The 3th Generation of the Chaebol Wants to Live Quietly - Chapter 1109



Only Noblemtl

1109

Team Leader Jo Seong-don clearly understood Director Choi Min-hyeok’s intentions for carrying out this task from his tone of voice. What Director Choi Min-hyeok wanted was to compromise with the anti-Plims forces.

Of course, there will still be those who oppose, but they will not react as sensitively as Rep. John Smith due to internal conflicts.

“Let’s wrap this up quickly. Then we have to deal with the Han-Young Ilbo issue.”

“……yes.”

* * *

LC Electronics Central Research Institute Director Kwon Hyuk-soo has been feeling the pinch from LC Group headquarters these days.

It’s because of a sudden order.

This is an instruction to increase CDMA competitiveness.

He was already working on several CDMA-related projects.

However, I was worried because the results were not good.

I protested to some extent.

[That’s not how research and development is done!]

Fortunately, this excuse worked.

This was the reason why Director Kwon Hyuk-soo could speak loudly even when attending LC Electronics headquarters meetings.

But then one day, suddenly another order came down from LC Electronics headquarters.

[KM Electronics has succeeded in developing the Plims chip and is currently developing a Plims terminal using this chip, which is expected to be released within a few months.]

It was actually a nonsensical story.

However, the Plims terminal manufactured by KM Electronics was not a commercial product.

It just needs to work for the purpose of implementing the function.

So, you will see results within a few months.

However, the story with the Plims Chip was a bit different.

This is because LC Electronics is currently struggling with the development of its next-generation CDMA terminal.

‘What does this mean?’

Research Director Kwon Hyuk-soo belatedly confirmed the news that Director Choi Min-hyeok had developed the Plims chip.

It was absurd.

‘Does this make sense?’

No matter what I did, it was too much.

He went through several channels to confirm the truth, specifically through his college classmates at ETRI, just in case, and ended up panicking.

A hopeful expectation.

Actually, I thought the media exaggerated it a bit.

But it was the opposite.

The press also didn’t know about the real Plims chip.

[It seems like Director Choi Min-hyeok controlled the information because he didn’t want to create a sensitive issue. In fact, the development of Plims will accelerate because of this chip.]

Then things change.

It was around this time that Director Kwon Hyuk-soo of the Research Institute received a call from Director Han Byeong-soo of the Planning Department.

To everyone’s surprise, Planning Director Han Byeong-su contacted us and said he would bring Director Choi Min-hyeok to visit the research center.

[You know how to respond in this situation without me having to say anything, right? I will only trust Director Kwon Hyuk-soo.]

Director Kwon Hyuk-soo eventually called all the team leader-level employees at LC Electronics Central Research Institute and relayed the news of Director Choi Min-hyeok’s visit.

In the past, their reaction would have been predictable.

[Huh, does that make sense? What is the point of Director Choi Min-hyeok visiting our lab?]

But things were a little different now.

Everyone who heard the news of the development of the Plims chip was nervous.

[Are you jointly developing Plims with Director Choi Min-hyeok?]

[That’s not it. I haven’t heard the proper story yet, but there’s something important going on. The reason you came to our lab is probably to confirm it.]

In the end, the powerless LC Electronics Central Research Institute staff had to prepare for the inspection in time for Director Choi Min-hyeok’s visit.

We cleaned and prepared the interior of the central research lab diligently.

Director Choi Min-hyeok showed up after receiving guidance from Planning Director Han Byeong-su.

In addition to his own entourage, he also brought along Planning Director Han Byeong-su and his entourage.

[Director Minhyeok Choi, welcome to the LC Central Research Institute!]

Research Director Kwon Hyuk-soo bowed with confidence, despite being 55 years old.

“…yes.”

Director Choi Min-hyeok was amazed at the hospitality shown by the central research institute’s key staff members, including Director Kwon Hyuk-soo, who were standing in front of him.

He glanced at the researchers in the other building.

They also stared blankly at Director Choi Min-hyeok, wondering if he had seen anything.

To be exact, I am referring to Director Kwon Hyuk-soo.

The research director Kwon Hyuk-soo they knew was quite a charismatic person and he was confident even in front of the president of LC Electronics.

But I didn’t know that he would be so humble to someone from another company, let alone the CEO of the headquarters.

Of course, complaints came out.

[Why on earth do you do that?]

[There’s a lot of talk about the terminal shortage. With the sudden increase in users, the terminal shortage has been reported in the news. If this is the case for CDMA terminals, it will be even worse for Plims terminals.]

[By the way, I heard that the model released this time has problems with the terminal performance. Is that why it’s like that?]

[It can’t be helped. The initial number of users was only in the tens of thousands, but the demand for terminals increased to hundreds of thousands.]

[So you’re saying that the Plims terminal is pre-oiled?]

[Of course. Of course, there are rumors that it is under development within the lab, but the Plims technology standard has not yet been released. There is no way it will be properly developed. However, it was recently reported in the news that the Plims chip was developed. So it has to be like that. If I can just join hands with Director Choi Min-hyeok, I can take the lead in the next-generation terminal market.]

[…So that’s why you’re so humble?]

[The stakes are high. It could be hundreds of billions, or even trillions. You shouldn’t just bow down, you should get down on the floor.]

[That’s a bit harsh.]

LC Electronics Central Research Institute had its own pride. Unlike government research institutes like ETRI, they were part of a private research institute.

So, they ended up making bitter expressions while understanding the actions of Director Kwon Hyuk-soo.

“… … .”

Minhyeok Choi glanced at Director Hyuksoo Kwon, ignoring the stares of the other staff members of the LC Electronics Central Research Institute.

Even Planning Director Han Byeong-su was astonished at how humble the posture was.

‘… Not bad.’

* * *

Team Leader Jo Seong-don already knows well how other large corporations treat Director Choi Min-hyeok. However, he could not have imagined that the head of the central research institute would personally come out and give a briefing.

‘…Is it because of the location?’

Research Director Kwon Hyuk-soo is not that old at 55 years old.

Oh, to be exact, based on the age of the former director of the Central Research Institute.

However, I was not happy recently because the LC Group headquarters failed to predict this terminal incident in advance.

This is because if they had just done a proper job on terminal performance, they could have overwhelmed Oseong Electronics and HY Electronics in one fell swoop.

In that sense, Director Kwon Hyuk-soo did not do anything wrong.

But the LC group didn’t think so.

Nowadays, users cannot subscribe to mobile phones even if they want to.

This is because the only companies that have released terminals that are available right now are Qualcomm and Sony.

In particular, Sony was trying desperately to monopolize the Korean CDMA terminal market in retaliation against CEO Choi Min-hyeok.

It actually worked.

This phenomenon was a little different from Director Choi Min-hyeok’s previous life.

‘Why is Sony acting so crazy? Is LC Electronics nervous because of that?’

Director Choi Min-hyeok also couldn’t readily understand this situation.

He talked about CDMA while receiving uncomfortable guidance because of it.

“…It seems like they are investing a lot in the terminal side as well.”

“Oh, don’t be ridiculous. I was in such a hurry that I ended up having a problem with the terminal and it caused chaos.”

In fact, the terminal agency also urged LC Electronics headquarters.

But the problem is that this situation will not be resolved in the short term.

CDMA terminals were like this.

In that case, there was no need to even mention the Plims terminal.

Planning Director Han Byeong-su spoke cautiously to Director Choi Min-hyeok while guiding him around the terminal research lab.

“I heard that you have completed the development of the Plims chip. Can we also receive chips from you?”

Director Choi Min-hyeok showed a slightly embarrassed expression.

“Don’t you know? There are problems because the development has just been completed.”

“Actually, that’s why I’m asking you this.”

Research Institute Director Kwon Hyuk-soo opened his mouth slightly, his face already covered.

“If you do that, we at LC Electronics will do everything we can for KM Electronics.”

It was over again.

Planning Director Han Byeong-su looked at Research Institute Director Kwon Hyuk-soo, who was coming out in a low posture.

But even so, Director Kwon Hyuk-soo was confident. He never forgot the recent humiliation he suffered at LC Group. In fact, he had to hold on to Director Choi Min-hyeok’s hand to survive.

“It is a well-known fact that KM Electronics’ productivity is limited. Through this incident, we can solve KM Electronics’ fundamental problems. If necessary, we will become a KM Electronics subcontractor!”

“Chief!!”

Planning Director Han Byeong-su could no longer bear it any longer and shouted.

Although Director Kwon Hyuk-soo was startled.

Director Choi Min-hyeok instead glared at Planning Director Han Byeong-su.

“Chief!”

“yes?”

“Are you thinking differently than Oseong Electronics? They even used Senior Vice President Kim Hyeon-woo, a former KM Electronics employee, to do something about it.”

“Oh, no. Absolutely not.”

“No. It smells like that. To be honest, isn’t Director Kwon Hyuk-soo doing that because he’s greedy about developing the Plims dictionary? It’s all for the good of LC Electronics. So why are you criticizing him for that?!”

Planning Director Han Byeong-su was inwardly angry, but he held back desperately.

He no longer noticed Director Choi Min-hyeok’s age.

In fact, LC Information & Communications also jumped into this CDMA business in earnest.

It’s time to redefine the division of labor.

That’s because LC electronics were in emergency mode.

“…sorry.”

“I hope you are careful.”

Director Choi Min-hyeok rebuked him and did not bring up the issue any further.

This is because the purpose of his visit here in the first place was completely different.

In a way, it’s like establishing discipline.

Director Choi Min-hyeok did not pressure his opponent any further here. If he pressed too hard, he might react in a backlash.

He used the excuse of having lunch to buy some more time.

* * *

After lunch, the briefing at the LC Central Research Institute resumed.

This was because the LC Central Research Institute was conducting so much research.

Director Choi Min-hyeok also stuck out his tongue at this sight. He thought that he could not underestimate LC Electronics. He opened his mouth slightly at the sight of Planning Director Han Byeong-su looking at his reaction.

“Well, judging from the enthusiasm of Director Kwon Hyuk-soo, I can tell that he is serious about Plims. There is something I am already thinking about, which is the establishment of a Plims corporation. For example, we will establish a new corporation based on the Plims patents that KM Electronics has. You can see it as a new company that owns the Plims original technology.”

“Seo, are you thinking of investing in Plims?”

Director Choi Min-hyeok once again delivered a Hollywood performance soaked in excellence.

Yeon-gi is an unfortunate businessman who had no choice but to give up his Plims patent due to external pressure.

“I’m not saying this because I want to. I get goosebumps from how much interest people have in other people’s technology. Well, well, even the kids in the US House of Representatives are drooling!”

Planning Director Han Byeong-su didn’t listen to anything else. What he was curious about was the investment in Plims.

“Well, then what are the criteria for selling shares?”

Director Choi Min-hyeok fell silent once again. He ignored Director Han Byeong-su’s words while talking about various things with the staff at the terminal research lab, and then spoke cautiously.

“… For now, I’m thinking of setting the standard at around $200 million for a 1% stake.”

“Huh? What is that… … .”

Planning Director Han Byeong-su was about to say, “Are you talking nonsense?” but swallowed it when he met Director Choi Min-hyeok’s cold gaze.

Yes, it could be valuable because it is a technology with clear future value.

The person who made $25 billion with a 12% stake in Apple right now is Director Choi Min-hyeok.

But now Apple’s stock price is only $90.

But Plims still only had the original technology without any results.

No, there were terminal chips and test switches, but they weren’t actually sold.