A few days later, at Jeju International Airport.
Just yesterday, a fierce snowstorm had been raging, but now the sky was clear as if it had all been a lie. A Gulfstream IV private jet, painted in a two-tone of Norton Blue and Crystal White, landed and rolled to a stop at one side of the apron.
Moments later, the stairway lowered, and Seok-won appeared, wearing a cashmere coat, with Han Ji-sung at his side.
"We'll wait here, then," Andrea said with a bright smile. She had recently replaced Bella—who resigned after an unexpected pregnancy—as the new stewardess of the private jet.
Where Bella had been a radiant blonde beauty, Andrea was a striking Latina with bold, attractive features.
Receiving Andrea's send-off, Seok-won slipped on his Ray-Ban sunglasses and descended the stairway with an easy stride.
Waiting ahead was Jeong Gyu-cheol, the president of Bluehole Construction, who bowed at a sharp ninety degrees.
"Welcome, Chairman."
Acknowledging the greeting with a slight nod of his chin, Seok-won watched as Jeong gestured toward a large Mercedes sedan parked nearby.
"The car is ready. Please, this way."
Following Jeong, Seok-won slid into the backseat of the sedan as the driver held the door open for him.
Before long, the Mercedes glided smoothly away from the apron, carrying the group out of the airport grounds and heading straight toward Moseulpo.
As they drove, Seok-won removed his Ray-Bans and tucked them into his inner pocket before speaking.
"How's the mood among the residents?"
Jeong, seated beside him, hesitated briefly before answering in a cautious tone.
"To be honest, not very good."
Turning his head, Seok-won studied Jeong's tense expression and replied in a calm voice.
"Sounds like the reaction is pretty negative."
"It's not just the residents who've been leasing defence ministry land for farming. The fishermen are also strongly opposed, fearing the fishing grounds will be ruined."
"Even though we promised them fair compensation?"
A shadow crossed over President Jung Gyu-cheol's face at Seok-won's question.
"They fear losing their livelihoods more than they value a lump-sum payout. The thought of being uprooted from the land and seas that have sustained them makes them oppose us even more strongly."
Seok-won gave a small nod, as though he fully understood.
"It's only natural. This all came on them so suddenly. From their perspective, they're confused and angry."
Jung glanced at Seok-won's expression before speaking in a heavy tone.
"Exactly as you say, the residents' emotions are raw. And with civic groups concerned about environmental damage also planning to attend, the atmosphere at the briefing could easily turn hostile."
Seok-won caught the implication and turned his gaze toward him.
"So, you're suggesting I reconsider attending today's briefing."
"Yes, sir. That seems wisest. Right now, everyone is too agitated. It may be better to wait until tempers cool a little before meeting them."
Though Jung tried his best to persuade him, Seok-won remained calm.
"And what if the opposition doesn't fade even with time?"
"Well…"
Jung faltered, unable to answer readily. Seok-won continued in an even voice.
"If things go smoothly and we persuade them, all the better. But if resistance persists, not only will the construction schedule be endlessly delayed, but outsiders will seize the chance to interfere, making everything even more complicated."
In large-scale development projects, once disputes with locals erupted, it was common for opportunistic middlemen, environmental groups, and even politicians eager to win local votes to pile in—turning matters into a tangled mess.
Having spent his life in construction, Jung Gyu-cheol knew better than anyone that failing to resolve things cleanly at the outset meant nothing but trouble ahead.
"That's why it's best to settle this in the beginning, before the pests start swarming. And to do that, it has to be me—the final decision-maker—who speaks to them directly. Only then will the residents be willing to listen."
"You're not wrong, but still…"
Jung trailed off hesitantly.
But the very fact that Seok-won had come all the way to Jeju already showed how firm his resolve was. Unable to dissuade him further, Jung gave a reluctant nod.
"If that is truly your wish, then I understand."
Even as he spoke, he silently prayed that today's briefing would end without any major commotion.
***
Since it was the weekend and there were no classes, the auditorium at Daejeong Middle School was packed with local residents of all ages.
At the entrance, members of civic groups held placards that read, "Stop large-scale development that destroys the environment!" and "Immediately halt reckless development that damages historical sites!" while collecting signatures from residents who opposed the project.
"Bluehole Group must immediately stop development that harms the environment and destroys the local community!"
"Stop it! Stop it!"
"What do you mean, building a space launch site that threatens residents' safety?"
"Stop it! Stop it!"
The mood among the residents was already sour, and seeing the civic groups waving placards and shouting only made things worse. Hwang Seok-jin, dressed in a gray suit, couldn't help but let out a groan.
What he really wanted was to call the police and have them all dragged out for illegal assembly and obstructing business.
But he knew that would only make the situation spiral further out of control, so he forced himself to leave them alone.
Trying to ignore it, Hwang Seok-jin walked into the auditorium and approached Yang Hyeong-du, who was standing beside the large white projection screen set up on stage, talking with the other staff.
"Is everything ready?"
"Yes. We've checked the promotional video and the slides, and all security personnel are in place just in case."
"The chairman himself is coming, so we can't afford even the slightest mistake. Double-check to make sure nothing has been overlooked."
"Yes, sir. Understood."
Just then, a staff member came rushing over, panting for breath.
"Manager! The chairman has just arrived!"
"Really?"
When Hwang Seok-jin turned his head toward the main entrance, he saw Seok-won entering the auditorium with President Jeong Gyu-cheol.
Hastily buttoning his jacket, Hwang Seok-jin hurried forward and bent at the waist in a deep bow.
"Welcome, sir."
President Jeong Gyu-cheol introduced him to Seok-won.
"This is Manager Hwang Seok-jin from our Jeju office."
"I see. You've been working hard," Seok-won said, extending one hand.
Bowing his head, Hwang Seok-jin received the handshake with both hands, then politely gestured toward the inside of the auditorium.
"We've prepared a VIP seat for you on the stage. Please, this way."
Seok-won gave a slight nod and followed Hwang Seok-jin.
"Ch–Chairman!"
"It's an honor!"
At Seok-won's appearance, the staff all stiffened nervously and bowed deeply.
Seok-won shook hands with each of the Bluehole Construction and Blue Sky employees who had been working hard down in Jeju, offering words of encouragement, before taking his seat at the long table on stage beside President Jeong Gyu-cheol.
Before long, residents and civic group members trickled in, quickly filling nearly all the chairs that had been set out in the auditorium.
Originally, the session had been meant only for residents, but civic groups had insisted they had a right to be heard as well, and in the end, their admission had to be allowed.
Rolling up his sleeves and checking the watch on his wrist, Hwang Seok-jin approached Seok-won at the VIP table and spoke carefully.
"We're ready to begin the briefing."
"Since the seats are nearly full, it looks like everyone who's coming is here. Go ahead."
"Yes, sir."
With approval granted, Manager Hwang Seok-jin walked over to the podium on the side of the stage. He tapped the installed microphone lightly with his finger to test it, then brought his mouth close.
"Since the scheduled time has arrived, we will now begin the briefing on the construction of the Moseulpo Space Center."
The murmuring in the hall subsided, and all eyes turned toward the stage.
The expressions were stiff, their arms crossed, and their sharp, hostile gazes left little room for warmth.
He had expected this, but facing the burning stares directly, Hwang suddenly felt a wave of unease—would he really be able to get through this briefing without incident?
He let out a short sigh inwardly and steadied his voice.
"First, we will begin with the promotional video we've prepared."
At his hand signal, Yang Hyeong-do dimmed the auditorium lights.
In the sudden darkness, the projector flickered to life, casting the video onto the white screen.
Please, let this video work…
The film had been specially produced to persuade the residents, commissioned from an advertising firm at considerable cost.
For three full minutes, the carefully polished promotional video played. The hall, however, was filled only with silence.
When it ended, not even the customary applause followed.
"…Next, an executive from Blue Sky will address you."
In place of President Choi Tae-ho, who was away on an important business trip to the U.S., the company's general director, Woo Byung-ho—a rather heavyset, middle-aged man—stepped forward.
After a brief self-introduction, he launched into a presentation with the aid of slides.
"…Once the land acquisition and resident consent procedures are complete, we plan to invest 1.2 trillion won between next year and 2004. On a site spanning 900,000 pyeong, we will construct a launch pad, a rocket assembly building, a control center, and, in addition, a 3,300-meter runway along with port facilities. Then, in 2005, right here in Moseulpo, we aim to launch a domestically developed space vehicle carrying a satellite of our own making."
As the massive rendering of the space center and the staggering investment figures appeared on the screen, even the previously stone-faced audience could not hold back murmurs of surprise.
"Did he just say 1.2 trillion? How many zeroes is that supposed to be?"
"Seeing it like this… it does look pretty impressive."
"Hmph. So what? It's not like we'll be able to keep living here!"
"Exactly. Once they start filling the sea, all the fish will scatter. What's left for us then?"
As the flood of comments erupted from all directions, Woo Byung-ho, Blue Sky's General Director, remained composed, carefully explaining the overall plans for the space center's construction, the safety measures, and its long-term operations in clear, accessible terms.
"…And as has already been reported by the media, the northeastern site that includes the Altteureu Airfield's underground bunkers, the aircraft hangars, and the Seotal Oreum 4·3 historical site will be permanently preserved and developed into a historical park. That concludes my presentation."
The moment the lights came back on, several hands shot up at once.
"There's the Mosulpo Port right nearby—if one of your rockets misfires and crashes into our homes, who's going to take responsibility?"
"Plenty of us have been farming on leased Defense Ministry land for decades. And now you just take our land overnight? How are we supposed to survive?"
"What about the reclamation? The basalt shoreline will be destroyed, the ocean polluted—what measures do you have for that?"
"Every time you launch a rocket, residents will have to evacuate, and we won't even be able to go out to sea for work. Who's going to pay for those losses?"
Shouts from the louder voices quickly filled the auditorium, the atmosphere turning chaotic as criticism and fears poured out.
Until now, Woo Byung-ho had kept his composure, but faced with this sudden onslaught of hostility, he began dabbing the sweat dripping down his face with a handkerchief despite the winter chill, his posture shrinking visibly.
Seeing this, Seok-won immediately rose from his seat and strode forward with firm steps.
"Ch-chairman?" CEO Jung Gyu-chul called out nervously from behind, but Seok-won ignored him, giving Woo Byung-ho a reassuring pat on the back.
"From here on, I'll take the questions."
At Seok-won's subtle nod to step aside, Woo Byung-ho let out a sigh of relief and quickly yielded the stage.
Seok-won stepped up to the podium, then gave a slight glance toward moderator Hwang Seok-jin.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please keep calm so we can proceed smoothly."
Startled by the suddenly heated atmosphere, Hwang hastily grabbed the microphone and tried to settle the crowd.
"From this point forward, Chairman Park Seok-won of Bluehole Group will personally address your questions!"
Gasps and murmurs swept through the audience, stunned that the chairman himself was now standing at the podium.
"What? That young man is the chairman?"
"He doesn't look any older than my youngest brother."
"Is he really the chairman?"
The blunt remarks flew freely through the crowd. It would have been easy to take offense, but Seok-won didn't so much as twitch an eyebrow. Instead, he met their eyes with a calm, confident gaze.
"I understand that this sudden announcement about building a space center must have left many of you feeling unsettled and anxious. That's why I, as the final decision-maker, have come here myself—to speak with you directly and ease your concerns."
"Is… is he serious?"
"Looks like it."
Clearly, no one had expected the chairman to appear in person. The murmurs died down, hesitation spreading through the room.
Seok-won gripped the podium with both hands, standing tall as he spoke.
"Before I take your questions, let me say this first: it may be impossible to satisfy everyone completely. But I give you my word that we will do everything in our power to ensure that no residents suffer harm because of the space center's construction."
His voice, full of strength and charisma, boomed through the microphone and filled the auditorium.
Overwhelmed by his presence, the attendees fell silent. One by one, every gaze locked onto the man standing at the podium.