Chapter 79

The Bear Kingdom is Now Mine Chapter 79

079 Immunity from Arrest. That Doesn't Apply Here / Don't Do That

December 11, 1997.

A week before the 15th presidential election in South Korea.

When a private plane from Russia landed at Gimpo Airport, South Korean politicians and businesspeople were on high alert.

This was because two people were coming in place of the Russian president.

Sergei, the chief of staff, and Nikolai, the economic advisor.

Sergei was there to meet with Blue House officials on behalf of President Zakhrov, while Nikolai was there to acquire South Korean companies.

Nikolai, walking the red carpet with Sergei, received a bouquet from a flower girl and passed it to Sasha, then shook hands with Blue House officials.

"Welcome. We are honored to have you."

While Sergei chatted briefly with government officials, Nikolai met an old acquaintance.

"Mr. Lee, it's been a long time since we last met."

"Nice to see you. It's been almost four years since we first met at the Shilla Hotel."

"I remember it well."

"You look even better than before."

Chairman Lee of the Ousung Group recalled that time as he looked at Nikolai.

Back then, he had taken an interest in Nikolai because he was the grandson of Chairman Yury Yusupov.

When he heard that negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Russia and South Korea were about to begin, he paid a bit more attention, but not much else.

When he went to Kaluga to build a TV factory, Nikolai was already the CEO of Gazprom, but that was it.

But now...

'In less than four years, so much has changed.'

The grandson of the Russian president.

The CEO of Gazprom.

The CEO of Black Hole Construction, Russia's top construction company.

The CEO of U-Mart, which dominates Russia's retail market.

The CEO of Alrosa, a world-renowned diamond production company.

Listing them all would make one's mouth dry.

'How did he achieve such a success story at such a young age?'

What was even more impressive...

'Black Hole Investment has the right to acquire our South Korean companies first.'

He had thoroughly researched what kind of company Black Hole Investment was.

A company that specializes in investing in IT companies in the United States and other countries.

Its headquarters are in Moscow, but it has branches in the UK and the US.

The CEO of such a company is personally coming to acquire South Korean companies.

Chairman Lee briefly compared his own children to Nikolai and shook his head.

The difference was too great to compare.

Nikolai expressed his gratitude for the hospitality and said,

"Let's continue our conversation later."

"That sounds good. After you finish your business at the Blue House, we can talk again."

Since he was familiar with Chairman Lee, their conversation was natural.

However, the person standing next to him seemed to be thinking about how to break the ice with Nikolai.

Nikolai extended his hand first.

"Chairman Jung, how are you? I understand you've stepped down to become an honorary chairman."

"Do you know me?"

"Didn't your company, Mirae Motors, build a factory in St. Petersburg? I know about you as well."

"Oh, I see. Nice to meet you."

Chairman Jung was surprised to see a completely Caucasian man speaking fluent Korean.

Compared to a Korean interpreter, Nikolai's pronunciation was so natural that he could have passed for a Korean.

"Thanks to Mirae Motors building the first factory, many other car companies have followed suit in St. Petersburg. I'm late, but thank you."

"No, we should be the ones to thank you. Thanks to Chairman Yury's help, we were able to build the factory quickly."

St. Petersburg had transformed into a specialized automotive city.

Since cars typically consist of 25,000 to 30,000 parts, the city became fully specialized in automotive production as the companies that manufacture these parts also settled there.

Sergei, the chief of staff, had almost finished his greetings, so Nikolai prepared to board the car arranged by the Blue House.

"Thank you for visiting. The president is waiting for you at the Blue House."

Although the president's term was only three months away from ending, he was the one who had negotiated this deal, so the two of them headed to the Blue House to meet him.

* * *

A strange atmosphere filled the Blue House meeting room, where the president was present.

The negotiations had already been finalized on paper, but since Russia had come to enforce them, the president and government officials' expressions were tense.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the president spoke first.

"We deeply appreciate the Russian government's assistance. Although my term is almost over, I will do my best to ensure that the contents of the contract are properly enforced."

"It was a difficult decision. We tried to help several times but were unsuccessful, which was regrettable. Fortunately, it has been resolved, and I am relieved."

As Nikolai translated what Sergei said, the president cleared his throat and averted his gaze.

He had been the one who had ignored Russia's offers of help.

"I will be enforcing the contents of the contract on behalf of the Russian president from today. To expedite the process, we need your full cooperation. And..."

Sergei's gaze turned to Nikolai.

The look in his eyes said, "You take it from here."

Nikolai, determined to take the initiative, spoke in a firm tone.

"We will not let those who refuse to take responsibility for their company's bankruptcy go unpunished."

"…!"

"First, we will seize the assets of those who have committed legal violations. This includes any assets they have hidden overseas. We expect the government to cooperate with our policies."

"Ahem. We will comply. As it is stated in the contract."

The president, who would be leaving the Blue House in three months, didn't care what happened to the businesspeople.

Nikolai's statement that they should be caught if they had embezzled money was correct, so he decided to help.

'Politicians will also be in trouble.'

Politicians involved would also face trials.

That day, after resting at a hotel, Sergei began working with government officials the next day, while Nikolai summoned all the relevant businesspeople to the Blue House.

Dozens of people were summoned to the Blue House, unable to flee the country due to the government's measures.

The prosecutor general, the police chief, and the people responsible for enforcing the actions were also present.

After taking a sip of a beverage to clear his throat, Nikolai addressed a person hiding at the end of the room.

"Starting today, all the assets of Chairman Jung of Hanbo Group will be seized, including those of his family members."

This was due to the numerous corruption cases involving Chairman Jung.

Not only Chairman Jung but also all related individuals (including government officials) would serve prison sentences.

If the seized assets were insufficient, the remaining amount would be deducted at a rate of 1,485 won per hour or 11,880 won per day (based on an 8-hour workday).

There would be no royal labor here.

They would have to work in prison for a long time.

When Nikolai was a journalist, company owners who had committed hundreds of billions of won in corruption had not gone to prison.

Even if they did, it was usually for 1-3 years, and they often returned within a year due to special pardons.

Ordinary people who embezzled 10 million won would spend years in prison.

This was even more true in 1997.

If Nikolai didn't take action, not a single businessperson would take responsibility.

At most, it would end with Chairman Jung of Hanbo Group.

A symbolic case would be needed to appease the public.

This was similar to what had happened in the original history.

As he explained the punishments, everyone's faces turned pale.

"If you have any objections, please speak up now."

Chairman Jung of Hanbo Group, who had not expected such a severe outcome, turned pale.

The idea of serving hard labor in prison for the remaining amount was unacceptable.

Until now, even if a company went bankrupt, the owner could still live comfortably.

The government had only pretended to enforce the law to appease the public.

This was how things had been in South Korea.

However, Russia was completely different.

Chairman Jung, standing up, glared at Nikolai and said,

"Did I want the company to go bankrupt?"

"Please continue."

"How much have I suffered to feed my employees? If I made a mistake, it was only because I was too ambitious. I cannot accept this decision."

Nikolai nodded, pretending to consider Chairman Jung's words.

...But that was a lie.

He knew better than anyone what kind of mindset company owners had when running their businesses.

Of course, there were some decent owners.

But South Korea was so corrupt that Chairman Jung's words held no weight.

"I have heard your opinion."

Nikolai also stood up and looked at Chairman Jung.

"When the Soviet Union collapsed and Russia was established, the first action taken was a war against corruption. If the top is corrupt, how can the bottom be clean? I will remove all the corrupt parts of South Korean companies and acquire them in a clean state."

And you, Chairman Jung, will be the first.

The fates of others will soon be decided.

"This is not a decision I am making on my own. If there is no wrongdoing, there will be no consequences. If corruption is found, you will spend the rest of your life in prison, as you have worked hard."

"Are you trying to destroy my entire family?"

"Is it okay for others to suffer because of you, but not for you to suffer? The law will judge your actions."

Nikolai showed no mercy.

This time, South Korean businesspeople needed to be thoroughly cleaned up.

If this precedent was set, it would have an effect for decades.

Most importantly, this was necessary to acquire companies cleanly.

"Why don't you say something? It's your turn next. Why are you all silent?"

"The matter has already been settled with the South Korean government."

Nikolai proceeded to clean up the companies one by one.

As each interview ended, the prosecution and police would thoroughly investigate and seize the assets of any company with legal issues.

Kia Motors, A-Oil (refining), Samlip Foods, Haitai, Samsung Pharmaceuticals, Jinro, International Textiles, Ssangyong, Onnuri Travel, Far East Construction, Dankook University...

The more they investigated, the more corruption they found.

The more corruption they found, the easier it was for Nikolai to make decisions.

"We will not abolish the labor unions, but we will collect individual opinions on the website under real names."

Real names will only be visible to the Russian headquarters, so no one can manipulate public opinion.

If such a situation arises, the employee will be held responsible and immediately dismissed.

"Additionally, if an opinion is deemed helpful for the company's development, it will be implemented quickly."

Nikolai's high-intensity cleanup continued.

* * *

A few days passed.

He began meeting with the chairmen of companies facing bankruptcy.

"Chairman Kim. Daewoon Group has truly expanded its operations. It seems you have branches all over the world."

Chairman Kim explained in detail how he had expanded his business and the mindset behind it.

While some parts were understandable, many were not.

"Chairman Kim, you will need to undergo an investigation first. We will make a judgment afterward."

As the investigation began, numerous corruption cases emerged, including illegal loan facilitation and collusion with government officials.

High-ranking government officials and politicians related to Chairman Kim would have their pensions seized and serve prison sentences for the amount they had embezzled.

'What a shame. If this were Russia, I would have sent them to Siberia to cut wood.'

Daewoon Group was so large that acquiring it all at once would be a monumental task.

So, they decided to acquire only the most valuable parts.

* * *

In the midst of the ongoing process, the 15th presidential election took place.

The result was the same as in the original history, with candidate Kim Dae-joon winning. The most surprised person was not Kim Dae-joon or his aides but the current president.

The president called the economic vice minister.

"Vice Minister, was the person who gave you that white envelope President Zakhrov?"

"No, it was Advisor Nikolai."

"Are you sure?"

"...Yes, I'm sure."

What a terrifying judgment.

He was so confident of Kim's victory that he had used it as a condition with another country's president.

'Even with a 50% chance, to predict it correctly...'

The president nodded, recalling Nikolai's face.

"Of course, President Zakhrov must have trusted him to send him here. How is the current situation progressing?"

"Starting with Chairman Jung of Hanbo Group, over 30 businesspeople are facing trials."

"I heard over 40 politicians are also involved?"

"Five more were added today."

"Tsk tsk."

《Immunity from Arrest for Legislators》

Legislators with legal issues are subject to judicial proceedings when the National Assembly is not in session.

Naturally, the National Assembly strongly opposed this.

"Immunity from arrest is a unique right of legislators. We cannot accept this."

"What? During the recess, right?"

"Even during the recess, it is not acceptable."

"Would you let the country fall apart? I will immediately inform the media if anyone opposes this. You will be responsible for the country's downfall."

The president, though reluctant, had no choice but to accept this.

This was one of Russia's demands.

As a result, an unprecedented situation arose where 45 ruling and opposition politicians were facing prison.

Not only legislators but also dozens of other politicians were facing prison.

"Where is he now?"

"He met with the elected candidate Kim Dae-joon and is now meeting with Chairman Jung of Mirae Group."

"Why is he meeting with Chairman Jung?"

"I'm not sure..."

As the economic vice minister said, Nikolai was indeed meeting with Chairman Jung.

* * *

Nikolai knew that Chairman Jung had passed away due to a chronic illness, but he didn't know the exact date.

However, he clearly remembered the last thing he did.

'The funds from that time were largely used by North Korea to develop nuclear weapons.'

Recalling what he had seen on TV, Nikolai asked,

"Chairman Jung, I understand you have plans to lead a herd of cattle across the border at Panmunjom?"

"That's correct."

In the original history, he crossed the border on June 16, 1998, leading 500 cattle from the Asan Farm.

Since this was already known to many, it wasn't strange that Nikolai knew about it.

"Don't do it."

"...What do you mean?"

In the original history, this marked the beginning of Mirae Group's troubles.

Starting with the cattle drive to North Korea, a significant amount of money flowed into North Korea through the Mount Kumgang tourism project.

North Korea used this money to develop nuclear weapons.

After Chairman Jung's death, the group split apart due to a conflict known as the "Brothers' Feud."

Nikolai, aware of this, strongly advised against it with a plausible reason.

"According to our intelligence, not a single won from the cattle drive or business with North Korea will benefit the North Korean people."

"...?"

"Not only the cattle drive, but any business with North Korea is also unacceptable. The money will be used to develop nuclear weapons."

"Nuclear weapons?"

"Yes. Even if it means North Korea will have nuclear weapons because of you, are you still going to lead the cattle across the border and do business with North Korea?"

"..."

"You must not do any business with North Korea. This is information from our Russian intelligence."

Chairman Jung looked deeply troubled.

He must have wanted to step on his homeland's soil before he died.

He had come up with this event, but it was something that should not be done.

Nikolai made a new proposal.

"I will speak with the South Korean government, and you can enter North Korea through Russia. I will arrange for you to enter North Korea as a Russian state guest."

"Ah!"

Chairman Jung's face lit up.

He knew that North Korea would not dare to harm a Russian state guest.

"Let me know when you are ready, and I will contact North Korea."

"In fact, I have always wanted to step on Tongcheon's land before I die. To have you think of me like this, I am truly grateful."

"I will also arrange for you to visit Mount Kumgang."

Chairman Jung's face brightened even more.

"Such a great help. How can I repay you?"

"I didn't say this to receive any repayment."

"Still...?"

"If you feel you must..."

"...?"

"Hasn't the company been struggling due to the president's pressure?"

"..."

Chairman Jung had faced attacks