Golden Spoon Investment Portfolio - Chapter 472

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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472. Let’s work together with us!

“Are you referring to that Proton rocket Russia uses for space launches?”
“That’s correct.”

Unlike Seok-won, who remained utterly composed, Son Sang-bong couldn’t hide his bewilderment.
It was understandable—the Proton was a colossal rocket that bundled six engines to produce an astounding 1,061 tons of thrust, capable of hurling over six tons of cargo beyond the atmosphere.
Son Sang-bong, his mind visibly churning with confusion, asked his question.

“What does the Daeheung Group intend to use the Proton rocket for… or rather, how do you plan to obtain it when Russia strictly controls exports of such strategic materials?”

While Son Sang-bong leaned forward excitedly, firing questions like rapid gunfire, Seok-won maintained his characteristic composure throughout.

“We’re not smuggling it illegally—we’re bringing it with formal approval from the Russian government, so you can rest assured.”
“The Russian government actually approved the export of a rocket?”

Son Sang-bong’s expression screamed disbelief as he pressed for confirmation once more.
The Proton had originally been developed as a massive intercontinental ballistic missile before being repurposed as a space launch vehicle, which meant it could just as easily carry warheads instead of satellites and function as a weapon—his skepticism was entirely justified.

“Of course. Not only the Proton rocket itself, but we’re also acquiring and bringing back hundreds of thousands of pages of related technical documentation, including the blueprints.”
“The blueprints and technical data too… my goodness.”

The more he heard, the more unbelievable it sounded—Son Sang-bong’s jaw hung open in astonishment.

“Among the blueprints and technical materials we’ve secured, the RD-275 engine—the core component of the Proton rocket—is also included.”
“…!”

Suddenly, Son Sang-bong recalled how Dr. Kwak Yun-shin had just left after expressing the difficulties in developing a new engine for the Hyunwoo-2 missile, and he found himself swallowing hard involuntarily.
The RD-275 engine technology, which produced a formidable 177 tons of thrust, could resolve a substantial portion of the challenges the Hyunwoo-2 development team was facing.
Of course, unlike the Proton rocket that used liquid fuel, the Hyunwoo-2, as a long-range ballistic missile, was being developed with solid fuel to enhance responsiveness, so there were differences.

‘But that’s not difficult to adapt for solid fuel application—it’s not a major problem.’

Son Sang-bong, who had been merely courteous and perfunctory at the start of the conversation, now wore a completely transformed expression, his eyes gleaming with fervent intensity.

“You’re saying you’ll share the blueprints and technical materials with us?”

Rather than getting upset, Seok-won nodded his head decisively.

“That’s correct. However, there is one condition.”

Son Sang-bong, who had been half-delighted, suddenly stiffened at Seok-won’s next words.
Then he thought to himself, well, of course.
These were things difficult to obtain even with money, so there was no way he would simply hand them over without any compensation.
Though he was slightly worried about what the other party might demand, Son Sang-bong clenched his fists on his knees.
If he could disassemble an actual Proton rocket and secure the related technical documents, it would be an unprecedented opportunity to elevate the Defense Science Research Institute’s technological capabilities to the next level, not to mention accelerate the Hyunwoo 2 missile development project.
So if this was something he couldn’t do himself, he was prepared to grab Minister of National Defense An Yong-guk and do whatever it took to fulfill the request.

“Please tell me what you want.”
“I want to develop a new space launch vehicle based on the Proton rocket that can send up to 700 kilograms of cargo beyond the atmosphere. I’d like to cooperate with the Defense Science Research Institute.”

Son Sang-bong, who had been wearing a determined expression, was momentarily taken aback by something he had never anticipated.

“Did you say you’re going to build a space launch vehicle?”

As he blinked and asked again, Seok-won met his gaze and answered calmly.

“Yes. I’ve always had a strong interest in space, and this time I’m planning to establish a private space company to realize that dream.”
“A, a private space company?”
“Yes. Since we still lack the technological capability and the risks are too great to build complex large-scale rockets from the start, I’m planning to first focus on developing the smaller-scale space launch vehicle I mentioned earlier.”
“Hmm.”
“The reason I paid a substantial sum to the Russian government and acquired the Proton rocket and related technical documents was for this purpose.”

Son Sang-bong stared at him with bewildered eyes.
Space development was something that even advanced nations like the United States, Russia, and Europe pursued at the government level, pouring enormous budgets and cutting-edge technologies into it.
So hearing that a private entity wanted to undertake space development, which was only possible at the national level, was naturally disconcerting.
Moreover, unlike the United States or Russia, which had well-established foundational technologies and personnel, Korea was essentially a barren wasteland in space development, making him even more skeptical.
However, being in a position to receive something, he couldn’t openly say it was impossible, so Son Sang-bong cleared his throat while gauging the situation.

“Ahem. I certainly admire your spirit of challenge, but… space development is not such an easy undertaking. Not only would it require enormous funds just to establish the basic infrastructure including launch pads, but even after building all that, you would need to undergo countless tests and failures to complete a proper space launch vehicle. To be honest, it’s impossible for a private company to bear such astronomical costs.”

The words that they would go bankrupt before even launching a rocket once rose to his throat, but he couldn’t bring himself to voice them.
However, Seok-won crossed one leg with a relaxed gesture and spoke.

“I’m planning to invest 4 billion dollars as the initial capital when establishing the private space company.”
“F, four billion dollars!”

Son Sang-bong’s eyes widened as he cried out, and Seok-won nodded with a subtle smile playing at his lips.
Confronted with a sum beyond imagination, Son Sang-bong could only gape in astonishment.
It was an astronomical figure exceeding 5.6 trillion won in Korean currency—a reaction that was entirely justified.
Even this alone was staggering, but what followed from Seok-won left him utterly speechless.

“Of course, even this amount would fall short of achieving our desired objectives. That’s why I’m planning to invest an additional sum of that magnitude within three years.”
“You’re… truly serious about this…?”
“Absolutely.”

Son Sang-bong swallowed hard, almost involuntarily.
Meanwhile, I murmured to myself without concern.

‘With the dot-com bubble collapse—a major event—happening within that timeframe, securing investment capital won’t be particularly difficult.’

Google alone, which I’d invested in recently, would more than cover all the investment costs with plenty to spare.
As I was thinking this, Son Sang-bong felt his head spinning at the sheer scale that far exceeded his expectations.
He found it difficult to believe that a private individual—not even the government—could invest such an astronomical sum exceeding 11 trillion won.
It was only natural to be skeptical, given that even Hyunwoo Automobiles, one of Korea’s leading corporations, had a market capitalization under 5 trillion won.

“Well, now.”

Seok-won spoke to the bewildered Son Sang-bong in a measured tone, unsure whether to believe such an outlandish claim.

“The Proton rocket was originally designed by the Soviet Union to create ICBMs—intercontinental ballistic missiles—but certain aspects made it unsuitable as a weapon. You’re aware it was repurposed as a space launch vehicle, I presume.”
“…”
“Because it was engineered to deliver multiple nuclear warheads simultaneously, it became a monstrous rocket capable of effortlessly placing heavy cargo like space station modules into orbit.”

I continued, observing Son Sang-bong listening intently.

“If you pierce the atmosphere and place artificial satellites in space, it’s a space launch vehicle. If you re-enter the atmosphere and strike a target, it becomes an intercontinental ballistic missile. In essence, it’s just a matter of perspective.”
“What exactly are you trying to say?”

Son Sang-bong’s expression hardened as he asked, and I responded with interlaced fingers and a serious demeanor.

“If both sides cooperate, we could develop missile technology capable of easily exceeding a range of 1,000 kilometers without violating the Korea-U.S. Missile Guidelines.”

I stated it plainly and decisively.

“The Defense Science Research Institute would only benefit—there would be no loss.”

In 1978, when Korea succeeded in independently developing the White Bear missile with a range of 180 kilometers, defying everyone’s predictions of failure, the shocked U.S. government imposed strong pressure, establishing the Korea-U.S. Missile Guidelines that restricted ballistic missile development.
As a result, Korea’s hands and feet were bound—unable to produce missiles exceeding a range of 180 kilometers or a warhead weight of 500 kilograms.

‘Of course, the situation changed completely when North Korea launched the Taepodong-1 with a range exceeding 1,500 kilometers not long ago, but the shackles still haven’t been fully removed.’

The Defense Science Research Institute’s covert development of the Hyunwoo-2 missile—far exceeding the missile guidelines—was also heavily influenced by the shock of the Taepodong-1 launch.
Son Sang-bong, the director, remained silent for a moment with his lips pressed firmly together before speaking in a slightly subdued voice.

“What do you gain from cooperating with us, Chairman Park?”

Seok-won smiled faintly and replied.

“There’s the advantage of being able to utilize the technical expertise and skilled personnel that the Defense Science Research Institute has accumulated over many years.”

Observing Son Sang-bong’s furrowed brow, he continued.

“As you well know, Director, those two things I mentioned aren’t easily obtained no matter how much money you pour into them, are they?”
“…That’s true enough.”

Son Sang-bong nodded slightly in agreement, his mind rapidly calculating the implications.
While the specific details would need to be negotiated, from the Defense Science Research Institute’s perspective, there was certainly nothing to lose.
Honestly, no matter how much funding was invested, he remained skeptical about the private sector launching space rockets.
But if they could truly disassemble an actual Proton rocket and obtain the related technical data, that alone would be more than worthwhile.

‘This is an opportunity I absolutely must seize.’

However, to negotiate from an even more favorable position, Son Sang-bong revealed none of these thoughts.
Instead, he deliberately adopted an indifferent tone as he responded.

“As you say, technical expertise and skilled personnel are important assets of our Defense Science Research Institute that cannot be bought with money. If we provide all of that, wouldn’t we be the ones taking a loss?”

Seok-won picked up his teacup with one hand and replied with ease.

“In two weeks, thirty retired Russian researchers and engineers from Khrunichev and Energomash will be entering Korea.”
“Yes, what?!”

Son Sang-bong straightened up in shock, his voice urgent as he questioned him.

“Are you referring to Khrunichev, the Russian state-owned enterprise that manufactures Proton rockets?”
“Precisely. For your reference, Energomash is the company that develops and produces the RD-275 engine.”
“Are you truly saying that researchers and engineers from both companies will be coming?”
“Why would I lie to you, Director? To be specific, twenty doctorate-level researchers and ten veteran engineers with over twenty years of rocket manufacturing experience.”

Upon hearing this, Son Sang-bong could no longer contain himself. He abandoned the pretense he’d been carefully maintaining and thrust forward an eagerly flushed face.

“Please collaborate with us! If anyone opposes this, I’ll do whatever it takes to convince them.”

Son Sang-bong fidgeted anxiously, terrified that Seok-won might withdraw the proposal.
As he finally revealed his true intentions, I broke into a smile, flashing my teeth.

“Haha. Excellent. Then let’s proceed that way.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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