Story of a Big Player from Gangnam

CEO Park took a sip of his canned coffee before continuing, “The person who I want to recommend for you as an executive officer in your company is someone who used to work at an investment bank after having studied in the U.S.”

Gun-Ho waved his hand and said, “Oh, no. I don’t have a position in any of my companies for such a high qualified worker. As you know well, sir, all of my companies are small manufacturing companies. None of the positions in my companies require such high qualifications. I think A Electronics probably has a lot of positions that require people like him.”

“The thing is that… he is former Minister Jin-Woo Lee’s little brother.”

“Huh? His little brother? That’s even better, isn’t it? A Group’s chairman is Candidate Jin-Woo Lee’s father-in-law. He will gladly hire his son-in-law’s little brother. The qualification that he has, such as his educational and work experience will better suit a large company like A Electronics.”

“The chairman wants things to be settled quietly. He doesn’t want to draw any unnecessary public attention.”

“I don’t think it would. He is hiring someone for his own company, who is well qualified for a position.”

“That’s not how it works practically. If Candidate Jin-Woo Lee becomes the leader of his political party and intends to run for President subsequently, A Group will be brought to public attention. That’s inevitable. If his brother works for A Group, it will attract even more people’s attention.”

“Candidate Jin-Woo Lee’s becoming the leader of his political party and running for President will bring benefits to A Group, doesn’t it?”

CEO Park of A Group’s planning and coordination department shook his head from side to side.

“It’s not good for a company to have close connections with political power. It could bring benefits at first temporarily, but eventually, it will put the company at risk, especially after a new administration arrives. A business should not keep a close or distant relationship with politicians or political power.”

“Worrying about possible negative impacts on his business, A Group’s chairman could have dissuaded his son-in-law from entering into the political sphere, couldn’t he?”

“People, who already decided that he had things to do by becoming a politician, wouldn’t stop trying to become one just because someone tells him not to do. And, we can obtain actual profits from the connections quietly.”

“Hmm, obtaining actual profits? What sorts of profits would that be?”

CEO Park grinned without replying to Gun-Ho’s question, but he just looked up at the sky with a smile on his face. After a while, CEO Park said, “What is the term for a member of Dyeon Korea’s board of directors?”

“According to the joint venture’s code, it’s two years.”

“Dyeon Korea has been in business for more than two years now, meaning that some members of its board of directors have been changed or reappointed, right?”

“That’s correct. I will be stepping down from the president position soon and becoming the chairman of the board of directors. As you know, the board of directors doesn’t get involved in the company’s daily operations, but it handles material issues of the company.”

“Does that mean the American partner will send someone for the president position?”

“Right. They will appoint someone for the president position, and we will appoint our person for the vice president position.”

“A vice president is also a member of the board of directors?”

“Not necessarily. But, the vice president is representing the Korean partner’s interest, so it would be beneficial for us to have him as a member of the board of directors.”

“I will be direct with you, Mr. President Goo. I strongly recommend Candidate Jin-Woo Lee’s little brother— Mr. Hyeong-Woo Lee— for Dyeon Korea.”

“That’s absurd, Mr. CEO Park. You said yourself that he used to work in an investment bank, not in the manufacturing industry. His work experience is not related to Dyeon Korea’s business. Dyeon Korea currently has 250 employees, and the number keeps growing. Do you think someone with work experience in an investment bank can handle managing 300 to 400 workers?”

“Hmm.”

“Moreover, we already have a senior director who is expected to take the vice president position, not to mention other high-level officers below that person. I’m sure that they wouldn’t be happy if I bring someone from outside and place him in the position above them. I don’t want to cause any disturbance inside the company.”

“What about the position of senior director then?”

“I just don’t understand why he would want to work for a small manufacturing company like Dyeon Korea. With his work experience and educational background, he can surely have plenty of companies to choose from.”

“As a matter of fact, he worked as a manager in an investment bank. As the investment bank tried to reduce the number of their workers, he was laid off recently. If he gets a job from another investment bank, he will have to keep the same position as a manager. But, if he works in a company like Dyeon Korea with a higher position like a senior director for maybe two years or so, I think he can take a position of the same level in a large company later on.”

“Hmm.”

“As you mentioned, the term for Dyeon Korea’s board members is two years. If you let him work for Dyeon Korea for the next two years, A Group or Candidate Jin-Woo Lee will pay you back for your help in any forms possible later on.”

“We will have our end-of-year promotion at the end of this year. Our American partner will make their announcement about who they chose for the vice president position on December 15th. What if we bring Candidate Jin-Woo Lee’s little brother— Mr. Hyeong-Woo Lee— to Dyeon Korea after that?”

“It has to be now. Once Candidate Jin-Woo Lee becomes the leader of Gongmyeong Party and placed in the center of public attention, his little brother’s subsequent job placement afterwards can be criticized by the public, saying that Candidate Jin-Woo Lee placed his little brother in the position with Dyeon Korea. The timing has to be now. That’s why I wanted to see you today, Mr. President Goo.”

“Hmm.”

“I know what I’m asking you is not an easy one.”

“It won’t be easy for me to calm down the internal resistance about having someone from outside. Also, I’m not sure what kind of work he can handle in Dyeon Korea considering the nature of its business.”

“I was told that Dyeon Korea is vigorously expanding business abroad. Given that situation, what about placing him in an executive officer position in the trading and development of the international market? He obtained his MBA degree from one of the IVY league universities anyway.”

“Even if I try hard to place him within Dyeon Korea, I can give him a director position, but not a vice president position. That would be impossible.”

“I understand that. A director position is good enough as long as he is also placed as one of the board members.”

“Okay then. I will keep him in Dyeon Korea for two years and let him go after that.”

“Don’t fire him though, but just let him go after two years.”

“Of course, I will. But, I will have to discuss it with Dyeon Korea’s current executive officers before I give you the answer for sure. I will contact you.”

“Sounds good.”

“By the way, how old is that person?”

“He just turned 50.”

“Well, can you send me Mr. Hyeong-Woo Lee’s resume via email? And please give me some time until I contact you.”

“I will expect to hear from you within this week if that’s okay with you. Once you hire him, please make sure that you get him Four Major Public Insurance as well.”

“I will do that.”

“You will see a lot of benefits in the future as you hire him in your company, Mr. President Goo.”

“Well, I’m receiving a lot of help from you now too.”