CHAPTER 849

Yoo-hyun’s eyes darkened.

“Are you saying there was some kind of deal between the US and China?”

“Someone must have influenced China.”

“Was it the White House, like you said before?”

-I can’t tell you for sure, since it’s still a speculation. But it wasn’t the White House.

“That’s enough for me. Thank you.”

As he answered, Yoo-hyun’s mind flashed back to Paul Graham’s warning.

-Carl Icahn sees the River Alliance as a thorn in his side. If the River Alliance grows too threatening, he’ll try to crush it by moving the political circles and other countries.

Carl Icahn.

He was known as a ruthless corporate raider and a hidden power man in the US.

He had enough influence to control giant IT corporations like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, and he had plundered the capital of countless businesses.

His money was now flowing into the US political arena.

It was something that even Yoo-hyun, who had experienced the future, didn’t know.

Albert Whale replied.

-We’re the ones who should be grateful. You’ve helped us a lot, but we’ve put you in danger. We’re sorry.

“Don’t mention it. It was a big help.”

-Thank you for thinking that way. I wish you and Paul Graham good luck.

Paul Graham had a very friendly relationship with the CIA.

Albert Whale hung up the phone, wishing for Paul Graham’s recovery in his heart.

Click.

Yoo-hyun put down his phone and looked out the window.

The wind was cold, as if winter had returned, and the branches with buds were shaking violently.

He had a feeling that a terrible spring cold was coming.

After that day, Yoo-hyun received a few more calls from Albert Whale.

They contained more specific information about the US sanctions.

Yoo-hyun prepared as best as he could, but the next attack came as if they had expected it.

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

It was not a simple sanction, but a lawsuit.

It was equivalent to the Fair Trade Commission in Korea demanding compensation for unfair business practices.

The official reason was the monopoly of internet reviews.

The antitrust law was made to prevent the abuse of market-dominating entrepreneurs or the excessive concentration of economic power.

The FTC claimed that River’s reviews violated that law.

‘How does that make sense?’

Yoo-hyun was incredulous as he checked the article on the bench in the hospital corridor.

It was not about Korea, but the River’s US branch.

No matter how well River was doing in the US recently, it was absurd to say that it occupied more than half of the huge US market.

Tick.

Yoo-hyun examined the content carefully.

The FTC argued that River’s reviews accounted for more than 70 percent of the total reviews on the internet.

The reason for this outrageous figure?

They excluded the self-reviews of shopping malls like Amazon, and only compared the reviews of specialized review companies that did not sell directly.

It was nothing but a stretch to make an antitrust issue based on such biased evidence.

But the situation got worse when a manipulated email sent by Willie Thompson, the head of River’s US branch, to his employees was revealed.

A little later, in the lounge of Seoyeon Medical Center.

Jeong Da-hye, who was sitting across from Yoo-hyun, pointed out the core of the problem.

“The point of contention is the email content that says you’ll penalize the companies that don’t go through River’s reviews.”

“They even rated the companies.”

“It also specifies the exposure level by rating. This means that River can control the profits of the connected companies.”

River’s reviews had a one-click purchase button automatically linked with the price comparison.

Many visitors bought products through this button because they believed they could buy them at the lowest price and with convenience.

What if River tampered with this part?

It would not only betray the trust of the customers and the companies, but also violate the River’s principle of aiming for a fair hub.

Yoo-hyun nodded.

“This will give the FTC’s logic more strength.”

“Yes. It looks like River has deeply intervened in the market by using its monopolized reviews.”

“Hmm.”

Someone must have forged the email and dragged the FTC into it.

Even if Willie Thompson had a clear alibi, it would be hard to clear it up easily.

Jeong Da-hye seemed to guess Yoo-hyun’s worry and spoke first.

“Don’t worry too much. It’s just a result of misunderstandings and prejudices. The US branch can handle this on its own.”

“Willie can’t do it alone.”

“Willie is not that clumsy. He’s already hired the best lawyers and prepared for the response.”

“I know. I know, but it doesn’t seem like it’s going to end with this.”

-The FTC’s lawsuit is just the beginning. The Republicans are now moving the US federal prosecutors. If this comes to the surface, it will be a much bigger blow to River.

Albert Whale had decided that River had a problem while helping with the Huawei case, and shared the information with him beforehand.

According to him, the White House, which had been watching Yoo-hyun, had nothing to do with this.

It was the opposition party, the Republicans, who led this, and Carl Icahn was behind it.

It was also in line with Paul Graham’s warning.

‘It came too fast than I expected…’

Why now, of all times?

Maybe it was because Paul Graham had fallen, which was the trigger?

Now that he had lost the sturdy shield of Paul Graham, the only one who could protect the shaken employees was Yoo-hyun himself, the leader.

Jeong Da-hye looked at Yoo-hyun with a worried gaze and shook her head.

“Even so, you don’t have to deal with it all by yourself, Yoo-hyun.”

“I’m the one in charge.”

“I’m also a representative. And so are the heads of each branch, and the employees under them.”

“…”

“So trust me and let me handle it. Okay?”

Jeong Da-hye leaned forward and held Yoo-hyun’s hand.

Yoo-hyun looked into her sparkling eyes and put aside his worries and thoughts for a moment.

He had a sudden thought.

‘I should have proposed to her by now…’

He hadn’t even confessed to her, and he was getting comforted by her.

He sighed.

“Ah.”

“Is that a sigh or a smile?”

“Of course it’s a smile.”

Yoo-hyun awkwardly lifted the corners of his mouth, and Jeong Da-hye smiled sweetly.

“My man, you look handsome when you smile.”

Swoosh.

Her hand touched Yoo-hyun’s rough face.

He felt a warm sensation that made him feel good.

The more he felt it, the more the flame in his chest burned.

He would definitely solve this problem and make a wonderful proposal!

That was when Yoo-hyun made his resolution again.

Beep.

A message came in on the phone that was placed on the table.

-Yoo-hyun Han, CEO, the minister wants to meet you. Please contact us. Ministry of Industry Secretary’s Office.

‘The Ministry of Industry?’

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, or the Ministry of Industry for short, is a government agency that oversees the fields of commerce and trade.

It was in charge of foreign trade, such as signing the Korea-US and Korea-China FTA (Free Trade Agreement), and directly negotiated with China to resolve the antitrust dispute of Korean semiconductor companies.

It was not only large in scale, but also had a significant impact on the entire Korean industry.

Why would the head of such a ministry look for Yoo-hyun?

Jeong Da-hye, who saw the message with him, asked.

“Do you think it’s because of the lawsuit we got in the US?”

“I don’t know. It doesn’t seem like something the Ministry of Industry would handle.”

“River is the second-ranked internet company. Its valuation is on par with the top 10 domestic companies. There are many cases of domestic companies entering overseas through River, so they have a reason to step in.”

“I think it would be more appropriate for the Small and Medium Business Administration or the Ministry of Future Creation and Science to do that. We’re not an export company.”

The Ministry of Industry did have a role in dealing with disputes between the state and companies.

What was strange was that the Ministry of Industry’s jurisdiction was limited to large domestic export companies, such as shipbuilding, semiconductors, displays, and automobiles.

The problem of River, an IT venture company, was a different context.

But Jeong Da-hye’s opinion did not change.

“It’s also a part of diplomacy and trade in a broader sense. The National Intelligence Service also has a good view of River, so the government may have intervened.”

“Do you really think so?”

“Yes. I’m sure they’re trying to help. You’ve done a lot of work for the development of the Korean industry, Yoo-hyun.”

Squeeze.

Jeong Da-hye nodded her head as she held his hand.

They could not hear the purpose of the meeting from the Minister of Industry.

Even when they asked the secretary’s office, they only got the answer that they did not know the details.

Yoo-hyun did not want to waste his time, so he called someone who would know this situation well.

It was Jeong Woo-hyuk, the vice minister of the Ministry of Industry.

He had made a connection with Yoo-hyun when he hosted the G20.

He asked.

-Did the minister’s secretary’s office call you directly?

“Yes. That’s right.”

-Hmm, what is that guy up to?

He muttered casually, and his words were tinged with resentment towards the minister who took office earlier this year.

Yoo-hyun had a guess as to why.

‘The minister of the Ministry of Industry is a politician.’

The head of the Ministry of Industry, a giant ministry that leads the Korean economy, was usually occupied by experts called economic communicators.

The minister who was appointed this time, breaking the precedent, had little research experience and business management experience.

He was a typical parachutist that the practitioners hated, and he also proceeded with the work without knowing the real power, the vice minister, which made him look like he lacked communication.

Yoo-hyun pretended not to know and asked.

“What do you mean?”

-No, nothing. But it’s true that the Ministry of Industry has been investigating River. We’ve reported to the prime minister several times.

“The prime minister?”

-He’s our former minister. He told us to look into it because we were easy and comfortable.

“What did you look into?”

-The Japanese entry of Hansung and the overseas trends of River. He also asked about the relationship with Huawei.

“Ah…”

He seemed to have heard something from the National Intelligence Service.

It was a matter that even the CIA deputy director intervened, so it was understandable that the prime minister was interested.

-Well, anyway, since the prime minister is interested in River, the minister may have wanted to see it. He might be able to raise the name value of the Ministry of Industry by stepping in.

“I see. I understand.”

-I don’t know if that helped.

“It was a big help. Thank you.”

He wondered why the minister, who had no face, would try to help, but it turned out that the prime minister was involved.

There would be a lot to coordinate, but that was something he could talk about when he met him.

Yoo-hyun hung up the phone and decided to meet the minister of the Ministry of Industry.

The next day.

Yoo-hyun left the hospital, leaving Paul Graham, who was still unconscious, behind.

There were still reporters waiting in front of the hospital, so he had a hard time getting rid of them.

The distance was quite far because the office was located in Sejong City.

He barely arrived, but the minister was absent.

“I’m sorry. I told you in advance…”

The aide did not even know where the minister had gone, so he had nothing to say.

Yoo-hyun was dumbfounded, but he thought there must be a reason and waited.

After about an hour?

Kwak Jin-mo, the minister with droopy eyebrows, small eyes, and a somewhat irritable expression, walked briskly.