PFC Chapter 128: Nerve War of the Giants (2)
Chapter 128: Nerve War of the Giants (2)
The President slowly nodded his head as if very satisfied.
Looking at his expression, it was full of a pleased smile.
“Those are good words. Even though Representative Lim is still at a young age, he is truly dependable.”
He moistened his throat once and then put down his glass while slowly looking around.
“In fact, to mark the New Year, there is something I definitely want to say to you entrepreneurs.”
The atmosphere inside the hall became quiet.
The President’s voice became lower and more serious than before.
“It is a time when the domestic market is stagnant and exports are not easy. At a time like this, companies must take the lead in increasing jobs so that the country can endure.”
He lightly spread his hands and continued speaking.
“Specifically, I am talking about youth jobs and regional jobs. The government will also do its best, but in the end, you are the ones who move the economy. I ask that various companies cooperate actively this year.”The business figures across the table nodded their heads all at once.
It was a common saying everywhere, but the weight was different when the President mentioned it directly at the Cheongwadae Yeongbingwan.
The President smiled and continued speaking.
“And to say one more thing… A state visit schedule to the United States is set for soon. For our government, it is also an important diplomatic stage. If possible, I would like our companies to accompany us. I hope it becomes a place to widely promote Korea’s competitiveness locally and expand investment and cooperation.”
The inside of the hall stirred for a moment.
The President’s request to accompany the state visit was soon an invitation for political symbolism and global business opportunities.
“The United States is still the world’s largest market and also the most important economic partner. To create new opportunities, the government and companies must move together.”
The President concluded his words with a soft smile.
“If there are companies that wish to participate in this visit, please let us know in advance through the government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The government also intends to spare no support to the maximum.”
When the President finished speaking, the inside of the hall became quiet for a moment.
The business figures seemed to be lost in their respective thoughts.
I, Lim Hyunjun, drank my drink and mulled over the President’s statement.
Accompanying the state visit to the US was not just a simple economic delegation.
At that time, Chairman Lee Jin-cheol of Hanmyeong Group spoke in a thick voice.
“Regarding the job creation you mentioned, Mr. President, we will also actively review it. However, realistically, it is a situation where the burden of labor costs is quite significant. I think it would be more effective if government tax support or deregulation is backed up.”
The President nodded as if he had expected it.
“Hmm. The government will also try to create an environment where companies can invest and hire with peace of mind.”
At this time, the representative of the automobile industry sitting next to me asked.
“Around when is the US visit schedule planned for, Mr. President? It would be good if we could participate too.”
“We are coordinating it for around the end of this month.”
The eyes of several people flashed at the President’s answer.
Then the Economic Deputy Prime Minister said.
“Those who wish to participate can express their intent within this week.”
I calculated quickly in my head.
‘Around the end of this month….’
The faces of the US political and business figures I recently contacted passed by one after another.
A state visit was not a simple economic delegation, but a stage where the world’s attention was focused under the government’s shield.
‘If I can just use this US visit well, it will be an opportunity.’
My eyes flashed.
If I could expand business on the giant stage called the United States and simultaneously build new alliances politically and economically, I could raise the status of HJ Partners at once.
That was also a declaration that HJ Partners and I, Lim Hyunjun, would not stay only on the domestic stage.
Of course, I had already acquired several companies including Synapse Tech Inc even now.
At that moment, the eyes of Nam Kun-ho sitting opposite me sparkled.
With a relaxed smile drawn on his mouth, he seemed to already be drawing something in his head while mulling over the President’s words.
In fact, as I remembered, Nam Jae-heon had visited the US with the President instead of Chairman Nam Kun-ho and obtained great results.
At that time, Daehan Group used that opportunity as a stepping stone to finalize a large-scale investment contract with a local US company and engraved its presence.
But now the situation is different.
Nam Jae-heon was in a position where he could not stand on that stage, and Daehan Group’s standing was not the same as before.
‘If that is the case, then this time, as expected….’
On the giant stage called the United States, who would hold the initiative this time.
That fight was already starting from under the surface.
The Cheongwadae briefing session gradually finished with the President’s short concluding remarks.
The business figures began to leave their seats one by one.
On the surface, a warm atmosphere celebrating the New Year was produced, but a current where each person’s calculations and hidden agendas were intertwined hovered over the backs of the people leaving.
Someone was thinking of accompanying the state visit, someone of a new investment plan, and yet someone else of a way to check their competitors.
I also left Yeongbingwan while lost in thought.
‘I must hurry with the preparations for the US trip. Since HJ Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering will also play an important role this time.’
The cold winter air brushed past.
Getting into the car, I headed straight for HJ Partners.
Even though giants had been sitting together at Cheongwadae just a few minutes ago, the stage to decide the actual victory was starting from now.
When I arrived at the headquarters, I headed to the office.
I contacted someone.
“President Yu Hyeon-seok, it has been a while. I would like to meet for a moment.”
Yu Hyeon-seok became the inaugural president of HJ Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, which changed its company name from Daehan Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering.
As HJ Partners entered the shipbuilding and marine industry, he had been in charge of practical affairs starting from restructuring.
That was why I had been watching him steadily, and after evaluating his ability highly, I had appointed him as the current president.
After a while, Yu Hyeon-seok visited my office.
Wearing a neat suit and having calm eyes, he bowed his head and offered a greeting to me.
I also welcomed him gladly with a bright smile, as if it were nice to see his face after a long time.
“Representative, what brings you to call? By any chance, did something….”
“President Yu, it is good to see you. It has been a while.”
After the two of us shared a short handshake, we sat down.
I asked after his well-being first.
“President Yu, how is the work at HJ Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering these days? Are there any difficulties by any chance?”
Yu Hyeon-seok was lost in thought for a moment and then answered with his characteristic calm voice.
“I am truly thankful that you always take care of things meticulously, Representative. To be honest, it would be a lie to say there are no difficulties… but still, all the employees are running hard with the mind of making a new start after changing the company name.”
In his expression, a heavy sense of responsibility and simultaneously a subtle sense of fatigue were mixed.
HJ Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering was not just a name change, but the entire organization was in the middle of being reorganized.
The process of breaking away from the inertia of the past Daehan Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering days and establishing a new system was absolutely not easy.
“Particularly, there are some conflicts in the process of adjusting relationships with existing subcontractors or redeploying personnel. But we are solving them one by one. There was no great confusion because the representative clearly suggested the direction for the field team leaders too.”
I nodded while listening intently to his words.
I was not a manager who just listened to results.
I was the type to read whether there were any problems even from such detailed reports.
“I see. As expected, you are adapting well just as I believed, President Yu.”
I smiled and continued speaking.
“Then how is the current order status? Please tell me specifically.”
Yu Hyeon-seok straightened his posture and engaged seriously.
“Yes, speaking based on the current standards, we have been putting spurts into new orders in earnest since the end of last year. Particularly, we are producing results by participating in bidding with competitive conditions in the fields of medium-sized LNG carriers and special purpose vessels.”
He began to recite the figures calmly.
“The planned order scale for the first quarter of this year is about 400 billion won. Some of them have already entered the contract finalization stage. However, for orders from the US and European sides, the entry barrier is still high. Problems with technical certification procedures and local partner networks remain.”
I put my hand on my chin and listened to his words quietly.
“How is China these days?”
Yu Hyeon-seok’s expression stiffened slightly.
He let out a short sigh and then nodded while speaking.
“As expected, I knew you would point out that part. To be honest, the offensive of the Chinese shipbuilding industry is significant. Particularly, large shipyards are rapidly increasing their market share with a low-price strategy.”
He took out the materials he had prepared and continued the explanation while showing several key indicators.
“China is using a method of pushing forward by lowering the unit price by nearly 10 to 15% with government subsidies on its back. Since some companies value price competitiveness over technological prowess, there are cases where we are pushed back in bidding.”
I nodded and furrowed my brows slightly.
“Especially in the medium-sized merchant ship or general-purpose carrier markets, the impact is even greater. From the perspective of the shipowner, many turn their eyes toward the Chinese side if operating costs are reduced even if the quality is a bit lower. For us, we cannot recklessly follow orders with low profit margins either.”
Yu Hyeon-seok continued speaking.
“But we cannot just let go of it either. Because the market itself is so tight right now, once we are pushed back, it is very difficult to find that line again. Even if we compete with technical competitiveness, it is a situation where it is not easy to respond to the low-price offensive in the short term.”
I nodded, but my gaze was gradually becoming sharp.
I looked over the documents Yu Hyeon-seok handed over and spoke.
“China is pushing with prices, and the US and Europe have high entry barriers…. Eventually, the place for us to stand is becoming narrower.”
Yu Hyeon-seok answered immediately.
“That is right. That is why this entry into the US market is very important. It is not a simple order, but we need a stage where we can secure brand trust by putting technical prowess forward. We must create that for us to hold the initiative in other markets as well.”
I only looked at the documents quietly for a while.
‘China’s low-price offensive will not stop for the time being.’
Europe already has a tightly woven network with its own domestic companies, and eventually, the breakthrough will be the US.
I slowly turned the documents with my fingertips and then put them down.
“Very well. Let’s move together with HJ Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering during this US visit. We will not just accompany you, but use it as a bridgehead for entry.”
Yu Hyeon-seok’s eyes flashed in an instant.
He straightened his posture even more and tried to accurately grasp my intention.
“Representative, do you have a specific plan by any chance?”
I nodded and continued speaking.
“The US market is also standing at an inflection point now. If we can clearly show our technical prowess, the market will open its doors. This state visit is not a simple diplomatic event.”
I stopped speaking for a moment and looked at Yu Hyeon-seok.
“It is an opportunity for us to directly engrave our brand under the government’s shield. I will be able to create a path to some extent regarding certification procedures and partner network problems if I move. Instead, technical prowess and quality must not be shaken under any circumstances.”