1953 Bare-handed Tycoon - Chapter 352



Only Noblemtl

352 – Sergeant Eisenberg

“At least you have to meet someone like Eisenberg to build a fertilizer plant, right?”

Kijo agreed with Joonghoon’s words.

“Has that guy Eisenberg come to Korea?”

“No, I don’t think so. There are rumors that he went to West Germany with Korean officials.”

The keynote speaker nodded.

Eisenberg was a different kind of person among the offer brokers and loan brokers who settled in the Peninsula Hotel.

The scale was different from that of English Ph.D. Lee, Opus Shin, and Italian ‘Dariana’.

Saul N. Eisenberg was an unusual figure, a German Jew who fled Nazi persecution and came to Japan to become successful.

He established the Korean branch of Eisenberg Corporation in the Peninsula Hotel and has been doing business since the 1950s.

I mainly brokered commercial loans by negotiating with Korean agencies of major companies in the United States and West Germany.

In the 1960s and 1970s, when aid from the United States was decreasing and Korea had to make up for its foreign currency shortage with loans, he was the one who brokered 80% of foreign loans.

But there were a lot of problems.

There were many irregularities, such as taking 10% of commercial loans as brokerage fees and delivering goods imported from overseas as used goods.

There were many times when the plant he brokered would break down within two weeks, causing the factory to stop operating, or when the thermal power plant he had painstakingly built would not function properly.

He even supplied nuclear power plants to Korea; the Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1, which began construction in 1977, was the work of Saul Eisenberg.

Although he was a problematic figure, he was able to make huge profits in Korea for a long time by bribing politicians with some of the huge brokerage fees he received.

Records of him also remained in diplomatic documents of Japan and the United States.

Japan recorded that he seriously bribed Japanese companies to hinder their advance into Korea.

The United States believed that the bribes he spread in Korean politics were being used as political funds.

He was a person whose name was only whispered and rumored in Korea.

In the morning, Kijo read in the newspaper an article about the government’s vice-ministerial negotiating team’s achievements in West Germany and its return to the country.

Although it was only a mere $37.5 million, it was a loan formally signed with the West German government.

It was Saul Eisenberg’s work that enabled the Economic Association to succeed in negotiating a loan that it had failed to do.

It was an absurd reality that arose because Korea’s national credit rating was lower than that of a single German company.

Joong-Hoon also told Ki-Jo that he had seen the article.

“That guy Eisenberg is really great. He probably would have made the vice minister successful.”

The keynote speaker nodded.

Although Eisenberg was making huge profits by clinging to developing countries that lacked information and connections with advanced countries and giving bribes, it was a necessary evil for Korea, which was in dire straits due to a shortage of foreign currency.

Kijo left his office after talking to Joonghoon.

I came down to the lobby and saw Lee Maeng-hee drinking tea and talking with a man in the coffee shop on the first floor.

The keynote speaker looked at the man as he passed by.

It was Kim Myeong-hwan, the Korean branch manager of Eisenberg Company.

If you frequent the Peninsula Hotel, you will naturally come to know the person’s face and name.

Kijo pretended not to see them and left the hotel.

* * *

A few days later, an article appeared in the newspaper reporting that General Van Fleet was visiting Korea.

The keynote was that Van Fleet’s visit was connected to Saul Eisenberg.

General James A. Van Fleet served as the commander of the U.S. 8th Army for about two years during the Korean War, and had a connection with Korea.

He had a deep relationship with Syngman Rhee, to the point that he mentioned his name in his speeches to the House and Senate when Syngman Rhee visited the United States in July 1954.

“Koreans call General Van Fleet the ‘father of the Korean army,’” Syngman Rhee said.

The Van Fleet Award was awarded to a person who contributed to the development of Korea-US relations by founding the Korea Society, a Korea-US friendship association.

It is known that he helped Korea’s economic development by establishing the Korea-America Foundation.

However, the fact that he was a prolific ‘businessman’ is not well known in Korea.

This was because only his good deeds were highlighted, such as being frequently invited to Korea to participate in national events and donating to the poor.

After retirement, he founded his own real estate company and investment company and managed various businesses.

He also served as a consultant and advisor to major American companies, and was very active to the point of serving as an advisor to 20th Century Fox.

He built trust with the Park Chung-hee government by openly supporting the ‘military revolution’ immediately after the May 16 coup, and actually mediated the attraction of various American private investments to Korea, including oil refining, housing, movies, and shipbuilding.

He was a strong competitor to Saul Eisenberg.

It seems that Saul Eisenberg was visiting Korea to check the expansion of West German private companies into Korea.

What made him different from Eisenberg was that he didn’t bribe.

Van Fleet, who visited Korea on December 17, met with Chairman Park and said he would work to bring integrated steel plants, fertilizer, aluminum, synthetic resin, and pulp plants to Korea.

Keynote could have met Van Fleet, but did not.

This was because the purpose of his visit to Korea was seen as an attempt to divert the attention of the Korean government, which was seeking a loan from West Germany for economic development.

In fact, all of the investment plans he announced in Korea in the early 1960s ended in vain.

After Van Fleet’s two-day, one-night visit ended and he left Korea, he received a call from the West German embassy.

The new West German ambassador asked Gizo to visit the embassy.

Ambassador Hertz, who had arranged for the fertilizer plant loan to Gizo, left for his new post in Mexico, and Ambassador Karl Bungel took up his post.

The keynote speech went to the West German embassy located inside the Peninsula Hotel.

It was the first visit to the embassy since the ambassador was replaced.

As I entered the embassy, ​​I was greeted by knowledgeable staff.

Entering the ambassador’s office, Kijo greeted the new German ambassador.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Lee Ki-jo. I wanted to meet you sooner, but I finally get to see you now.”

Ambassador Bungel was a different person from the previous ambassadors.

If Ambassador Hertz was the scholar type, the new ambassador seemed like a practical and realistic German.

While shaking hands with him, my gaze naturally turned to the man who was with the ambassador.

Ambassador Bungel introduced the man to the keynote speaker.

“Let me introduce you to this person. This is Myung-Hwan Kim, the Korean branch manager of Eisenberg Corporation.”

“Nice to meet you.”

Kijo greeted first. Then the man smiled and said.

“I think I’ve seen your face often at hotels. Haven’t I?”

“Yes, I think so.”

The keynote speaker knew very well who Saul Eisenberg’s agent, Myung-Hwan Kim, was.

“The reason I invited you two together is because I think you two will play a big role in economic exchange between West Germany and Korea.”

Ambassador Bungel said.

I got the impression that his goal from the beginning was to connect me with Kim Myung-hwan.

Mr. Eisenberg ran the domestic sales agency for major West German companies such as Siemens and Demag.

Eisenberg’s interests were soon West Germany’s interests.

Ambassador Bungel mentioned that his predecessor, Ambassador Hertz, had built the Chongsan fertilizer plant as a West German loan.

“It will be difficult for Korea to obtain financial loans in the future.”

Ambassador Bungel has truly revealed his purpose.

He said that the best loan is a fiscal loan, which is a loan between countries, and it is difficult to obtain, and the next best is the Development Loan Fund (DLF) that can be obtained in the United States, but even that is difficult to obtain for even 10% of the application amount, so commercial loans, which are transactions between companies, will become the trend.

He also mentioned that for a country like Korea that is in an urgent situation and needs rapid development, a commercial loan that is disbursed immediately upon application is appropriate.

“The commercial loan is very important as an intermediary. We need a company that can guarantee Korea’s lack of credit. I think Eisenberg is the best fit for that job.”

The keynote speaker nodded.

Eisenberg had branches in over 40 countries around the world and was not picky about dealing with developing or developed countries.

Because we have a track record of successfully brokering thousands of business deals ranging from weapons to nuclear power plants to daily necessities.

Kijo quickly looked at the clothes of Kim Myeong-hwan, who was sitting in front of him.

Everything from the watch he wore to his suit was high-end imported goods.

The keynote was that the commission received by the Korean branch manager of Eisenberg was approximately 0.05% of the loan amount.

In the history of Yuan, he is known to have earned around 20 million dollars.

Of course, not all of that money would have ended up in his pocket. He would have also given a significant amount of it away as bribes to government officials and politicians.

The keynote speech was that Eisenberg confirmed that the US nuclear power plant would be built in Korea and that the Korea International Steel Association (KISA) would be formed.

I judged that it was time for Van Fleet to visit Korea and start selling commercial loans in earnest.

Kim Myeong-hwan seemed likely to get involved in the steel business promoted by Kijo as his agent.

Ambassador Bungel did his best in ‘sales’.

“Chairman Park, who visited the United States, failed to obtain the funds needed for the five-year economic development plan. However, if he visits West Germany, he will achieve good results. I hope that there will be good news between the two countries soon.”

He hinted that the West German government was willing to invite Chairman Park in the near future.

He then mentioned that Eisenberg, who had strong ties to major West German companies, would do a great job.

The new West German ambassador’s first impression was not good.

After hearing the ambassador’s story, Kijo left the West German embassy with Kim Myeong-hwan.

“Come to our office and have a cup of tea.”

The keynote speech was in response to Kim Myeong-hwan’s proposal.

I had no intention of using Sergeant Eisenberg, but he was a man worth utilizing, having both harmed and helped Korea throughout history.

It could stimulate the U.S. government and business community and bring German companies into KISA.

Then, it could also help attract Japanese companies to KISA.

Kijo entered Eisenberg’s office inside the Peninsula Hotel and was treated to tea.

Kim Myeong-hwan, sitting across from me, spoke with a serious expression.

“Although I work for a foreign company, I work to develop Korea. Shouldn’t we somehow bring in foreign capital to develop Korea? We are working hard to bring in foreign capital.”

“You are doing a great job.”

The keynote speech did not reveal his feelings.

“Well, I know you might be offended if I say this, but didn’t Ambassador Hertz, who had a connection with this CEO, leave Korea?”

“Yes.”

“As you can see, Ambassador Bungel has a deep connection with our company. If you use our company in the future, you will also be able to build a deep connection with the new West German Ambassador.”

“okay.”

“Also…, according to what we have found out, Cheongsan does not have a separate organization for government affairs.”

“Yes.”

Kim Myeong-hwan smiled and said in response to the keynote speech.

“The soldiers act like they are honest now, but we don’t know what will happen in the future. If the government is transferred to the civilians, it will definitely be similar to the past, and even if the military continues to hold power, it will be the same in the end. People are the same.”

Kim Myeong-hwan, who had a bitter smile on his face, suggested.

“If you are daunted by the task of public relations, leave it to us. Our company has been working since the Syngman Rhee government and was also active during the Chang Myon government.”

The keynote speaker nodded.

“Have you ever seen Sergeant Eisenberg’s name mentioned even once during the revolutionary trials after April 19 or May 16?”

“doesn’t exist.”

“That means we are certain to get the job done.”

Kim Myeong-hwan paused for a moment as if to give him time to think, then said.

“I know that this CEO is working hard for the national economy. But the reality is not easy. I am also a patriot who works hard for the development of the country, just like this CEO.”

Kim Myung-hwan said that and laughed.

The keynote speaker said that he did not like fake patriots like Kim Myeong-hwan, but he did not show it.

“KISA was formed recently, so I hope that CEO Eisenberg can connect us with many German companies.”

“Of course. That’s right. I’ll show you the power of Sergeant Eisenberg. You’ll see it soon enough. Hahaha.”

Kijo laughed along with Kim Myeong-hwan.

Kijo, who had been drinking a cup of tea, stood up and said he would think about it.

There are all kinds of people in the world, and even those who do bad things can be helpful.

The keynote required the strength of all kinds of people.

As we left the Peninsula Hotel, the cold wind of late December was sweeping through the streets.

Kijo turned up the collar of his coat and walked slowly into the office.