Chapter 506: Meeting and Rejection
If we were to say what was the most eye-catching event at the beginning of 2005, the first thing that would come to mind would still be the Shunyang acquisition case that took place not long ago.
The second place in the hearts of the people is the Kaesong Industrial Park.
The Kaesong Industrial Park was planned during the time of Kim Min-jung, and some infrastructure construction was carried out.
After the South and North cooperated to build the first phase of the Kaesong Industrial Park, they also conducted some tests, and the results were unexpectedly good.
This industrial park is planned to be developed in three phases, with a total investment of US$250 million and a total area of 70 square kilometers.
The first phase of construction mainly includes the production of clothing, footwear and cosmetics.
The total area of this phase is only 3.3 million square meters, making it the smallest of the three phases.
If large companies want to see the results, they will naturally not enter the market first, but will allow these small and medium-sized enterprises to enter.
Before we knew it, this was Li Lianchang's third year as president, although his attitude towards the North remained the same as during the election campaign.
However, the relationship between the two sides is not worse than before, and the relationship between the two sides is still as close.
Both sides have a tacit understanding and have not caused any trouble in the past two years.
With Li Lianchang's help, almost all the prominent entrepreneurs on the Korean Peninsula participated in the meeting.
The meeting was held at the new city hall building in Seoul, and Li You was familiar with the place.
"The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the support plans provided by relevant companies for the Kaesong Industrial Park," said Lee Myung-hak, who was accompanying Lee Woo. "But I'm not sure why the president requested that this meeting be held at the Seoul City Hall."
"President Lee must have his own ideas," Li You chuckled and greeted the officials who saluted on the roadside, "Mayor, don't worry."
"By the way," Li You asked Li Mingxue in the elevator, "I've been paying attention to Cheonggyecheon these days. Real estate prices are gradually stabilizing. Although they are still not as good as those in Gangnam, they have a beautiful environment. This is all thanks to Mayor Li."
"I would also like to thank the president for his support," Li Mingxue lowered his head behind Li You.
"Then...how about I give Mayor Li a piece of real estate? It can also be considered as congratulations to Mayor Li on his success."
Li Mingxue's heart trembled, but he still had a smile on his face, "It's all up to the president to arrange."
"Then I'll have someone pick a good location," Li You chuckled, "How about the neighborhood closest to the city hall?"
“Although it is still under construction, the houses may be delivered by the end of the year.”
"I'm fine with that."
Seeing that Li Mingxue accepted everyone who came to him, he had already prepared himself mentally.
Although he himself became the mayor, many of his political achievements were achieved with the help of Li You.
Although Li You also benefited from this kind of help, the favor was not only a favor but also a threat.
After all, Li Mingxue had been Chen Yangzhe's secretary for more than 20 years. Although he was nominally helping Chen Yangzhe do some insignificant things, he did not have any rights.
But after coming into contact with various important figures along with Chen Yangzhe, Li Mingxue developed his cunningness very early on.
Not to mention that his current position as mayor has already involved a lot of exchange of interests.
Li Mingxue was very sure that he would always be useful to Li You, and that he would continue to climb up because of this usefulness.
There may come a day when it is of no use, and even when that day comes, you may face some not-so-good consequences.
But over the years, he has come into contact with all kinds of politicians. No matter how serious the crime is, he will only be sentenced to two years in prison, and then he will be able to enjoy various protections and amnesty.
This kind of imprisonment is actually no different from recuperating for two years, and it is even normal to be hospitalized due to illness.
Quan Douguan was originally sentenced to death and ended up spending a total of one year in prison.
"With this property," Li You looked at the blurry figure reflected in the elevator door, "it will be more convenient for Mayor Li to go to City Hall, and it will be more time to serve the citizens of Seoul."
"Yes," Li Mingxue thanked him with a smile, and even took the opportunity to make a request, "I just want to make a request to the president."
Li You raised his eyebrows slightly and turned to look at Li Mingxue, but because the elevator door was open, the two of them didn't say anything in such public.
After going to Li Mingxue's office first, Li Mingxue waited for Li You to sit down on the sofa before he sat down opposite Li You in a serious manner.
“I want my spouse to personally select the location of the property.”
Li Mingxue smiled and said, "She attaches great importance to the living environment and also proposed to buy a property near Cheonggyecheon. She must understand the president's intentions."
"That's good," Li You laughed, "In addition, I'm going to offer fifty properties around the city hall."
He looked at Li Mingxue and said, "How about giving Seoul City Hall some discounts when they come to Kinmen Real Estate to buy houses?"
Li Mingxue thought for a while and said, "I will pass this message down, but will this cause resentment among the citizens?"
"What do you mean by disgust?" Li You waved his hand. "If someone is disgusted, then he is not an ordinary citizen."
Li Mingxue was speechless.
The two chatted for a while about Seoul's next development project.
Before Cheonggyecheon was restored, it was a road with thousands of small vendors at both ends.
Because of the Cheonggyecheon restoration project, Li Mingxue first asked Li You to move them to the Dongdaemun Stadium acquired by Li You.
Li You also did this favor and profited from it.
But even thousands of small vendors don’t actually take up much space.
There are only so many small vendors in Seoul, and there aren't many new ones.
A lot of space is still vacant.
"Donggadaemun Design Plaza Plan," Li You looked at Li Mingxue's plan, his eyes lit up slightly.
The original name of Dongdaemun Stadium was Gyeongseong Stadium.
Later, with the liberation, the name was changed to Seoul Stadium.
Later, in order to welcome the Seoul Olympics, Seoul built the Jamsil Stadium, which became the ordinary Dongdaemun Stadium.
But this was once the largest arena in the East and a modern sports mecca on the Korean Peninsula, hosting various athletics, tennis, volleyball, swimming, table tennis and other competitions, including the Asian Games and the National Games, and also holding opening ceremonies for domestic professional football and professional baseball competitions.
Overall, it has historical value.
After reading this line, Li You looked at Li Mingxue with a strange look. He is indeed a man who wants to be the "CEO of Seoul". He has recognized that people on the Korean Peninsula eat this, and he really runs Seoul as a company.
"Now as time goes by, Dongdaemun Stadium has become old everywhere, and its life as an arena has come to an end. Fewer and fewer people come here."
Li Mingxue explained: "Even a few years ago, the empty stadium had become a parking lot. Although the vendors who came here from Cheonggyecheon have made it a little more lively, it is still a stadium that can accommodate 10,000 people, and the value it brings is still not enough."
"Dongdaemun Design Plaza is another large-scale project that I want to complete," Li Mingxue said frankly. "Unfortunately, I may not be able to complete this project during my term."
Li You understood. He glanced at Li Mingxue with a smile and said, "The mayor doesn't need to worry about this."
He flipped through two pages again, then casually handed it to Jeon Jae-joon who was sitting behind the sofa, and told him to keep it.
"After I go back, I will ask the Jinmen Real Estate team to study it." Li You stood up and looked at the clock hanging on the wall. "This matter needs more careful study."
"Yes." Li Mingxue opened the door for Li You.
"The president's meeting is about to begin," Li You patted Li Mingxue's shoulder, "it's time for us to go over there."
In a city full of high-rise buildings, Cheonggyecheon is truly unique.
Sunlight streamed through the windows of the municipal building into the huge conference room.
Most Korean entrepreneurs are dressed in neat suits, look relaxed, and their communication with each other is very purposeful.
Their eyes would occasionally glance at the door, waiting for the arrival of those important people.
The rows of tables and chairs behind them reflected the faint sunlight. Although there were exquisite name cards and open notebooks on the tables, their real topics would not be discussed in such a public occasion.
Many people use this place as a social venue, chatting quietly by the windows.
You can also enjoy the Cheonggyecheon Stream not far away, and marvel at the changes in surrounding property prices.
When the topic is about to start, quickly change it.
The other floor of the conference room is not as pleasant as it seems.
The air was filled with a faint aroma of coffee. The business representatives from the north were dressed simply, wearing dark suits that were almost identical to each other, and their ties were tied meticulously.
Before the arrival of President Li Mingxue and the three business giants, the two sides had no intention of communicating at all.
Their interactions were limited to polite nods and smiles. Not only did they not communicate with the Korean entrepreneurs across from them, but even conversations between them were very rare, and at most they would exchange glances from time to time.
In a corner of the room, a projector was quietly on standby. On the big screen was the cooperation plan that was about to be presented. The planning map of the industrial park was presented in three-dimensional form. This was also the future blueprint that both parties were preparing to draw together.
"Excuse me for waiting," Li Lianchang walked in after the door opened, followed closely by Li You and Zhu Mengyong, then the representative sent by Jin Jianying, and then their secretaries. "Everyone, please take a seat. The meeting will begin shortly."
Everyone looked calm, and there was no sign of jealousy between them like enemies meeting each other. This was not a simple business activity.
Speaking of profits, in fact, based on the current profit levels of the three major chaebols, the Kaesong Industrial Park does not bring them much profit.
But the incident has a much greater political significance.
Because time was tight, only two or three entrepreneurs who were close to the meeting were able to come forward and say hello before they sat down, but the others couldn't squeeze in.
Seeing that everyone was seated, Li Lianchang smiled and said, "You are all business elites of the entire Korean Peninsula. I believe that you must have your own ideas about this cause that promotes our common progress."
In short, the government departments will raise some key issues, but we still hope that the entrepreneurs from the north and south present here can speak actively.
At the meeting, Li Lianchang put forward three major principles, which were proposed for enterprises.
It was very concise and to the point. The first point was that existing agreements must be observed and carried out strictly in accordance with the contract. The second point was that economic affairs should not be affected by the political and military situation to avoid the destruction of the Kaesong Industrial Park, in which both sides had invested so much.
The last point is also inconspicuous but very important, which states that the Kaesong Industrial Park needs to be internationally competitive.
This is a very subtle point. After all, the international competitiveness of the Kaesong Industrial Park also represents a small part of the international competitiveness of both sides.
The three points proposed by Li Lianchang are mainly intended to minimize the possible losses that may occur to the companies in the future.
After all, no one can predict what the situation will be like in the future. The land rent of the Kaesong Industrial Park is also a large sum of money paid by the Korean Peninsula government, and the production materials and technologies required by the companies settled in the park have to be brought over from the country. The costs are almost entirely borne by the South, and the North only provides manpower, and these manpower are not free. They need to be paid.
Part of the company's final profit will be given to the North.
These Korean Peninsula companies agreed to cooperate because of their matchmaking, otherwise they would not do such a high-risk and low-profit business.
Officials from relevant departments of the Korean Peninsula, including the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Trade and Energy, and Small and Medium Enterprise Administration, also attended the meeting that day, but the feedback from the North was not clear, and a second meeting was needed.
In fact, at the beginning, the companies settled in the Kaesong Industrial Park wanted to send a delegation to visit the Kaesong Industrial Park, but the plan eventually fell through.
No one can tell what will happen.
It is no exaggeration to say that we are afraid of it like a tiger.
After the meeting, Li You met with Li Lianchang in a conference room.
Because of the Kaesong Industrial Park, Li You is urgently needed for the second phase of the project.
The industrial park of the second phase of the project is five million square meters and is mainly technology-intensive. The companies settled there mainly produce machinery, electrical appliances and electronic products.
As Future Electronics is the leader in electronic technology on the Korean Peninsula, Li Lianchang certainly hopes that they can move in.
"We won't send high-tech personnel," Li You shook his head. "That's for sure."
Li Lianchang sighed slightly. He went to see Li You after the meeting for this matter, but Li You refused very directly.
Future mobile phones are no longer just becoming popular on the Korean Peninsula, but are also hitting the entire Asian market. Although mobile phone companies in various countries say that future mobile phones have this or that disadvantage, most of them have begun researching them.
Apple phones also began to dominate the European and American markets.
Both sides represent the most advanced products such as mobile phones. Future Electronics may be even better. After all, Apple mobile phones currently use chips produced by Future Electronics, and they have not yet developed their own chips.
Of course he understood Li You's concerns.
Li You looked at his expression and felt amused.
As expected, people change. Li Lianchang's attitude before he came to power was completely different from what it is now.
At that time, the attitude towards the North was very tough, but after taking office, he probably realized that he couldn't be as tough as he wanted.
(End of this chapter)
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