The chief secretary's anger erupted,
but the telecom cartel remained steadfast, and even today, they gathered in a cheerful atmosphere for drinks.
"Chairman, you've been working hard. Please endure just a little longer."
"What's there to endure? I just let it go in one ear and out the other."
"Thank you so much. We'll continue to rely on your efforts. Even after you step down as chairman, you'll still have to work hard, so we're sorry for that."
"Haha, if it's for the future of Korea's telecom industry, it's only natural."
The president's term was only five years at most.
The broadcasting committee chairman's term was even shorter at three years.
The implication was that the telecom cartel would take care of life afterward.
By moving from company to company as an honorary adviser for three-year terms, one could secure stable income for at least ten years—who would refuse that?
Trading a little criticism for ten years of comfort in life.
So, enduring the chief secretary's harsh words was bearable.
"By the way, I heard the president's chief secretary is quite hot-tempered. Your ears will be ringing for a while, chairman."
"This administration's term isn't long now. There are even talks that lame-duck season will start next year, so we just need to hold on for a few more months, right? Hahaha."
"The president's approval rating has dropped significantly. By the second half of this year, the president's power won't be what it used to be."
The presidential system in Korea held imperial powers.
Such power was possible because of the people's support.
If approval ratings fell below 30%, the foundation of power would begin to shake.
If it dropped below 20%, the Blue House's voice could be ignored without consequence.
"I'm more worried about Super 301. If the U.S. formally enforces Super 301, wouldn't the problem become serious?"
"Think back to the foreign exchange crisis. Back then, Super 301 was also invoked against the auto industry, but eventually, it just faded away, didn't it? You can see the Super 301 card as just a scare tactic."
"So there's still some uncertainty?"
"Hmm, this is just between us. We've already sent lobbyists. They're spreading influence evenly across the White House and political circles, so you can rest assured."
"You really have thought of everything. Then I'll just keep taking the heat!"
There was a reason they enjoyed laughing and chatting over drinks.
The telecom cartel maintained constant contact with U.S. politicians.
Moreover, having invested massive lobbying funds, they were confident the Super 301 issue would be resolved soon.
"Shall we raise a toast again today? To Taewoo Group!"
"To victory!"
The telecom cartel was confident of their victory.
That day, too, they laughed and toasted, mocking Taewoo Group.
***
These days, I frequently met with Jang Kyung-jun, chairman of Hyundai Motor.
As soon as the Super 301 card was played in the U.S., he contacted me, and we had dinner together that day.
"I don't understand why the fire suddenly spread to the auto industry. Why should our auto industry suffer humiliation over a telecom problem?"
"The auto industry is an easy target, isn't it? I'm at my wit's end too. Samsung Electronics and CL Electronics at least still produce phones, but Taewoo Electronics withdrew from the phone business long ago."
For now, I played dumb.
To bring Chairman Jang into an alliance, I had to keep him in the dark about my role in the Super 301 issue.
"Sigh, but surely the U.S. won't formally enforce Super 301, right? Hyundai Motor is even considering filing a WTO complaint."
"The U.S. has shown that withdrawal from the WTO is a possibility. If the situation worsens, no one knows how things might change."
"I heard the Blue House issued orders to ease WIPI regulations, so why is there no sign of movement?"
"You don't know the telecom cartel well. They have enough power to ignore even the president's voice."
"Considering four of the top 10 conglomerates in Korea united, that makes sense."
Among the top five business groups, three were involved.
Isn't that why I'm doing this—to form an alliance with Hyundai Motor?
"To face the telecom cartel, shouldn't the automobile industry also unite?"
"We are trying to shape public opinion by using media companies friendly to us."
"Taewoo Group is also planning to publish articles targeting the telecom cartel."
Their efforts were well coordinated.
Taewoo Group alone would face limits in media play, but with Hyundai Motor Group joining, public opinion could be sufficiently swayed.
"Hmm, how about scaring them by saying IMF might return due to Super 301?"
"Great idea. We will also raise the issue of high data charges in the telecom industry. If we expose how greedy the Korean telecom companies are compared to foreign ones, wouldn't that be effective?"
"Media coverage alone isn't enough. Let's also mobilize politicians. We'll call politicians friendly to Hyundai Motor."
"We'll mobilize every politician we can this time."
Although Taewoo Group was the largest conglomerate,
Hyundai Group had previously held the top spot firmly.
Therefore, many politicians maintained close ties with Hyundai Group, and if we could mobilize them in this fight, it would be like gaining an army.
After finishing the strategy meeting with Chairman Jang Kyung-jun,
I returned to the Taewoo Group headquarters and held a detailed strategy meeting with the planning staff.
"The number of customers wanting the iPhone must increase at least tenfold from now for our voices to reach even Yeouido."
"Daily iPhone sales in the U.S. are breaking records. Thanks to that, calls inquiring about the iPhone launch at Taewoo Electronics stores have increased several times over."
"That alone isn't enough. How many Koreans travel to and from the U.S.? We need to create opportunities for people in Korea to physically experience the iPhone."
"There's no way since the Korean launch is banned."
Although the telecom cartel blocked the iPhone launch in Korea, selling the iPhone was not the only way to let customers experience it.
"Display the iPhone in every Taewoo Electronics store. Use part of the initial stock as display models."
"That's a brilliant move. The launch is banned, but the ban doesn't cover displays. We'll display the iPhones in electronics stores immediately. However, if we use initial stock as displays, we have to bear all the costs."
"Of course, we must bear those costs. If it launches, we'll make much more money later. Think of it as a promotional expense and proceed with the displays."
"I'll make sure all stores nationwide can display the iPhone by tomorrow."
They say seeing once is better than hearing a hundred times.
Seeing and touching the iPhone in stores would naturally cause demand to skyrocket.
"And we must target fashion-sensitive students. Set up iPhone promotion booths at major universities nationwide."
"To set up promotion booths, wireless internet is necessary."
"Then install wireless internet at the universities too."
"That's an extremely costly task."
"If the iPhone launches, wireless internet issues will certainly arise. Building wireless internet infrastructure now won't be a loss at all."
Currently, Korea had the fastest internet infrastructure of any country.
But wireless internet was not yet widespread and could be an unfamiliar concept.
So wireless internet should be installed at universities first, so people could experience its convenience.
"We will start by setting up promotion booths at major universities nationwide and gradually expand."
"Proceed as quickly as possible. The more customers want the iPhone, the sooner we can advance its release."
"I will deploy the entire planning team."
One by one, operations to pressure the telecom cartel were put into action.
I still had several strategies planned, especially those targeting internal matters, which hadn't even begun yet.
***
Apple's vice president, Tony, visited Korea.
He was in charge of all purchasing activities, including dealings with Korean companies for semiconductors and LCD panels.
To entertain him, both Samsung Electronics and CL Electronics moved at the same time.
Unusually, Tony wanted to meet both Samsung and CL representatives simultaneously.
"I've heard both companies are blocking the iPhone's release in Korea. Apple imports many semiconductors from Samsung and uses CL's LCDs. I don't understand why you would pursue a policy like this."
"..."
The representatives had no words to say.
Though they held executive-level titles and were not easily intimidated, they had no way to explain the conflict of interest with their customer.
"Do you perhaps view Apple not as a customer but as a competitor? If so, we'll have no choice but to revise our parts procurement plan, excluding Samsung and CL from semiconductor and LCD suppliers."
"But contracts have already been signed. You cannot terminate them unilaterally."
"Are you seriously saying that? If we terminate the contracts, do you intend to sue? Bring it on. There is no reason to avoid court fights with suppliers who interfere with our customers. Let's settle this in a U.S. court!"
The representatives did not want the situation to escalate.
They were not afraid of Apple itself, but if the dispute went to court, Apple would likely take a much more aggressive stance in the U.S.
"We are never trying to hinder Apple. It's just that the situation in Korea isn't favorable, so the launch is being delayed."
"Then that's a relief. We are planning to sign new contracts for components sufficient for three million units. Secondary and tertiary contracts will follow. However, if this issue isn't resolved, we'll have to go to Japan to sign these contracts instead. Please take that into consideration."
Hearing "three million units," the representatives' eyes widened.
They had heard about the iPhone's massive popularity in the U.S., but they never expected Apple to plan for three million additional units.
The mobile division guys!
Why is it that they cause problems, but I'm the one who has to fix them?
The representative from Samsung Electronics belonged to the semiconductor division.
Since this matter arose from the mobile division, he felt it had nothing to do with him.
The CL Electronics representative was the same.
He belonged to the LCD division and had no connection to the telecom cartel.
"We will do our best to resolve this issue amicably."
"If there's no quick conclusion, not only will contracts be terminated this month, but all orders will be placed with Japanese companies instead. Companies that don't compete with our customers."
Samsung Electronics and CL Electronics also had factions within.
This incident marked the beginning of a factional war.