When Jinhyuk Park left the bathroom, the executives of DS Telecom, who had been waiting outside, hurried to surround him, their voices filled with concern.
“CEO, are you all right?”
“Sir, how could this happen… I’ve caught that fellow.”
“Your clothes are completely ruined. What should we do? Should I go get something wearable right now?”
Jinhyuk felt overwhelmed as they spoke one after another. He raised his hand to stop them and spoke, maintaining his composure.
“It’s fine. There isn’t much time left until the meeting, so let’s just proceed.”
“But your clothes are stained with eggs. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“The clothes aren’t important. The shareholders’ meeting is.”
The executives already knew that the conclusion was a foregone conclusion. That was why they were trying so hard to get on Jinhyuk’s good side. However, seeing Jinhyuk’s attitude that the meeting was more important than his appearance made everyone there see him in a new light.
“Now then. Let us go in.”
Jinhyuk spoke and turned, heading toward the grand auditorium where the extraordinary general meeting was to be held.
On the way to the auditorium, people caught glimpses of Jinhyuk. Since the incident that had just occurred had drawn everyone’s attention, they began to turn their eyes toward him the moment he appeared. They noticed the egg stains still lingering here and there, and the bits of eggshell still clinging to his hair.
Jinhyuk felt their stares as he entered the auditorium and headed toward the area where the representatives of the institutional investors were waiting. These were people with whom he had already discussed his support. However, he couldn’t afford to be negligent. The shares they held were greater than the combined shares of all the retail investors present.
After greeting the institutional representatives, Jinhyuk exchanged light conversation with other investors who were considered “big hands,” then sat in the seat prepared at the front, waiting for the meeting to begin.
“Director, are you all right?”
Junwoo Kim, who was assisting Jinhyuk closely, looked at his clothes, which were now drying and giving off a foul stench. The sharp smell stung the tip of his nose just by being near him, so he asked out of concern for how much Jinhyuk himself must be suffering.
However, Jinhyuk stroked the area where he had been hit as if the egg stains were a medal of honor.
“The smell is quite nasty, but it’s fine. It’s tolerable. I should be able to handle this much discomfort when I’m planning something big.”
At Jinhyuk’s words, Junwoo Kim, who hadn’t been able to contain his curiosity since earlier, looked around. Seeing everyone taking their seats following the announcement that the meeting was about to begin, Junwoo leaned in close to Jinhyuk and whispered.
“Does making the retail investors feel pity for you have a significant connection to this meeting?”
“Watch. There will be a connection.”
Junwoo couldn’t ask any further because Jinhyuk spoke about the upcoming situation rather than giving a detailed explanation. He simply sat quietly and waited for the meeting to start.
After some time had passed and everyone was seated, Gong Min-chan — who, unlike during the previous spin-off, was now the Vice President of DS Telecom — stepped forward as chairman to open the extraordinary general meeting for the appointment of Jinhyuk Park as CEO.
“Not bad.”
“Pardon?”
“That man is Vice President Gong, right?”
“Yes. He is the person who led DS’s telecommunications division alongside Suman Park for many years. Suman Park was merely the face of the company; it’s no exaggeration to say that man was the one who actually managed it.”
“Then he must have been interested in becoming the next CEO as well.”
Jinhyuk turned his head and looked at Junwoo Kim. Junwoo thought of those who had been highly likely to be nominated for CEO besides Jinhyuk. Confirming that Gong Min-chan was among them, he nodded.
“Yes. Vice President Gong was one of the figures being mentioned.”
“Then he must feel some regret.”
“It would be impossible to say he doesn’t. After all, the position was right before his eyes.”
“I see.”
Jinhyuk nodded and turned his gaze back to Gong Min-chan. As Gong spoke in a calm tone, a figure larger than expected appeared above his head.
**[5 billion]**
‘Since he was someone who had worked with Suman Park, I thought he would have an absurdly small amount over his head.’
However, Gong Min-chan was displaying a value much higher than Jinhyuk had anticipated.
“Chairman, I have an objection!”
“Please voice your opinions after we have finished the procedural proceedings.”
“We believe this extraordinary general meeting is flawed!”
“The appointment of a CEO should not just be handled by the board of directors; it should be conducted through a fair process!”
“Jinhyuk Park, who has been nominated for CEO, lacks the necessary qualifications!”
As soon as the announcement regarding the selection of the CEO was made, the voices of shareholders opposing Jinhyuk’s appointment could be heard from all over the hall. It seemed they were retail investors who had been opposing Jinhyuk’s appointment alongside the labor union for a while. They were shouting and blocking the proceedings regardless of the formal process.
Gong Min-chan, who was presiding as chairman, attempted to call security to drag them out due to the chaotic atmosphere. However, Jinhyuk, who was sitting in the front row, raised his hand to stop him.
Jinhyuk saw Gong Min-chan stop his instructions upon seeing him, and then he stood up from his seat. He walked forward slowly. His steps were slow and heavy, as if he wanted to announce his presence to everyone.
At the sight of Jinhyuk stepping forward, the grand auditorium, which had been in an uproar, fell silent in an instant. Every gaze shifted toward Jinhyuk. It was the moment the protagonist of the day appeared.
Stepping onto the stage at the front of the auditorium, Jinhyuk spoke quietly to Gong Min-chan.
“I will speak for a moment.”
Since nothing like this had ever happened at an extraordinary general meeting before, Gong Min-chan couldn’t decide what to do. However, Jinhyuk finished speaking, grabbed the microphone from its stand, and stood in the center of the stage.
Making sure everyone could see him, Jinhyuk slowly looked around. There appeared to be approximately two to three hundred people attending the meeting in the auditorium. While not every shareholder was present, it was enough of a number to say that every shareholder interested in DS Telecom was there.
Jinhyuk held the microphone and greeted them first.
“Hello. I don’t think there is anyone here who doesn’t know me. I am Jinhyuk Park, the candidate for CEO, which is the agenda of today’s meeting.”
“It hasn’t even been decided yet, so there’s a problem with you already calling yourself the CEO! Chairman, what are you doing not stopping this? Are you just going to leave it like this?”
The person who had caused the disturbance earlier shouted again, demanding that Jinhyuk be pulled down from the stage.
Jinhyuk slowly turned his head to look at Gong Min-chan. By merely giving him a look, he pinned Gong in place, and then he raised the microphone again and spoke.
“You are right. I haven’t officially become the CEO yet. Since calling myself the CEO could be problematic, I will accept that opinion.”
“Then get down! We didn’t come here to hear you talk!”
“Are you not even going to give me a moment to speak? Are you not considering the other shareholders? The shareholders have a right to hear whether I am a person suitable for DS Telecom.”
Jinhyuk finished speaking and let the microphone hang low. His posture was one of ‘go ahead and try talking again.’ Whether intimidated by Jinhyuk’s aura or not, the person who had stood up to cause a ruckus sat down quietly.
The rest of the shareholders began to listen intently to Jinhyuk’s words. They were intrigued by his statement that he would prove he was the right person for the CEO position. Once the vast auditorium had fallen silent, Jinhyuk picked up the microphone again and began to speak.
“I know that some of the shareholders here do not like me. However, I want to ask one thing. Why did you become a shareholder of DS Telecom? Why did you buy DS Telecom stock? Buying DS Telecom stock doesn’t make your cell phone bills free. There is only one reason. It’s the stock price that naturally rises as the company’s value increases. I believe you invested in DS Telecom because you hope your shares will trade at a higher price than what you paid for them. Of course, the annual dividends could be a reason, but compared to the rise in stock price, those dividends don’t mean much.”
The shareholders nodded in silent agreement. Just as Jinhyuk said, the reason they invested in DS Telecom was to make money.
Jinhyuk raised the microphone again.
“Then I’ll ask. What kind of person is most suitable for the position of CEO? Isn’t it the person who increases the company’s value? I’m sure no one here is unaware of the stock price trends of the companies I’ve been involved with. It’s been the talk of the town lately, after all.”
“Rising stock prices aren’t the only thing we want! We want transparency in management!” someone shouted from somewhere, opposing Jinhyuk’s words.
Jinhyuk looked in that direction and spoke with a smile.
“Is that so? Are you saying that rising stock prices were not your reason for investing? Then why did you invest? Did you have so much money you didn’t know what to do with it, so you decided to contribute to corporate health even if it meant throwing your money away? Let’s be honest. You are shareholders. The first value a shareholder holds is that the stock trades at a higher price than what they bought it for. Is it not? If anyone here disagrees, please raise your hand.”
No one could say anything to Jinhyuk’s words. This was because what he said wasn’t wrong.
“No one? That’s only normal. Making money is a shareholder’s greatest goal. Anyone who acts like they aren’t interested is either a liar or an agitator who has come in to cause trouble.”
At Jinhyuk’s words, people began to look around. It looked as if they were trying to find anyone who had been about to shout at Jinhyuk just moments ago. Confirming that the flow of the conversation had shifted completely in his favor, Jinhyuk walked to the front of the stage. Standing at the edge, he spoke into the microphone once more.
“In that sense, I don’t think there is anyone more deserving of the shareholders’ welcome than me. The person most likely to pull the value of the shares you hold to the highest point. Regardless of whether I am a member of the owner’s family or not, doesn’t my track record prove it? But look at this.”
Jinhyuk paused for a moment and pointed at his stained clothes. After waiting long enough for people to see the egg stains clearly, he continued.
“The criticism and the shower of eggs directed at me… what is the reason for trying to stop me from coming here? Is it really because there is someone more suitable than me, or is there another intention? Please conduct a fair vote. I will abide by the result of the ballots you cast.”
Jinhyuk finished speaking, turned around, and handed the microphone to Gong Min-chan. Then, he slowly stepped down from the stage.
*Clap, clap, clap.*
It was unclear who started it, but the sound of applause began to ring out.
“I believe in CEO Jinhyuk Park!”
“I think Jinhyuk Park is the most suitable for CEO!”
“Let’s get on with it! Let’s hold the vote quickly!”
“Who was that person opposing him earlier? Who came into this meeting like a plant?”
The applause and commotion did not stop until Jinhyuk returned to his seat.
“Good work, sir.”
“Was there really any ‘work’ to it? It was a natural progression.”
“Now I understand why you did what you did. The result was already decided, but if you hadn’t changed the atmosphere, it would have been difficult to silence those who were stirring up trouble. And even if you were appointed CEO, if they had followed through with legal procedures like injunctions, it would have been inconvenient for you to move afterward. But by changing the atmosphere like this, anyone who speaks out against you now becomes a plant.”
“Are you calling me ‘CEO’ already, Secretary Kim? You were calling me ‘Director’ just a moment ago.”
“You’ll be appointed right after the vote, so if anything, I’m calling you that late.”
“Hahaha. Right, right.”
Jinhyuk patted Junwoo Kim on the shoulder and leaned against his backrest, looking forward. After silencing the surroundings, Gong Min-chan immediately began the procedures for the appointment of the CEO. Those who had been obstructing the proceedings and criticizing Jinhyuk until a moment ago remained silent, burying their heads between their shoulders.
With no one interfering, the process went smoothly. Jinhyuk’s background and his accomplishments at DS were confirmed, followed by the report on the board’s reasons for recommendation. Immediately after, the voting began.
Although the outcome was already effectively decided, the vote was conducted fairly, even if it was a formality.
“Out of 80 million total shares, 60 million attended the meeting, meeting the quorum required for the proceedings. And out of 60 million shares, the approval for the new CEO, Jinhyuk Park… has passed with 50 million shares in favor, an approval rate of approximately 83%.”
*Clap, clap, clap, clap!*
Thunderous applause erupted. At the seemingly one-sided result, Jinhyuk ascended the stage once more. Gong Min-chan bowed to Jinhyuk and stepped aside. Jinhyuk stood before the microphone again and spoke.
“According to your support, I will strive to be a CEO who grows DS Telecom. I will be a CEO who achieves the maximum value for the shareholders as I mentioned earlier. Thank you.”
With a short greeting, he concluded his acceptance of the CEO appointment.
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.