Chapter 30. Dongwoo Precision (4)

Seong Yuna found out through a bond broker, and thanks to her, I was able to purchase 130 billion won worth of Dongwoo Precision corporate bonds without revealing my identity.

The 130 billion won is based on the price I paid. If you add up the face value of these bonds, it exceeds 1.2 trillion won.

From now on, it's crucial.

Depending on what I do, these corporate bonds could be worth 1.2 trillion won, or they could become worthless.

I briefly explained my investment plan to Seonwoo when he came back from work.

Seonwoo, who heard the story, asked in disbelief.

"Wait a minute. So you bought bonds from a company that's about to go bankrupt?"

"Yep."

Seonwoo exclaimed in shock.

"130 billion won on junk bonds!?"

I can understand why he's shocked. I get it.

Judging from his wavering eyes, he seems to want to pull out his money. But it's too late now.

I patted Seonwoo's shoulder and said,

"Don't worry."

"Does the company have the ability to pay back its debts?"

"Not at all."

"Ah... "

"It's not always necessary to make money to pay back debts."

"What kind of nonsense is that? How can you pay back debts without making money?"

"Someone else can pay it off for you."

"Who will pay it off for you?"

I said confidently,

"So, you need to be adopted by a rich family."

"......What?"

My plan is simple.

Find a company that can acquire Dongwoo Precision and make them do it. Then, if that company pays off the debt, everything will be resolved.

Seonwoo, still looking like his soul had left his body, said,

"Well, it sounds pretty easy when you put it that way."

Words are always easy. The hard part is putting them into action.

"Although they are facing a liquidity crisis, Dongwoo Precision is actually a company with excellent technology. There must be companies that covet it."

"What kind of technology do they have?"

"Technology used in the photolithography process. There are several types of this process, and Dongwoo Precision produces components for the nanoimprint lithography (NIL) method. Although they had a quality issue, the technological expertise and know-how they've accumulated in NIL stamp R&D over the years are actually quite remarkable."

Seonwoo, surprised by my explanation, asked,

"Why do you know so much about semiconductors?"

I shrugged.

"I studied a bit while working."

In fact, I knew nothing about it when I was in school. But working at a securities firm, I naturally became familiar with the terminology.

After all, semiconductors are the largest sector in the Korean stock market.

No wonder the first question new investors ask is, "Can I buy Yuseong Electronics?"

The value of the core technology and patents that Dongwoo Precision currently holds is expected to exceed 100 trillion won within five years and will have a significant impact on the Korean semiconductor industry, albeit in a negative way.

If I could, I would acquire the company myself, but I don't have the money. And even if I did, it wouldn't be that simple.

Dongwoo Precision's rise to the top in the photolithography equipment field was due to continuous investment and support from its parent company.

In other words, it needs not only money but also the technological expertise to nurture it.

Fortunately, there are semiconductor companies in Korea that have both the money and the technological expertise. What if I propose an acquisition to one of these companies?

It would be like rolling a pumpkin vine for them.

The problem is how to make contact...

If I just show up at the headquarters and say, "I have a good message for you," they won't meet me.

The best way to meet a tycoon is to ask for a favor.

Fortunately, I received a call from a tycoon I know.

"Thanks to you, the purchase went well."

Seong Yuna said with a worried tone.

[Even though I did it as a favor for you, are you sure it's okay?]

"Of course."

[If Dongwoo Precision goes bankrupt, won't you get blamed by your friend?]

She thinks all the money is from my friend. She would be shocked if she knew 100 billion won was mine.

"Ah! Since I asked for a favor, can I ask one more thing?"

[What is it?]

"Can I meet Chairman Yoo Jae-ho of Yuseong Group?"

The answer came a moment later.

[What? Why do you want to meet Chairman Yoo Jae-ho?]

"I have something important to discuss."

[What is it?]

If he knew what I wanted to talk about, he might not arrange the meeting.

"It's hard to explain right now, but it's important. I promise I won't do anything to harm Yuna."

Seong Yuna, who seemed to be thinking for a moment, sighed and said,

[Alright. I can't guarantee it, but I'll try.]

Even as the daughter of the next DA Financial Group chairman, arranging a meeting with Chairman Yoo Jae-ho wouldn't be easy.

"Thank you so much."

[If you're grateful, buy me a meal.]

I nodded quickly.

"Sure. What do you want to eat? I'll buy it for you."

* * *

Seong Yuna hung up the phone and muttered to herself.

"What are you planning to do?"

I was worried about what he would do after quitting his job, but his actions were unpredictable.

He bought subordinated bonds of Dongwoo Precision, which is in a trading halt, and now he wants to meet Chairman Yoo Jae-ho.

'What could be so important that he has to talk about?'

I'm starting to get curious.

Even in Korea, known as a tycoon republic, Yuseong Group stands out.

The total market capitalization of the group is about 700 trillion won, and Yuseong Electronics alone accounts for more than 20% of the KOSPI.

The chairman of this giant group is Yoo Jae-ho.

He is a tycoon among tycoons and stands at the pinnacle of the business world.

I've seen him a few times in my childhood, but we don't have a direct connection. However, I do have a way to contact him.

After thinking for a moment, Seong Yuna picked up her phone and called someone.

"It's me, sister."

* * *

Chairman Yoo Jae-ho is not someone you can easily meet just by saying you want to.

Domestic and international business leaders, investors, and even politicians would line up to meet him.

If I were to get a number and wait, I don't know how long it would take to meet him.

Being the granddaughter of DA Financial Group is a huge advantage.

DA Bank is one of the top three banks in Korea.

Banks, by their nature as financial institutions, can move tens or hundreds of times their market capitalization in funds.

Therefore, most companies try to maintain good relations with banks. But for a company like Yuseong Group, it's a different story.

Because Yuseong Electronics is not just any company.

Yuseong Electronics is the world leader in non-memory semiconductors and ranks among the top three in the overall semiconductor market.

There's even a saying that even if Korea goes bankrupt, Yuseong Electronics won't, but if Yuseong Electronics goes bankrupt, Korea will.

Of course, that's not literally true, but it shows how significant Yuseong Electronics is to the Korean industry.

They have over 170 trillion won in cash and are currently considering where to invest it.

If they need cash, they can just issue bonds.

Yuseong Electronics' corporate bonds are treated almost like government bonds, so they don't need to worry about the banks.

Fortunately, I know that Seong Yuna is close to Chairman Yoo Jae-ho's younger cousin. Maybe that could work.

As a backup plan, I prepared Plan B, but unexpectedly, the meeting was arranged.

[We're set to meet at 3 PM tomorrow.]

"Really?"

[Yes. I'll pick you up in Gangnam.]

After the call, I clenched my fists and shouted,

"Great!"

* * *

The next day.

I put on a suit that I had kept in my closet since quitting my job. After a short wait, Seong Yuna arrived in Gangnam in her car.

"Get in."

I looked at the car and said,

"Wow! What a nice car."

It was a Mercedes S-Class.

Seong Yuna smiled and said,

"I borrowed my mother's car."

She, too, had her hair neatly tied back and was dressed in a well-fitted suit.

After I got in, she drove toward Yuseong Town.

"By the way, don't you live in Gangnam, Miru?"

"Yes. I'm staying at a friend's place."

She pointed to the brand-name apartment complex behind me.

"Do you live there?"

I shook my head.

"No way."

Our home is a two-bedroom villa.

Not everyone who lives in Gangnam lives in a large apartment complex.

The car turned into the parking lot behind Yuseong Town. This entrance is only accessible to pre-registered vehicles.

As we entered the basement level 2, an employee was already waiting.

"Please follow me."

We followed the employee into the private elevator.

It is known that the chairman's office of Yuseong Group occupies the entire 46th floor of Building A.

As we walked down the hallway and entered the room, a spacious area appeared.

A man was standing there.

He was 47 years old, 175 cm tall.

His physique was average, but he looked well-maintained.

His face had prominent cheekbones and a round chin. He wore small-rimmed glasses and had a slight smile on his face.

In Korea, it's rare to find someone who doesn't recognize his face, even if they don't know the faces of celebrities.

His name is Yoo Jae-ho.

The chairman of Yuseong Group.

It's quite a surreal experience to meet someone I've only seen on TV in real life. Since I came back, I've had many such experiences.

Chairman Yoo Jae-ho greeted us warmly.

"Welcome. Did you have any trouble getting here?"

Perhaps because he was born into a tycoon family, his every gesture and expression exuded confidence.

Seong Yuna bowed and said,

"It's an honor to meet you, Chairman."

"I'm also glad to meet you. By the way, it's been a while since I saw Executive Yang Jae-eun. How is your mother?"

"She's doing well."

"Since this is a private meeting, please don't be nervous and feel free to talk."

Despite his words, Seong Yuna still seemed very tense. After all, even among tycoons, there are different levels.

Chairman Yoo Jae-ho turned his gaze to me.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Yoo Jae-ho."

Since I'm not a tycoon, I introduced myself casually.

"Hello, Chairman. I'm Han Miru."

Chairman Yoo Jae-ho's eyes lit up.

"I've heard about you. Thanks to you, we were able to detect the problems with the Premus Fund early and significantly reduce the company's losses. You did a great job."

"Thank you for your kind words."

After the introductions, we sat down, and a secretary brought out tea and coffee.

"I'm sorry, but I have another appointment, so I don't have much time. If I have to leave early, please understand."

"Of course. I'm already grateful for your time."

Given his responsibilities, his schedule is probably planned down to the minute. I owe it all to Seong Yuna that I can meet him at all.

"Your ability to spot the problems with the fund at a glance shows that you have a keen eye."

I humbly replied,

"Not really."

Chairman Yoo Jae-ho sipped his coffee and asked,

"What do you think about the future of Yuseong Electronics?"