After the Divorce, I Found a Thousand Bitcoins - Chapter 93
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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I Got Divorced and Found a Thousand Bitcoins Episode 093
Minister Park Do-kyeong.
The current head of the Ministry of Science and ICT and a KAIST graduate who was genuinely passionate about the advancement of science and technology.
“Thank you for making time despite your busy schedule.”
“Not at all. I’ve been wanting to meet you anyway.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Since AI is currently the field that takes up the largest portion of my investments, I wanted to have a conversation with Minister Park.”
Park Do-kyeong smiled as he watched Kang Hyeon praise him.
“The AI field is developing at a different pace every day. Related industries are also growing daily. And thanks to Chairman Choi Kang-hyeon, our South Korea has been able to stand at the forefront of that development.”
“I haven’t done much.”
“That’s not true. Acquiring Nereid, which developed liquid immersion cooling, became a godsend for Korean companies, especially S Group.”
Park Do-kyeong naturally shifted the conversation’s focus to Nereid.
“Liquid immersion cooling technology can dramatically reduce server heat and maintenance costs that have been pointed out as problems. Moreover, it’s a core technology that can solve problems arising from improved component performance.”
These were topics Kang Hyeon had studied as well.
Nereid’s liquid immersion cooling technology didn’t just reduce server maintenance costs.
That technology made it possible to solve most hardware side effects that arose as the AI industry grew.
Especially, it was evaluated as a groundbreaking technology for mostly solving heat problems that occurred as computational power increased.
‘He knows all those aspects.’
Although he had been out of active duty for a long time, Park Do-kyeong seemed to still be studying related fields.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to easily discuss such topics.
“I think Chairman Choi’s help was significant in Nereid and S Group joining hands with such technology.”
“I only coordinated in the middle; essentially, the two companies matched their conditions.”
“Haha! You’re being too modest. Anyway, what I’d like to request is that you pay attention to security so that liquid immersion cooling technology doesn’t leak to foreign countries.”
As the AI industry grew, security-related problems were occurring daily.
‘NextMove also collapsed due to security issues.’
The NextMove incident, where he had made significant profits through short selling, was a prime example.
NextMove collapsed due to that incident where the CEO tried to leak technology to China.
What Minister Park Do-kyeong was discussing was exactly that kind of issue.
“We’re paying thorough attention to security.”
“I’m sure you are. However, the moment technology goes abroad and core components are manufactured overseas, the risk increases.”
“Are you referring to India?”
“Yes. I received a report that factories of core companies including S Group are being built in the Special Economic Zone being constructed in India.”
“That’s correct. After all, it’s freer in terms of labor costs and regulatory aspects.”
“South Korea certainly has strong regulations. We’ll need to consider tax aspects as well.”
“Yes. Labor costs are also high, so considering unit costs, it’s inefficient to go through all processes domestically.”
“Then how about processing at least the core technology domestically?”
Keeping only core technology facilities domestically was something S Group was already doing.
In S Group’s case, HBM manufacturing was done overseas, but core processes like yield were handled domestically.
This also had the effect of preventing technological leaks.
At the national level, just having that technology domestically raises international status.
“Are you saying to relocate Nereid’s research institute domestically?”
“I’m making a request.”
“If that happens, the United States won’t stay quiet. Given President Goldwin’s personality, he might directly strike South Korea.”
In the past, the United States would have ended with just expressing dissatisfaction to South Korea, an ally.
But if it’s the United States led by Goldwin, he could make strong moves like tariffs or even US military withdrawal.
“That’s why I’m requesting to move not all of Nereid, but the research institute and Dr. Nathan, Nereid’s core researcher, to South Korea.”
Dr. Nathan.
He was essentially a genius known for creating Nereid’s new technology.
Just having him in South Korea would bring great benefits at the national level.
Above all, they could gain the title of technologies that Nathan would invent in the future being developed in South Korea.
The problem was that there was no merit for Kang Hyeon in moving Nathan domestically.
“As you know, Nathan is American. Just researching in the United States gives him psychological stability. Moreover, since the United States already has all the facilities for Nathan, it’s realistically difficult to move to South Korea.”
“That’s why our Ministry of Science and ICT plans to spare no support for Nereid.”
“Could I hear specifically what kind of support you’re referring to?”
“First, we’ll lease you land to build R&D facilities for 10 years.”
It was an exceptional condition.
But the conditions prepared by the Ministry of Science and ICT were just beginning.
“And we’ll help with quick issuance of E-3 visas so that Dr. Nathan and key researchers can stay domestically.”
He also mentioned other conditions in succession.
“We’ll also support research and development costs and discuss with the President to significantly reduce domestic taxes on Nereid.”
Considerable conditions.
However, the fact that these were undocumented conditions was concerning.
“If you could document those parts, I’ll consider it positively. And please specify exactly what the Government of South Korea wants.”
“What we want is for Nereid to collaborate with domestic companies first on new technologies they develop.”
“Like this liquid immersion cooling?”
“Yes. Only then can our country establish a foundation to lead the global AI industry.”
He concluded the meeting after hearing Minister Park Do-kyeong’s words filled with strong determination.
* * *
In the AI industry, South Korea belonged to the leading group.
According to data released by Tortus Media, the United States and China belonged to superpowers, while South Korea ranked after Singapore and the United Kingdom.
South Korea ranked high in the AI industry, but there were many barriers to surpass the superpowers.
‘The Government of South Korea probably wants to overcome these aspects too.’
That’s why they wanted to bring Nathan domestically by offering favorable conditions.
‘Nathan gained tremendous fame from developing this liquid immersion cooling.’
Though eccentric and unpredictable, he was currently one of the hottest researchers in the world.
‘Even so, there’s no reason to necessarily bring Nathan domestically.’
The conditions the Government of South Korea proposed would be nice to receive, but they weren’t worth ruining relations with Goldwin.
Knowing this, Kang Hyeon set the condition of perfect documentation.
This would also be burdensome for the government, so it wasn’t an issue that could be decided in a short time.
‘I need to watch the situation a bit more. In the meantime, who knows what crazy thing Goldwin might do.’
Kang Hyeon was anxious about Goldwin in many ways.
* * *
Kang Hyeon began preparing to leave for India.
This trip to India would be the first under the name KH Holdings, renamed from KH Recovery.
And there were some changes in the accompanying party.
“This is Team Manager Kim Chul-jin, who will be responsible for the Chairman’s security from now on.”
“I’m Kim Chul-jin. I will prioritize the Chairman’s safety above all and do my utmost in security.”
Kang Hyeon’s eyes widened as he looked at Kim Chul-jin, who was a head taller than his own 183cm.
He wasn’t just tall; his entire body was large.
His forearms were the size of an average woman’s waist, and his neck looked like a log.
Especially his cauliflower ears gave off an intimidating presence just by looking at them.
“Team Manager Kim, I look forward to working with you.”
“Yes!”
The newly joined Team Manager Kim Chul-jin and his security team would participate in the India trip.
Along with Executive Director Choi and Kim Ha-ryul, who had moved to the secretarial team.
A total of seven people formed one team heading to India.
* * *
At the hotel in India, Ya Hua Lin Zi-hui was looking out the window with an annoyed expression.
“India’s air is really the worst. Just being here makes me feel like my skin is getting ruined.”
“Are you worried about your skin?”
“Don’t worry. If you fail this mission, your already unsightly skin will be peeled off.”
Lin Zahui’s face hardened at the words of the slender man.
“I… I understand.”
“Good. Don’t forget. The fact that someone like you is just a disposable item.”
“…Yes.”
“Let’s confirm the mission again.”
The man turned around and pulled out a whiteboard that was placed to one side.
On it were photos of Choi Kang-hyeon and people related to him.
“In this mission, we’ll present direct conditions to Choi Kang-hyeon while simultaneously entering a diversionary operation to steal technology from the United States.”
The man’s hand pointed to a number next to Choi Kang-hyeon’s photo.
“The amount we’re offering him is 2 billion yuan. It’s the amount to legitimately secure the core technology of immersion cooling.”
400 billion won in Korean currency.
They planned to offer the enormous sum of 286.8 million dollars.
It showed how much the Chinese government wanted the immersion cooling technology.
“If we fail, an agent who has infiltrated Nereid will steal the technology and return home. In other words, the core of this operation is to present conditions to Choi Kang-hyeon, and if rejected, immediately proceed with technology theft.”
“I still don’t understand. Can’t we just steal the technology directly?”
“The higher-ups want to secure the technology through legitimate means for the sake of national prestige. Above all, since when did a component get to voice opinions on decisions from above?”
“I’m… I’m sorry.”
A chilly atmosphere filled the room.
Then Lin Zahui asked.
“If Choi Kang-hyeon rejects the conditions, what happens to him?”
The man’s gaze turned to Choi Kang-hyeon’s photo.
The man’s eyes grew cold as he stared at the photo.
“It would be good to cut the bud before it grows bigger.”
He turned around.
“Eliminate him.”
* * *
Kang Hyeon’s private jet landed at India Airport.
Taking a prepared car, Kang Hyeon headed straight to the hotel.
“You have a lunch appointment with Prime Minister Lao Sing tomorrow at 1 PM.”
“Will we be dining together as well?”
“Yes. He’s allocated about 2 hours of time.”
Being able to spend 2 hours with the Prime Minister was an extremely exceptional condition.
When they first met, they were together for only about 5 minutes, but now they could spend hours together.
It meant that Prime Minister Lao Sing had come to trust Kang Hyeon that much.
“After that, you need to attend the Project Navodyaya groundbreaking ceremony immediately.”
The most important event of this trip to India was the Project Navodyaya groundbreaking ceremony.
This event was to be attended by India’s Prime Minister Lao Sing, as well as key figures from Saseng, Hyeonhwa, and SS Group.
‘Now it’s really beginning.’
His heart raced at the event that would mark the start of the large-scale project proceeding in India.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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