"Are you talking about the Proton rocket that Russia uses as a space launch vehicle?"
"That's correct."
Unlike Seok-won, who remained unnervingly calm, Director Son Sang-bong couldn't hide his astonishment.
The Proton was an enormous rocket, capable of producing a staggering 1,061 tons of thrust from six clustered engines, capable of sending over six tons of cargo beyond Earth's atmosphere. It was no wonder Son Sang-bong was taken aback.
With a look of utter confusion on his face, he asked,
"What does Daehung Group intend to use a Proton rocket for…? More importantly, this is a strategic item strictly controlled by the Russian government. How on earth are you planning to bring it here?"
While Son Sang-bong leaned forward, speaking rapidly in a mix of shock and excitement, Seok-won responded with an unshakable, composed demeanor.
"We are not smuggling it in. We've received official approval from the Russian government to transport it, so you can rest assured."
"Are you saying the Russian government actually permitted the export of a rocket?"
Son Sang-bong asked again, disbelief written all over his face.
It was understandable—after all, the Proton rocket had originally been developed as a large intercontinental ballistic missile before being repurposed as a space launch vehicle. If needed, it could carry a warhead instead of a satellite, making it immediately weaponizable.
"Absolutely. Not only the Proton rocket, but also hundreds of thousands of pages of related technical documents, including the blueprints, will be transferred and brought here this time."
"Blueprints and technical documents… huh."
The more he heard, the more incredulous Son Sang-bong became, unable to close his mouth.
"Among the blueprints and technical documents we secured is the RD-275 engine, the core component of the Proton rocket."
"…!"
At that moment, Son Sang-bong recalled Dr. Kwak Yoon-shin complaining earlier about the difficulties in developing a new engine for the Hyunmoo-2 missile. He instinctively swallowed hard.
The RD-275 engine, capable of producing 177 tons of thrust, could solve a significant portion of the problems faced by the Hyunmoo-2 missile development team.
Of course, unlike the liquid-fueled Proton rocket, the long-range Hyunmoo-2 missile was being developed with solid fuel to improve readiness, so there were differences.
'But that's not too hard to adapt for solid fuel, so it's not a major problem.'
When the conversation had started, Son Sang-bong had only been polite and perfunctory. Now, his demeanor had completely changed—his eyes were shining, and his expression was earnest.
"Are you saying you'll share the blueprints and technical documents with us?"
Seok-won nodded clearly, without hesitation.
"That's correct. But there is one condition."
Son Sang-bong, who had been overjoyed for a moment, stiffened at Seok-won's words.
Then, inwardly, he thought, Of course. These are things you can hardly buy even with money; there's no way they'd give them away for free.
Though he was slightly anxious about what Seok-won might ask for, Son Sang-bong clenched his hands tightly on his lap.
If he could examine the actual Proton rocket and secure the related technical documents, it would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—not just to advance the Hyunmoo-2 missile development project, but to elevate the technological capabilities of the Defense Science Research Institute in one stroke.
So if Seok-won requested something difficult to fulfill, Son Sang-bong was prepared to appeal directly to Defense Minister Ahn Yong-guk and do whatever it took to meet the demand.
"Please, tell me what you want."
"I intend to develop a new space launch vehicle based on the Proton rocket, capable of sending up to 700 kilograms of payload beyond Earth's atmosphere. I'd like to collaborate with the Defense Science Research Institute."
Son Sang-bong, who had been wearing a resolute expression, was momentarily stunned by an idea he hadn't anticipated.
"You said… a space launch vehicle?"
Blinking in disbelief, he asked again, and Seok-won met his gaze, answering calmly,
"Yes. I've always been interested in space, and this time I want to realize that dream by establishing a private space company."
"A… private space company?"
"Yes. Our technology isn't yet advanced enough to handle complex large-scale rockets, and the risks are high. So I plan to start with developing a smaller space launch vehicle, like the one I mentioned earlier."
"Hmm."
"The reason we paid the Russian government a huge sum to acquire the Proton rocket and related technical documents is precisely for this purpose."
Son Sang-bong stared at him in disbelief.
Even in advanced countries like the United States, Russia, or Europe, space development is conducted with enormous government budgets and every cutting-edge technology available.
Now, Seok-won was proposing that a private entity undertake what typically only a nation could attempt, which was naturally shocking.
Moreover, Korea lacked the foundational technology and personnel, making it essentially a desert for space development—so skepticism was understandable.
Yet, as someone in a position to benefit, Son Sang-bong couldn't outright dismiss the idea. He cleared his throat and carefully offered a cautious response.
"Ahem. I admire your entrepreneurial spirit… but space development is far from simple. Establishing launch facilities and other infrastructure alone requires enormous funding. Even if all that is built, creating a reliable space launch vehicle would demand countless tests and failures. Honestly, it would be impossible for a private company to bear such astronomical costs."
The thought that the venture might go bankrupt before even launching a single rocket rose to his throat, but Son Sang-bong couldn't bring himself to voice it.
Yet Seok-won, crossing one leg leisurely, spoke calmly:
"I plan to establish a private space company with an initial capital of four billion dollars."
"F-Four billion dollars?!"
Son Sang-bong's eyes widened in shock as he shouted, while Seok-won smiled faintly and nodded.
The sheer magnitude of the sum—over 5.6 trillion won—was beyond comprehension, and it was natural for Son Sang-bong to gape in astonishment.
Even more staggering were Seok-won's next words, which left him momentarily speechless.
"Of course, this amount alone won't be enough to achieve our goals. That's why I plan to invest an additional comparable sum within three years."
"R-Really…?"
"Absolutely."
Son Sang-bong involuntarily swallowed hard.
Meanwhile, Seok-won murmured to himself as if it were nothing:
'With the dot-com bubble collapse looming, securing the investment won't be particularly difficult.'
Even just the Google investment he had made recently would cover the entire cost of this project and then some.
While Seok-won was mulling this over, Son Sang-bong felt his head spin at the sheer scale of it.
It was hard to believe that a private individual, not even a government, could realistically invest such an astronomical sum exceeding 11 trillion won.
After all, even the market capitalization of Hyunwoo Motors, one of Korea's leading companies, didn't reach five trillion won.
"This is… something else."
Confused over whether to believe such an absurd story, Son Sang-bong listened as Seok-won spoke in a low, measured voice:
"You probably know that the Soviet Union originally developed the Proton rocket as an ICBM, an intercontinental ballistic missile, but it turned out to be unsuitable as a weapon and was repurposed as a space launch vehicle."
"...."
"Because it was designed to launch multiple nuclear warheads simultaneously, it became a monstrous rocket capable of easily placing heavy payloads, even blocks of a space station, into orbit."
Watching Director Son Sang-bong quietly listening, Seok-won continued speaking.
"If you launch a vehicle beyond the atmosphere to place a satellite into orbit, it's considered a space launch vehicle. Re-enter the atmosphere and strike a target, and it becomes an intercontinental ballistic missile. In reality, it's just a thin line on paper."
"What exactly are you trying to say?"
Frowning, Son Sang-bong asked, and Seok-won interlaced his fingers and replied with a serious tone.
"If both sides collaborate, it would be possible to develop missile technology that easily exceeds a 1,000 km range without violating the Korea–US missile guidelines."
Seok-won spoke concisely and firmly.
"There's no downside for the Defense Science Research Institute, only potential benefits."
Back in 1978, when South Korea succeeded in developing the Baekgom missile with a 180 km range despite widespread expectations of failure, the U.S. government, alarmed by the achievement, imposed strict restrictions on ballistic missile development—these became known as the Korea–US missile guidelines.
As a result, South Korea was effectively restrained from producing missiles with a range exceeding 180 km or a warhead heavier than 500 kg.
Of course, the recent launch of North Korea's Taepodong-1, exceeding a 1,500 km range, changed the situation, but the constraints weren't officially lifted yet.
The secret development of the Hyunmoo-2 missile, which far exceeds the guidelines, was largely influenced by the Taepodong-1 shock.
After a brief silence, Son Sang-bong finally asked in a slightly subdued voice:
"What would Mr. Park gain by collaborating with us?"
Seok-won smiled faintly and replied:
"You'd gain the advantage of leveraging the technology know-how and skilled personnel that the Defense Science Research Institute has accumulated over many years."
Seeing Son Sang-bong narrow his brow, he added:
"As you well know, Director, those two assets aren't something you can easily obtain, no matter how much money you throw at it."
"...That's true."
Son Sang-bong nodded slightly in agreement and quickly ran calculations in his mind. While the specific details still needed discussion, from the institute's perspective, there was clearly no risk.
Honestly, he remained skeptical that a private entity could successfully launch a space rocket, regardless of funding.
But if they could actually examine the Proton rocket and acquire the related technical data, that alone would be a substantial gain.
This is an opportunity we absolutely cannot miss.
Still, to maintain an advantageous position in negotiations, Son Sang-bong showed no sign of excitement.
Adopting a deliberately nonchalant tone, he responded:
"As you said, technology know-how and skilled personnel are invaluable assets of the Defense Science Research Institute that money cannot buy. If we provide all of this, wouldn't we be doing all the work while you reap the benefits?"
Seok-won, holding a teacup in one hand, replied with composure and ease.
Seok-won raised his teacup leisurely with one hand and replied with a calm smile.
"Of course, Director. That's precisely why collaboration would be mutually beneficial. You provide the expertise and skilled personnel, and we provide the opportunity to work directly with cutting-edge rocket technology. Everyone gains."
Son Sang-bong remained silent for a moment, carefully weighing the statement. He understood that Seok-won's words were not just about courtesy—they outlined a strategic partnership with enormous potential.
"It's… an interesting proposition," Son Sang-bong said slowly, still cautious. "But I need to ensure that all protocols and security measures are strictly observed. We cannot compromise national security."
"Absolutely," Seok-won nodded without hesitation. "All operations will adhere to the highest security standards. Nothing will be handled irresponsibly. The goal is technological progress, not risk."
Son Sang-bong finally relaxed slightly, recognizing Seok-won's seriousness. He leaned back, steepling his fingers. "Then… let's continue discussing the specifics. If this works, it could mark a historic collaboration between private enterprise and the Defense Science Research Institute."
Seok-won's expression remained composed, but a faint gleam of excitement appeared in his eyes. "I look forward to it, Director. Together, we can reach heights no one in Korea has dared to attempt before"
"In fifteen days, thirty Russian researchers and engineers who retired from Khrunichev and Energomash are scheduled to arrive in South Korea."
"Wh-What?!"
Director Son Sang-bong jolted in his seat, startled, and asked urgently,
"Khrunichev… you mean the Russian state-owned company that manufactures the Proton rocket?"
"That's correct. And for reference, Energomash is the company that develops and produces the RD-275 engines."
"Are you seriously saying that researchers and engineers from both companies will be coming here?"
"Why would I lie to you, Director? Specifically, twenty PhD-level researchers and ten veteran engineers who have been building rockets for over twenty years."
Hearing this, Son Sang-bong could no longer contain himself. He discarded the carefully measured demeanor he had been maintaining and, with a flushed, excited expression, leaned forward eagerly.
"You must collaborate with us! If anyone opposes, I will do whatever it takes to convince them."
He fidgeted nervously, worried that Seok-won might withdraw his offer.
Finally, seeing Seok-won reveal his true intentions, he grinned widely, showing his teeth.
"Hahaha. Excellent. Then let's proceed as planned."