the contract with Nancy is not far away. Iron ore had already been sold to Japan, and crude oil storage was almost empty.
Now it’s time to fill my stomach with my stuff instead of Nancy’s.
Nancy, you might think it’s time to shake hands and go out, but I know now is the time to steadily fill up.
Crude oil is a bit difficult to build storage, but iron ore can be stacked, so they are steadily loading as if they are saving money.
To be honest, crude oil will make more money, but there is nothing good about being noticed by oil majors. It will have to be collected at a reasonable level until the oil shock.
“Since you helped with the shipyard, you also have to take care of the Jordan construction. In particular, the Westinghouse guys kept delaying the construction, so give it a shot.”
“That’s what BR should take care of. Aren’t you the main contractor for the project?”
“Yeah, but it’s all because of you that Westinghouse joined.”
“I only joined because it is a company with original seawater desalination technology. If you continue to delay construction, you should be excluded from the project, whether you have the technology or not. Anyway, I think Westinghouse is running out of capital.”
“I lobbied too much to win the nuclear power plant project. I don’t know the right line. What are you going to do if you run out of liquidity? Stupid bastards.”
It is well known that Westinghouse went bankrupt because of lobbying funds.
That’s when it started.
“Then it would be right to rule it out right now. It is a natural duty as a construction company to introduce trustworthy equipment companies to customers.”
“Our BR company will catch the wind, so let’s make one voice from the side. I don’t know anything else, but the Jordan project shouldn’t be delayed like this. In the meantime, when Israel and Jordan are good, you have to get rid of them. There are many power plant builders, so just look for a seawater desalination company.”
“All right. No problem.”
If Westinghouse voluntarily kicks out the opportunity, there is no reason to stay with them.
Rather, if it is excluded from the Jordan project, Westinghouse’s position will be more difficult, so obtaining a seawater desalination license at that time would be a way.
If this is the case, then Westinghouse’s seawater desalination license should be added to the shopping list earlier than expected. This US business trip is a shopping business trip.
“great. All that’s left now is dinner, right?”
“Let’s go.. Our next meal is in Korea.”
“Don’t expect it.”
After dinner with Van Fleet, I headed back to Korea after finishing my American schedule.
***
Gimpo International Airport,
“Welcome, Chairman.”
Bill Bain, who had been waiting for me, greeted me politely.
It was a very different atmosphere from Sambok, who was always joking around, whether it was wearing a headlock or slapping his back.
“There was nothing special in Korea, right?”
“Yes, nothing special. I just got a call from the Ministry of Commerce. He wanted to see you as soon as possible.”
It seems that the Blue House guidelines for the defense industry have fallen.
“I take care of that myself. By the way, I end up hitting the baton like this.”
In time for my return, Bill Bain has decided to leave.
Because we have to finalize the contract before Intel gets any information about us.
“I will go. Well, looking through personal connections, investing in Intel seems like an appropriate choice. It is not well known now, but it is a venture with great growth potential.”
Of course it’s an appropriate choice.
One of the best companies of the 21st century.
“Please make a contract so that we can have a good relationship in the future.”
“I will do my best.”
“Then have a good trip.”
They parted ways at the airport, saying goodbye and greeting each other.
When I left the airport, secretary Ki was waiting.
“Where can I take you?”
“Thanks to secretary Ki, I can move around comfortably. Let’s start with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.”
I should stop by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry before going down to Ulsan.
Even if Secretary Ki was good at driving, it was still hard work to get from Ulsan to Seoul.
“Yes, I understand. President.”
***
general office.
When I called at the entrance of the general government building, Vice Minister Yeom jumped down to the entrance.
“Oh, Mr. Woo. Did you have a good business trip?”
“I heard you contacted me? It seems that the consultation with the Blue House went well.”
“It worked… Anyway, the instructions fell.”
“What are the guidelines?”
“The Minister of Commerce and Industry will tell you that.”
Vice Minister Yeom spared his words.Read at noblemtl
Judging by the expression and tone of voice, it seems that he is not particularly satisfied. It was a bit surprising. My request wasn’t that unreasonable, though.
Anyway, with Vice Minister Yeom at the forefront, I hurriedly entered the office of the Minister of Commerce and Industry.
The office was piled high with all sorts of paperwork.
The minister in the 1960s must have worked hard.
Well, if you don’t want to run away from the president of Korea Co., Ltd. making you work, you won’t have enough time even if you work all day.
Even with the national projects that are taking place right now, dozens or hundreds of them will easily pass.
Even I, who knows the future, is burdened by the influx of work, so I said everything.
“Hello, my minister.”
“welcome. Woo boss. How come you didn’t listen to Vice Minister Yeom in advance?”
“It’s an important matter, so I want you to hear it directly from the minister.”
Vice Minister Yeom covered himself appropriately to avoid eye contact.
Minister Na told Vice Minister Yeom to tell him in advance.
“First of all, Your Excellency agreed to President Woo’s requirements in principle. However, you mentioned the prerequisites. They said that there must be an issue of preferential treatment.”
“Prerequisites, what are they specifically?”
“I want you to take over a state-owned company. In order to normalize management, I think someone like President Woo will have to put in some effort.”
I was annoyed at the mention of a state-owned company acquisition.
“A takeover of a state-owned company. I took over Incheon Iron & Steel and continue to make large-scale investments, and I took over Samhwa Iron & Steel in Gangwon-do and worked for Pohang Iron & Steel as well. In addition, we even donated a factory site for the creation of a petrochemical complex!”
“Ah, listen. You may have heard of Korean machinery next to Incheon Steelworks. When you are in the defense industry, it will be of great help if you acquire a company specializing in machinery. His Excellency also made the proposal because he had his own intentions.”
There must be a meaning
It means to turn a deficit state-run company into a surplus company at the cost of my own money.
If possible, I would say that I have a company specializing in machinery, but Korean machinery is an exception.
Korean Machinery has changed owners countless times, and only managed to establish itself as a heavy industry company in the 21st century.
Every time the hand was changed, the new owner pushed money without a promise, so it was able to endure that long time.
In other words, if you eat Korean machines, you must be prepared to lose a lot of money.
Along with the Okpo shipyard, it was famous as a money-eating hippo.
It should be said that it is the two major mountain ranges.
Moreover, even if you acquire it now, you will not be able to find a way to improve your performance.
The domestic market is lousy, and there is no technical skills throughout the machinery industry, so it is impossible to break through exports.
Unlike the shipbuilding industry, the machinery industry is an industry that even advanced countries do not give up easily.
The machinery industry, which is represented by the automobile, heavy equipment, and precision machinery markets, has enormous front and rear industries, so it is almost impossible for an underdeveloped country to compete with an advanced country.
In other words, Korea should wait for the right time by polishing its technology first. When the world is reeling from an oil shock, it is necessary to target niche markets first.
“I would love to do it if I had the money. However, at present, even Incheon Steel is in a difficult situation. The construction of the shipyard alone cost 29.2 million dollars more than originally planned. It is not a situation to take over.”
“You said you spent an extra $29.2 million?”
“It happened because I was working.”
The design of the second dock was changed to a T shape, and the investment increased by raising the crane specification to 900 tons.
There was no need for a long explanation.
“Oh, what if you gave up before even mentioning this? I thought that the only company that would operate the M16 parts license was the general trend.”
Well, I’m sure Grandpa Hwang will regret it more than I do.
I was very moved by the fact that I was contributing to the creation of a weapon to protect the country.
“I think the person who acquires the Korean machinery should be responsible for the production of M16 parts.”
“Think again. We will take care to acquire Korean machines at a low price.”
There is no need for such care.
“That is a privilege. Normalization is difficult and even the takeover will be surrounded by gossip, so I will give up.”
“…Aren’t you looking too pessimistic? Right now, Shinjin Motors is actively seeking to acquire Korean machinery.”
“Is it a budding car?”
At this time, Shinjin Motor must have had the financial power.
In fact, it was said that it was a company that listened to the voices of chaebols until Toyota quit the joint venture in 1970 and went out.
In the end, I was pushed by Hyunsan Motors… Come to think of it, Hyunsan Motors was just starting its business.
Anyway, Shinjin Motors seems to be taking over Korean machinery and attracting manpower and equipment, but it was obvious that it would become a self-propelled vehicle.
Rather, it seemed that the picture I wanted could come out if I left it alone.
So what are my requirements?
Are they all discarded?
“If I give up Korean machinery, will all three projects I proposed become invalid?”
“no. First of all, the introduction of used tanks is not a preferential treatment, so it is valid.”
This is fortunate.
You can ask Changwon Research Institute to make used tanks. Chief Shim Jae-hong must have touched tanks quite a bit at Quy Nhon Corps of Engineers, and besides Chief Shim, there are quite a few people who have obtained US Army mechanic licenses.
“Yes, I understand.”
“The ordering of warships is a matter of the distant future, so leave it out of the question, and the problem is the control right…”
I’d like to hear only 1 out of 3.
“If you look at the concession right, it is energy sovereignty, so it is not a preferential treatment.”
“So, Your Excellency said that he would announce the relevant laws and regulations, but would hold an international bid for the concession rights if Korean machinery was not acquired.”
It is said that the concession rights will be sold for money, but if only the related laws were announced first, there would be no problem at all.
No matter how hard you try to hit the bid announcement, there won’t be many companies that will step in, and only if someone steps forward will it be a waste of money.
Who will find a gas field in the open sea?
Even in the original history, it took more than 10 years.
I should tell Hoffman to go to Vietnam and dig the Baekho oil field first.
Because of the Tet Offensive, Quyen has definitely become my domain.
Even after discovering an oil field, it will take several years to start producing crude oil in earnest, so the timing is just right.
Come to think of it, it looks like Hoffman is out of luck with the project, as Captain Smith said.
It seems that I left the nearby Ulsan and took a long walk.