Chapter 147

Choi Seo-jun nodded with his arms crossed.

“Ultimately, what the U.S. wants is a certain investment promise. This meeting might be nominal, but it is effectively a place to check who will provide how much benefit.”

I let out a short laugh.

“That is right. On the surface, it is a partnership, but inside they will be thinking of other things. Because the U.S. wants both technology and capital.”

Choi Seo-jun turned his head to look at me and spoke.

“Still, the most curious thing today is what Daehan will do. I think the power struggle between Nam Yoon-kyung and Nam Jae-min will be the most worth watching this time.”

General Manager Han Seung-woo, who was sitting in the back seat, also nodded.

“I feel the same. Because every time Daehan Group enters the U.S., they do something certain. Furthermore, since the two of them will be doing it as if they are in a confrontation. There will also be a taste in watching that.”

I watched the street passing by beyond the window and smiled slowly.

Originally, in this meeting, Vice Chairman Nam Jae-heon would have stepped forward personally to announce a plan for investment in expanding battery factories within the U.S.

At that time, he had garnered attention by investing 3 billion dollars and creating 3,000 local jobs.

Thanks to that, the governor at the time personally appeared at the press conference, and his name was even mentioned in the White House briefing.

I opened my mouth.

“Daehan will likely focus on job creation. Because in the end, what the U.S. government likes most is not capital, but employment.”

I drank some bottled water as if my throat were dry and continued speaking.

“To them, investment is not money, it is votes. If jobs increase, votes increase, and if votes increase, politicians like it. In the end, Daehan will try to meet the government's expectations by using that this time as well.”

Choi Seo-jun smirked and laughed.

“As expected, politics cannot be left out of anything.”

“That is right.”

My gaze deepened as it followed the lights reflected on the window.

“But this time, it will be a bit different. The U.S. will now draw a new picture such as energy independence or carbon neutrality rather than jobs. But the problem is that no matter how much they draw the picture, there is still no engine to make it realized.”

I slowly concluded my words.

“The side that possesses that engine will be advantageous this time.”

The air inside the car sank heavily for a moment.

The limousine passed through the intersections of downtown Washington and headed toward the Department of Commerce building.

The limousine stopped slowly in front of the main entrance of the Department of Commerce headquarters.

On both sides of the stairs in front of the building, snow was piled up white, and traces were clearly revealed as if snow removal work had been done. Secretary Cho Hana spoke in a calm voice.

“We have arrived.”

As I stepped out of the limousine while turning up the collar of my coat, the cold winter air dug deep into my lungs.

Following that, Choi Seo-jun also stood beside me while holding a briefcase.

The dry and cold wind characteristic of Washington blew in.

The sky was cloudy with gray, and snow was still piled up thick on the branches of the street trees around the headquarters.

The sound of snow crunching came from under my feet.

Choi Seo-jun looked up at the building and opened his mouth.

“Putting aside being cold, I heard the traffic was quite blocked because of this snow. Fortunately, we came smoothly today.”

I answered briefly and led the way.

“I am glad we arrived on time.”

The three of us climbed the stairs and entered inside.

As if it were a lie, the chill disappeared inside the building, and it was filled with a different heat.

The lobby was already bustling with crowds.

Figures in neat suits were gathered in small groups and shared conversations with each other.

I also looked around the lobby slowly. Familiar faces stood out here and there.

The first one to catch my eye was Acting Chairman Lim Hye-seon of Taeseong Group.

She was wearing a neat-looking navy suit and was quietly talking with the U.S. Department of Commerce officials along with Vice President Yoon Jae-hyuk.

Seeing that her expression was bright, the conversation seemed to be taking place calmly.

However, she would be setting her nerves on edge inside.

A little distance away, President Nam Yoon-kyung of Daehan Group was shaking hands with a high-ranking official.

CEO Nam Jae-min was also by her side.

My gaze went back and forth between the two.

‘They are siblings, but they really do not get along.’

The gaze resembled Chairman Nam Kun-ho, but the energy contained within it was vastly different.

If Nam Yoon-kyung stood out with cold reason and restrained charisma, Nam Jae-min possessed decisiveness and patience in waiting for the time.

He seemed to have stepped back one step, but he possessed the aspect of a hunter aiming only for the moment to flip the board at any time.

The smile that brushed Nam Jae-min’s mouth was telling.

I thought to myself.

‘They might be looking in different directions, but in the end, the destination will be one.’

They had come to represent the same group, but they were constantly checking each other.

After a moment, Nam Yoon-kyung offered a final greeting to the figure she was talking with and turned around.

At that moment, my gaze accidentally met hers.

As Nam Yoon-kyung nodded expressionlessly, I also replied with a light greeting.

In the center of the lobby was Vice Chairman Lee Han-kyu of Hanmyeong Group.

As always, he was talking with working-level staff from the U.S. Department of Commerce with a calm expression.

He showed confidence while continuing his explanation with fluent English pronunciation.

On the opposite side a little distance away stood Chairman Choi Jae-seong of Cheongshin Group.

Dressed in a dark gray coat, he overwhelmed the surroundings with a heavy presence.

As my gaze headed toward Chairman Choi Jae-seong, Secretary Cho Hana informed me slightly.

“The person talking with Chairman Choi Jae-seong is an official from the U.S. Department of Energy.”

I smiled slightly at Secretary Cho's sense.

After that, my gaze headed toward Chairman Choi Jae-seong again.

Their conversation would likely involve talk regarding power supply stabilization.

A leisure characteristic of a seasoned negotiator could be glimpsed from him.

Chairman Kim Moon-ho of Geumcheon Group stood on one side of the hall while holding documents.

As a giant in the bio industry, pharmacy-related officials were gathered around him.

He was not the type to speak English fluently.

He explained hard with awkward pronunciation.

Still, his expression alone seemed full of firm conviction more than anyone else.

From afar, Chairman Seo In-cheol of Brightfield Logistics came into view.

He was talking with an official from the U.S. Logistics Agency.

As the dark brown-haired official explained something, Seo In-cheol would nod his head shortly and answer in a low voice.

“The confirmation of additional bases within the U.S. is under review. However, if port permits are secured, we can move quickly.”

Beside him, an interpreter diligently delivered Chairman Seo's words.

As expected of a manager skilled in practical affairs, a sense of reality was felt.

In one corner, President Ryu Ji-heon of RE Electronics and Vice Chairman Jeong Han-seo of Nexel Bites stood facing each other.

Both of them were at a young age.

True to his quiet personality, Ryu Ji-heon was explaining the latest technology trends in a refined manner. Jeong Han-seo nodded his head lightly while listening to those words.

Their conversation seemed to flow calmly, but a strange battle of nerves flowed between them.

Beside them, Vice Chairman Park Ji-ho of Serin Materials and CEO Kim Seo-hyeon of Arcmon Construction stood side by side.

They were different industries, but in this meeting at least, they were like partners whose interests met.

It was a sight where Park Ji-ho spoke while checking materials incessantly and Kim Seo-hyeon answered while nodding.

Even before the meeting started, the atmosphere of the lobby was full of tension.

No one was raising a loud voice, but interests were intertwined in the midst of glances going back and forth.

At that time, Secretary Cho Hana spoke quietly.

“Representative, it is time to enter the meeting room.”

I nodded.

I looked around the lobby once more.

Taeseong, Daehan, Cheongshin, Geumcheon, and even HJ Partners, which I lead, were all in the same space, but each of our goals was different.

I straightened my waist and moved my steps boldly.

Before entering the meeting room, U.S. side staff guided us to our seats.

On one side, people looked busy checking interpretation equipment and various other equipment.

A long table was placed in the center of the large conference room.

The nameplates of each country's delegation were arranged neatly.

Secretary Cho Hana spoke in a small voice.

“Representative, this way.”

As my group entered, several gazes headed toward me.

Among them, the one who stood up first was Director Michael Leonard of the Bureau of Industry and Security of the Department of Commerce.

With silver-gray hair and a neat suit, he approached me and reached out his hand.

“Representative Lim Hyunjun, it is a pleasure to meet you in person like this.”

I answered while shaking hands with fluent English pronunciation.

“Thank you for inviting me. It is also an honor for me.”

Not a bit of tension was seen in my way of speaking.

Director Choi Seo-jun followed and shared greetings.

Two figures were standing behind Director Leonard.

They were Senior Joanne Madison of the Defense Procurement Bureau and Dr. Alan Park belonging to the Navy Technical Evaluation Committee.

Joanne met me with a somewhat sharp gaze.

“I have heard much about you. Nice to meet you.”

I grabbed her hand lightly and smiled.

“It is an honor to come and see you like this. I hope today's discussion becomes a meaningful time for each other.”

Joanne’s expression hardened slightly.

She quickly scanned my attitude and way of speaking.

“I heard that your side is very interested in the defense industry. I will look forward to it.”

“I will consider those words to mean that your expectations are high.”

When I countered leisurely, Dr. Alan Park, who was beside her, spoke quietly.

“I saw your company's report on the LNG support ship facilities this time. It was very interesting. The efficiency figures of the engine and propulsion module were more than 13% higher than general ships.”

I smiled and answered.

“Thank you. I hope we can sufficiently prove our competitiveness in the U.S. market as well.”

“There will be good news since our side also has great interest.”

At that time, Joanne cut in.

“Having interest is strictly speaking about possibility, it is not a confirmation.”

I replied with a leisurely smile.

“Of course. We will also strive to prove that possibility.”

Even though it was a remark that could hurt one's feelings in a way, I did not give in easily.

Because of that, Joanne ended up being more flustered instead.

She went silent for a moment and then spoke.

“Good. I shall look forward to it.”

I moved my steps toward my seat.

Choi Seo-jun and Cho Hana followed behind me.

On the nameplate on the table, it was written like this.

[HJ PARTNERS / IM HYUN-JUN (CEO)]

I slowly sat in the chair and looked around. Acting Chairman Lim Hye-seon of Taeseong Group and President Nam Yoon-kyung of Daehan Group sat on both sides.

They shared short greetings with each other for a moment.

Soon after, a Department of Commerce official went up onto the podium and declared the opening.

The lights of the meeting room became one level brighter.

The first person to take the microphone was Director Leonard.

“Today's meeting is not a mere consultation, but it is the first step to discuss the direction of industrial cooperation for the next decade or so. We wish to build a sustainable supply chain along with our allies and find a balance of technology, energy, and security within it.”

The inside of the meeting room became quiet.

Thanks to that, the voice was heard even more clearly.

“Korea has grown into the U.S.'s most trustworthy partner over the past decades. This place today will be a stage testing whether we can expand into a new form based on that trust.”