Chapter 134: Foundations of the U.S. Advancement (4)

The words President Lee Seok-bae said were enough to make the air inside the meeting room cold.

The atmosphere that had been filled with expectation and vitality until just a moment ago froze due to his single word.

I asked while slightly wrinkling my eyebrows.

“If it is a standard violation… specifically which part is it?”

Lee Seok-bae slowly put down the documents he held in his hand on the table and continued speaking.

“Some parts used in the piping line of the LNG storage tank were the problem. They were originally included in the list of certified materials, but a point was raised during the actual inspection process that the serial numbers and supply lines of some parts were inconsistent.”

President Kim Byeong-kwon said with a serious expression.

“That could be serious. Because the U.S. certification agencies are extremely strict about such issues. Even a simple typo leads immediately to a notice of violation.”

Lee Seok-bae let out a sigh.

“Yes, so for now, we must conduct an investigation into whether this is a simple administrative error or if something got mixed in during the delivery process. The problem is that this broke out right before the formal certification examination. The timing is too strange.”

Even Hong Jang-gun, who had only been watching from a distance, opened his mouth.

“To call it a coincidence, the timing is truly amazing. For such a problem to break out at exactly this point when the talk of U.S. advancement is becoming full-scale.”

President Yu Hyeon-seok also said as if he were suspicious.

“By any chance, is there no possibility of internal data leakage? It is not easy to have this kind of problem raised to the certification agency without internal information leaking out.”

President Lee Seok-bae could not continue his words for a moment and then lowered his head.

“To be honest, we are also most concerned about that point. We will have to investigate through the internal audit team, but as it is difficult to grasp the cause at the moment, it is hard to give a definite answer.”

Silence settled in the meeting room.

I slowly leaned my back against the chair and narrowed my eyes.

Inside my head, puzzle pieces were moving quickly.

‘A component mismatch problem at exactly this timing of putting in the first button of the U.S. market advancement. Internal information right before certification… this is not a simple mistake.’

My gaze gradually became solid.

“By when can the investigation results come out for this problem?”

Lee Seok-bae caught his breath for a moment and then answered.

“A first report will come out by this evening at the earliest, or by tomorrow morning at the latest.”

I nodded and said quietly.

“I understand. Let us end the meeting here. We will also look into the certification-related problem separately.”

In my words, all the gazes in the meeting room crossed heavily.

Even though it was a spot that had been exciting until just now, the atmosphere had completely changed.

It was as if dark clouds suddenly hung over a calm sea.

I quietly picked up the tablet and said.

“Let us put that problem aside for a moment and look around the shipyard first, shall we?”

“Please follow me.”

They moved their steps to the shipyard.

The place was filled with the acrid smell of iron and the burning smell of welding sparks.

Above the head, a giant Goliath crane moved slowly while a dull roar echoed.

The sound of pounding iron plates, mechanical sounds, and the shouts of people were intertwined.

The giant factory was breathing like a single living organism.

As I entered the site, the employees recognized me all at once and lowered their heads.

I nodded my head briefly and moved forward.

The chilly air characteristic of the shipyard and the heavily vibrating atmosphere of the site.

It was completely different from what I felt in the meeting room just now.

I pointed at something and asked.

“Is the ship currently under construction the one that received the preliminary certification examination?”

President Lee Seok-bae, who was leading the way, answered.

“Yes, Representative. It is the hull of LNG small vessel No. 3. Since the schedule is tight, we are currently performing the second piping installation and the input of interior equipment in parallel.”

I raised my head and looked up at the giant hull.

The gray iron framework soared as if piercing the sky, and sparks scattered between the pipes being welded roughly.

That appearance was like a giant beast exhaling its breath.

‘This ship is the first button for entering the U.S. market.’

My gaze became solid.

“Where is the piping line where the problem was pointed out?”

“It is over there. It is the LNG tank line, and a serial mismatch came out this time.”

As we went deep into the workshop while receiving guidance, the site became even busier.

Welders were fixing pipes, and workers were busy moving materials hanging from the crane.

Even amidst that noise, my gaze was sharp.

A person who appeared to be a manager approached and started to provide guidance.

Going toward that side, thick pipes were entangled.

Serial tags and QR codes were attached closely to each part.

Even though it was winter, workers were sweating profusely while checking the installation status.

I leaned my body and examined the tags one by one.

“These numbers are directly linked to the computer system, right?”

“Yes, that is correct. Since each part has a unique tag, the certification agency also carries out cross-checking based on this.”

Tension was full in the voice of the manager who was explaining for a long time.

At that time, Choi Seo-jun, who was watching from the side, murmured lowly.

“With management being this thorough, it is strange for the numbers to be wrong. For a coincidence, the timing is….”

At those words, the site air flowed heavily.

No one spoke out loud, but they felt that this was not a simple mistake.

I looked at the pipes without a word.

Between the pipes made of steel, it felt as if the problem were hiding like a piece of foreign matter somewhere.

That problem could have been something someone planted on purpose.

Still, the fortunate thing was that if it had broken out during the formal certification, the problem would have become serious.

My gaze became solid.

I said to President Lee Seok-bae.

“Please send all the delivery history of this line to me. I will check it once.”

President Lee Seok-bae instructed the site managers and did as I said.

They ran around busily to organize the piping delivery history and related documents and deliver them to the HJ Partners headquarters.

I finally looked up at the hull one more time.

Between the gaps of the gray iron framework, a cold sea wind seeped in and brushed the tip of my nose.

‘This matter might not end as a simple thing.’

My gaze gradually sank.

After finishing the shipyard inspection, my party moved to a nearby Korean full course meal restaurant with President Lee Seok-bae.

It was a place President Lee Seok-bae had secured in advance.

The restaurant, located on a hill looking down at the sea, looked luxurious from its exterior.

He said very proudly.

“This is a place that is quite famous in Geoje. Since it is a place that uses ingredients all caught directly by local fishermen, the taste is also good.”

As we entered inside, it exuded a warm atmosphere, perhaps because the interior decoration used wood and stone.

As soon as we arrived, the table setting came in immediately.

It was full of various side dishes and seafood including abalone and raw fish by type.

And the rice came out so that it could be mixed and eaten with sea urchin.

On top of the warm rice that was flowing with gloss, a generous amount of sea urchin roe that was just taken off was placed.

The salty scent characteristic of the sea tickled the tip of the nose.

President Kim Byeong-kwon also continuously expressed admiration, as if it suited his palate.

“Just looking at this makes the saliva pool in my mouth.”

I also picked up the spoon.

When I took a spoonful full of sea urchin bibimbap and put it into my mouth, the savory yet sea scent spread deeply and fully inside my mouth.

I said while opening my eyes wide.

“This is really delicious.”

President Lee Seok-bae smiled contentedly.

“I am glad it suits the Representative’s palate well. The sea urchin was brought in immediately after being caught that morning in the sea in front of Geoje.”

Choi Seo-jun and Hong Jang-gun also ate diligently, as if it were a delicacy.

President Yu Hyeon-seok said while nodding.

“This place is really delicious. Even in Seoul, I cannot eat anything this fresh.”

As the meal ripened to some extent, business talk naturally went back and forth.

I put down the water glass and asked quietly.

“About this certification matter. An accurate cause must come out internally. It is fortunate if it is a simple error, but if not, it looks like it could become quite troublesome.”

President Lee Seok-bae contemplated for a moment and then said with a serious expression.

“The Representative’s words are correct. We will also look for the cause. Besides that, I could not even speak properly before because I had no composure.”

Unlike his large build, President Lee Seok-bae was secretly very shy.

He opened his mouth while putting sincerity into it.

“Actually, if there had not been financial support from HJ Finance, we would not have even been able to start this project itself. Because the company situation was at its worst then.”

He continued speaking after drinking a sip of water for a moment.

“At that time, the shipbuilding industry itself was in a stagnant state and because even the orders were pushed back, the working capital was also at the bottom. To be honest, it was to the point where I could not see the front at all. But thanks to the Representative having resolved the funds quickly, I could breathe. I definitely wanted to say that. I sincerely thank you.”

At those words, President Kim Byeong-kwon also nodded and said.

“That is correct. If Representative Lim Hyunjun had not helped then, I would also not be in this spot right now. Thank you.”

As the two people even lowered their heads and gave words of thanks, I said while feeling embarrassed.

“I only did what was natural. You are the people who will lead the shipbuilding industry of the Republic of Korea. If Yeongnam Marine Industry and Sammyeong Heavy Industries fell, it would have become a difficult time for the shipbuilding industry of our country itself.”

Everyone agreed with my words.

The atmosphere became solemn for a moment.

Then, President Kim Byeong-kwon said while wearing a smile as if to change the atmosphere.

“Since President Lee Seok-bae treated us well for lunch, I will take responsibility for dinner.”

Lee Seok-bae laughed heartily.

“Ah, I am already looking forward to this.”

“Please look forward to it. I will treat you firmly.”

The atmosphere became harmonious again.

As Kim Byeong-kwon laughed slyly, I also enjoyed it.

“Good. I will also look forward to dinner today.”

It was a time that smelled of people, completely different from the morning atmosphere that was full of the iron scent of the shipyard.

As soon as the lunch meal ended, they immediately got into the car.

It takes about 20 minutes by car from Geoje to Sammyeong Heavy Industries.

They had no time to dally.

The day was busy.

As soon as I sat in the back seat, I unfolded the tablet.

The delivery history materials sent by Yeongnam Marine Industry had already arrived in the mailbox.

Outside the window, the sea of Geoje and the silhouette of the shipyard cranes passed quickly.

Nevertheless, my gaze was fixed only on the numbers and drawings on the screen.

‘The serial numbers of the piping components… the supply line and the certificate serial numbers.’

My expression as I checked while moving my hands quickly gradually became frozen.

‘Something is strange.’

For several components, the supply line was bent once in the middle.

Normally, they should be delivered directly from the manufacturer to Yeongnam Marine Industry, but an unfamiliar name was caught in the middle.

I fell into thought for a moment and then took out the cell phone and checked the contact list.

Soon, a familiar name entered my eyes.

Kim Jongseok.

He was the former team leader of the Technology Development Team at Daehan Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering and was a technician counted among the best in the industry regarding LNG carriers.

He is also a high school senior to me.

As I pressed the call button, I heard a voice familiar to the ears after a few signal tones.

“Senior, have you been well?”