I hadn't stepped outside the hotel even once in the past week.
During that time, I thoroughly reviewed detailed profiles of numerous AIG employees. I was surprised to find that the company had far more outstanding talent than I had initially expected.
I sent the list I compiled over the week to Team Leader Han.
As soon as I sent the list, I received a call from Han, and his voice betrayed a hint of unease.
"I just checked the email."
"You'll see that I've clearly separated those marked for dismissal from those who are to remain."
"The number of people designated for layoff is too high. It's nearly 8,000."
"That just shows how many people were essentially stealing salaries. AIG still operates more like an American company, so the layoff process should be much easier than it would be in Korea."
"If we go by American standards, we could carry out the terminations as early as tomorrow."
"Then please proceed accordingly."
I'd handled countless restructuring operations during the IMF crisis.
So I knew exactly how to make the process efficient—and how to stabilize the unrest within the organization.
"Oh, and I also sent over the promotion list. Announce the promotions together with the salary increases."
"Is it really okay to announce raises at this time? We're receiving subsidies from the U.S. government, and raising salaries might not look good."
"Don't worry about the U.S. government. In the long run, retaining even one more capable person will be far more beneficial. I'll handle the negotiations with the government myself—just leave that to me."
"Understood. I'll proceed as you said."
After hanging up, I leaned back in my chair to rest for a moment.
For the past week, I'd been getting only two to three hours of sleep a day while reviewing the list of AIG employees.
My eyes didn't just sting—they felt like they might fall out. I wanted nothing more than to fall asleep without a single thought.
But I couldn't afford such luxury.
Not even five minutes after I'd leaned back in the chair, the director of planning showed up at the hotel.
"Vice Chairman, the board meeting has begun. If you leave now, you'll arrive just as the resolutions are being finalized."
"I assume not attending isn't an option?"
"If you skip today's board meeting, it's no different than declaring you'll never face the Chairman again in your life."
"Well, once Grandfather takes something to heart, he doesn't let go easily. I'll just wash up quickly and head out."
After rinsing off with cold water,
I changed into a black suit I had never worn before.
It was a custom-tailored luxury brand suit, yet it felt strangely awkward on me.
That awkwardness likely came from the way I was feeling inside.
"I'll escort you to the boardroom."
With the planning director's escort, I stepped into the boardroom.
At that very moment, a round of applause erupted.
I could already guess what that applause signified.
"Please welcome the new head of Taewoo Group, Chairman Kim Min-jae."
It meant I had become the chairman of Taewoo Group.
Maintaining a stoic expression, I walked slowly toward the head seat where my grandfather was sitting.
When I reached it, Grandfather slowly stood and extended his hand to me.
"Take good care of Taewoo Group. This old man will now enjoy some peace and rest in Vietnam."
"You've done an incredible job. I'll give my all to ensure the Taewoo Group you founded and nurtured continues to grow without pause."
"Vice Chairman Kim Min-jae—ah, I suppose I should now say Chairman Kim Min-jae—I trust you. It's time for this man of the old era to step aside."
Grandfather let go of my hand and exited the boardroom.
Everyone present stood up to bid him farewell on his final walk as chairman.
It looked as though they might follow him all the way out of the building, but Grandfather slammed the boardroom door behind him, a declaration that he was no longer the head of Taewoo Group.
It was up to me to make his final chapter a beautiful one.
Only if I made a strong start could I prove that his decision had been the right one.
"Thank you all for your confidence. As the new chairman of Taewoo Group, I will give it everything I have."
👏👏👏
The applause that had been directed at my grandfather now turned toward me.
But applause alone wouldn't establish my authority as chairman. True recognition would come only when I presented the vision I had in mind.
"First, we will begin restructuring the organization of Taewoo Group. I propose appointing President Park Man-deok to oversee all of our financial subsidiaries—Taewoo Securities, SAVE Investment, and AIG—and promote him to Vice Chairman. I'd like to put this motion to a vote."
"If it's President Park, I trust he can handle it."
"Wasn't he the one who made Taewoo Securities the top securities firm in Korea?"
"I fully support the Chairman's proposal!"
It was a decision welcomed by all members of the board.
Since everyone raised their hands in agreement, there was no need for any lengthy or complicated voting procedure.
But would the next item go as smoothly?
"Next, for the now-vacant President position at Taewoo Securities, I propose appointing Vice President Han Jung-hoon from SAVE Investment."
"Vice President Han Jung-hoon? That's not a name I recognize."
"I've heard he was with Taewoo Securities before moving to Wall Street."
"If it's the Chairman's choice, I'll trust and follow it."
"Hmm… Still, shouldn't we think this over a bit more?"
There were some dissenting voices, but far fewer than I'd expected.
It seemed the number of objections was minimal because it was my first day as chairman.
And the fact that Team Leader Han's actual rank was Vice President also played a role.
I'd been calling him "Team Leader Han" for years, but in reality, his title was Vice President. Appointing a Wall Street investment firm's Vice President as the head of Taewoo Securities wasn't exactly unreasonable.
"Executive Director Han Jung-hoon has been the real driving force behind SAVE Investment, achieving the highest returns on Wall Street. I can personally vouch for him as the most qualified candidate to lead Taewoo Securities. Are there any objections?"
"We'll follow the Chairman's decision."
"······."
The voices of opposition quickly died down.
Opposing someone I personally vouched for was no different than choosing to oppose me directly.
So even if they were against it internally, none of them dared to express it outwardly.
"Then I will officially appoint Vice President Han Jung-hoon as the new President of Taewoo Securities, and we'll hold the inauguration ceremony as soon as he returns to Korea."
Everyone stared at me in silence.
No one openly objected, but the mood in the room had clearly grown heavier.
They were probably thinking that I was planting my own people the moment I took the chairman's seat.
But wasn't that only natural?
It's far more efficient to work with someone I've already developed chemistry with and trust.
Of course, parachuting in someone incompetent would be a problem, but both President Park and Team Leader Han were unquestionably capable.
"That concludes today's board meeting. Thank you all for your time and efforts. I'll make sure we have more opportunities for productive discussions in the future."
👏👏👏
With the sound of applause behind me, I exited the boardroom.
They might believe they were evaluating me right now—
But in reality, I was the one evaluating them .
And I was already planning to reshuffle the board.
After leaving the boardroom, I naturally made my way to the Vice Chairman's office.
But when I arrived, I found the Director of Planning and the Chief Secretary busily tidying up my office.
"Why are you two doing this here?"
"Chairman! Why did you come here? You should be using the Chairman's office now."
"Oh! Right, the Vice Chairman's office is no longer mine."
Now that I had become Chairman, I had, of course, earned the right to use the Chairman's office.
Out of habit, I had simply come to the place I was most used to.
"We began preparing the Chairman's office for your use yesterday. If there's anything else you need, just say the word."
"Is that why you wouldn't let me in the Chairman's office before—because of the renovation work?"
"Yes, the Honorary Chairman ordered us not to say anything, so we had to proceed in secret. We apologize."
Apparently, the office had even been renovated to suit my tastes.
My grandfather had intended for me to become Chairman from the very beginning. No matter how much I resisted, that decision was never going to change.
"Where is the Honorary Chairman now? I'd like to see him first and pay my respects."
"He already left for the airport. By now, he's probably boarded the plane to Vietnam."
"He's already gone to Vietnam? His grandson just became Chairman—shouldn't he have at least given me a few words of encouragement?"
"He said that if he saw you face-to-face, you might try to reject the position again. So he chose to leave without seeing you."
Grandfather's decisiveness was nothing short of impressive.
He'd already made his escape to the airport.
"Seriously, Grandfather… Did he really think I'd go that far? I might grumble a little, but that's about it. But Chief Secretary, aren't you going to Vietnam with him?"
"I'm planning to leave for Vietnam next week. And there's something I'd like to request."
"If you're planning to hand in a resignation, I'll reject it. Please just stay by my grandfather's side."
"I have no intention of resigning. I just want to remain by the Honorary Chairman's side. But since the role of Chief Secretary isn't exactly suited for that, I'd like to step down from that position."
Grandfather needed someone to take care of him.
And there was no one more qualified than the Chief Secretary for that role. If I had to cling to his leg to convince him to stay, I would.
If all it took was a reassignment to retain him, I was more than willing to do that.
"Then I'll appoint you as an Honorary Advisor. I'll also increase your salary and you won't even need to come into the office regularly. Plus, unlike other contract executives, I'll give you a tenyear contract."
"Are you planning to squeeze ten more years of labor out of me?"
"If it were up to me, I'd offer you a twenty-year contract instead of ten. But I considered your age and scaled it down. If you're not satisfied, I can still draft up a twenty-year one."
"Ten years is more than enough. I'm just grateful. Now, shall we head up to the Chairman's office? We'll take care of the rest of your belongings and store them in the Secretariat."
I turned and looked toward the executive elevator.
The Vice Chairman's and Chairman's offices were only a floor apart.
They were so close that, when in a hurry, I used to take the stairs to reach the Chairman's office.
Yet, even though it was only one floor higher, it felt completely different.
"Chairman, the elevator is here."
With the secretary's guidance, I stepped into the elevator.
When I arrived, I quietly opened the door to the Chairman's office and stepped inside. In just a few short days, the room had been completely transformed—and I couldn't help but let out a dry chuckle.
"Grandfather really doesn't know my taste at all."
It was a rather stylishly decorated office.
But it was overly extravagant, with expensive artworks adorning every wall.
Not really my style—but I couldn't ignore my grandfather's thoughtfulness, so I'd just have to leave it as is.
While I was briefly taking in the new office…
A message came from Captain Kang.
[Sir, Team Leader Han has just arrived at the airport.]
"Really? Then let's catch up at your office for old time's sake."
[I'll see you there, sir.]
Finally, Team Leader Han had arrived back in Korea.
Leaving behind the still-unfamiliar Chairman's office, I made my way to Captain Kang's office—
A small, quiet place to celebrate my appointment with an impromptu inauguration party.