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Chapter 89: The Diagnostic Kit (6)

After ending the call, Young-Joon went to meet Professor Ban Du-Il. He looked full of concern, so Young-Joon purposely went in with a smile.

“How have you been?” asked Young-Joon.

“Yes, I have been well. I feel very energized right before my retirement thanks to you,” Ban Du-Il said. “Young-Joon, are you going to take the national CTO job?”

“I don’t really want to,” Young-Joon replied calmly.

Only then did Ban Du-Il's face brighten up. He let out a sigh of relief.

“Good. You have to be researching right now. The national CTO is an important position that supervises the entire direction of Korea’s research and development, but you can’t do research yourself. Your main job is to give research funding to universities and organizations and set up projects.”

“Yes.”

“I think other scientists can do that too, although I don’t know if they can do better. But you are the only one who can eradicate HIV and use stem cells to develop new treatments.”

“...”

“If you leave the forefront of this country’s research and development, everything will become that much slower.”

“I also still want to work as a frontline scientist.”

“Really?”

Ban Du-Il looked like he was glad to hear that.

“That’s such a relief. I was so anxious when I heard it,” Ban Du-Il said. “Young-Joon, I think this idea came from people who purely wanted to use your abilities for state business, but for more calculating people, I think they want to use your image for their approval rating.”

“Approval rating?”

“There’s only one year left until the election.”

“Oh.”

“The KCDC is trying to catch dengue fever in Jeju Island right now after you developed the diagnostic kit, right? They are trying to ride that wave and recruit a brilliant scientist to create an impression of a government that is experienced at leading science. Though, it will actually help them if you come.”

“I understand what you mean,” Young-Joon replied.

“Then you are going to decline, right?”

“After I see what they propose.”

Ban Du-Il’s grin disappeared immediately. He looked nervous.

Young-Joon smiled.

“It’s a good position and a great opportunity. I am going to see if there’s something I can use for the advancement of science. It won’t be too late to make a decision then.”

* * *

The minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, visited A-Bio to meet Young-Joon. Yoo Song-Mi brought out some mate tea and fruit.

“I’m honored to meet you, Mr. Ryu, the hottest scientist in the world right now.”

Minister Lee Yoon-Ho reached out. Young-Joon shook his hand.

“Nice to meet you. I am Ryu Young-Joon. Please, sit.”

Lee Yoon-Ho was an innocent-looking man with round facial features. He silently stared at Young-Joon for a moment.

“Mr. Ryu, I know what you are worrying about regarding the national CTO position.”

“What I am worrying about?”

“I think there are two things. The first is that you won’t be able to research and develop when you leave A-Gen and A-Bio. The other is whether this is a scheme related to the approval rating of this government, correct?”

“Yes.”

“The people who should know all know about the fight between you and Congressman Shim Sung-Yeol. So, I knew that you would worry about something like this.” Lee Yoon-Ho chuckled.

“Is that so?”

“Because of that, the people in the government who wanted to make you the poster boy for science disappeared. If not for that, people from several parties would have already come to you and bothered you.”

“Are you saying that this has nothing to do with that?”

“To be honest, it does. The approval rating of the Republican party has gone down a lot. Isn’t the KCDC trying to catch the spread of dengue fever in Jeju Island right now? There is an ulterior motive that is trying to create synergy with that and maintain the government.”

“Then I will not be the director of the Office of Strategic R&D Planning.”

“I knew you were going to decline, so at first, I also declined when I was ordered to recruit you, Mr. Ryu,” Lee Yoon-Ho said. “But on second thought, Mr. Ryu, it wasn’t. The more I thought about it, the more I knew that there was no one better to take the position than you. The government is doing their work right now; I’m saying that it’s not just flattery.”

“There are other people who can take that position. There are a lot of brilliant scientists in Korea.”

“There aren’t any creative scientists,” Lee Yoon-Ho said firmly. “Being the CTO of the country means that they will be providing the directions to all the research and development happening in this country. Simply put, it is a role that requires insight into future business prospects.”

“...”

“Who is the one changing the trend of medicine right now by pioneering a new field of stem cells and creating a next-generation hospital? Is there anyone in Korea who has a better insight into future business prospects than you, Mr. Ryu?”

Spit flew out of Lee Yoon-Ho’s mouth. He began gesturing with his hands and feet and passionately persuading Young-Joon.

“In less than a year, you succeeded in curing prominent diseases like glaucoma, Alzheimer’s, and pancreatic cancer. You even commercialized one of them. Please lead the country with your abilities, not a private enterprise like A-Gen. I am asking you to see things more nationally. If you are the captain, all domestic companies will follow.”

Lee Yoon-Ho was serious.

‘Recruiting Ryu Young-Joon is in the nation’s best interest.’

Young-Joon could show the best performance in the frontline of research, but he could do much bigger things as the director of the Office of Strategic R&D Planning. Lee Yoon-Ho seriously thought so.

“But I understand that the position of director doesn’t allow me to just lead the research direction in any way I want. Roughly speaking, I can’t just take that role and order SG Pharmaceuticals to make a drug in this way like I’m ordering a subordinate, right?”

“Do that!” Lee Yoon-Ho shouted confidently.

“Pardon?”

Ryu Young-Joon tilted his head like he was baffled.

“It is true that it was a position that didn't actually do the projects, but just hand them out. But it could be different if you do it, Mr. Ryu. Design experiments like you are doing now and order companies and universities to do them. You can consult them on their research.”

“...”

“And we have a four trillion won budget for the office. Use part of it as funding for your own research, Mr. Ryu.”

“That’s tax money, though. It is okay to give it to universities or research institutes that win project contests, but it’s embezzlement if I use it for research that I want to do.”

“It won't be. We are going to push to pass a new legislation so that you can research, Mr. Ryu.”

“Hm...”

Young-Joon crossed his arms and thought. It was a more special proposal than he had thought.

‘I didn’t think they would do this much to recruit me.’

Lee Yoon-Ho was staring at Young-Joon with a desperate and sincere look in his eyes.

“Sir?” Yoo Song-Mi knocked on the door and came in.

“I’m sorry to interrupt your meeting, but I have something to show you.”

She approached Young-Joon and whispered in his ear.

Young-Joon opened his email on his phone. The news article Yoo Song-Mi sent him popped up. It was about seven famous scientists in Korea declaring their support for the decision of the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy.

[Ryu Young-Joon, the CEO of A-Bio, has changed the trend of medicine in very innovative and creative ways, and he is presenting new research directions. If he only works at A-Bio, his abilities will only be limited to the pharmaceutical industry, but we think his potential can determine the entire industry of science in this country. If CEO Ryu becomes the director of the Office of Strategic R&D Planning and takes control of the direction of science in Korea, we believe that several companies, universities, and research institutes will faithfully follow his instructions and produce more effective results...]

Young-Joon quickly read through the entirety of the declaration.

[... And so, we believe that the decision of the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy was very wise, and to this, Kim Hyun-Taek, the Lab Director of Lab One of A-Gen, and six others strongly support Mr. Ryu Young-Joon’s appointment as the Director of the Office of Strategic R&D Planning.]

* * *

“Mr. Ryu Young-Joon? He is also the CEO of A-Bio, but he is also a director of A-Gen. He is a talented individual who is the closest to being the next CTO of our company. Of course, we don’t want to let him go,” said Kim Hyun-Taek during an interview.

His declaration had gathered a lot of attention as he had just given up the best scientist in the same company to the country. A lot of reporters had come to ask him more about his declaration of support, and he had accepted all of them.

“But let’s think more nationally. If Mr. Ryu becomes the CTO of A-Gen, A-Gen will grow rapidly. Then what? That’s it. It stops at A-Gen growing rapidly. But if Mr. Ryu becomes the director of that office, he will be able to grow the slice of the pie that this country’s scientific community has,” Kim Hyun-Taek said. “The position of A-Gen’s CTO can be filled by myself or any other lab directors. But Mr. Ryu is unique. Wouldn’t the world develop faster when everyone goes to a position that suits their capabilities? I want him to lead science in this entire country. I am introducing the best talent at our company to the government in hopes that he will leave a private corporation like A-Gen to us and lead this country.]

Kim Hyun-Taek’s interview caused quite the stir.

In addition, the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy announced a policy that would guarantee Young-Joon’s autonomy in research and connect him to various companies and universities along with the final authority on a four trillion won budget.

The public went wild.

—He is using his amazing ingenuity for the development of the country, not a private corporation.

The public began picturing a future where Young-Joon decided on the direction of the country’s science and policies and companies and universities followed along to develop rapidly.

And exactly three days after that, a coalition of about one hundred professors around the country issued a state of opposition with Professor Ban Du-Il leading the charge.

[A tiger should be left to roam the jungle.]

[The idea of the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy is excellent, but it is not realistic. It is not because CEO Ryu is not capable enough, but because of the structural limitations of the national industry. Firstly, the Ministry claimed that they will allow Doctor Ryu to conduct research within the department, but in what research institute? Will they hire new scientists in the ministry, where only administrative employees exist? This irresponsible proposal that was blurted out in the absence of any required infrastructure is just another typical hasty, Korean-style red tape. Secondly, the Ministry claimed that they will provide four trillion won of funding to Doctor Ryu, but given the reality that SG Electronic’s one-year research budget is thirteen trillion won and A-Gen’s one-year budget is seven trillion won, it raises the question whether that amount will be enough to realize Doctor’s Ryu’s potential. Thirdly...]

The public, who were excited by the dream of a national science industry led by Young-Joon, was met with opposition.

—Wow. What’s going to happen?

—So what is the condition where Ryu Young-Joon can realize his potential to the fullest?

—Korea’s administration is just garbage. Just stay at A-Bio, Doctor Ryu.

—He’s going to be leading the nation’s science and technology. Isn’t that obviously going to be more helpful than him leading A-Gen or A-Bio?

—That “leading” he is doing is just giving projects to private corporations. It’s just like, “Hey, develop an anticancer drug. I’ll give you a billion won.” But Doctor Ryu’s ingenuity isn’t about giving money; it’s about developing anticancer drugs himself.

—But can’t he just design the R&D and give orders to companies like SG Pharmaceuticals or A-Gen like he’s doing now? It’s basically just making companies in Korea into Ryu Young Joon’s hands and feet.

—Realistically, does that make sense? It is an infringement of corporate management rights. We’re not a dictatorship or something, and you want the government to commit illegal acts?

—Fxxk, I don’t know. It just seems like Doctor Ryu is too much of a genius that one job isn’t enough.

—Whatever happened to Professor Shin Jung-Ju, the main commentator of A-Bio? Hurry up and go on the rado and interpret this situation...

The public was as noisy as it could be. The public opinion was completely polarized. One media outlet opened a poll about Young-Joon’s appointment as the director of the Office of Strategic R&D Planning. The people in favor were slightly stronger at sixty-one percent supporting it.

Kim Hyun-Taek eased up a little bit. There were a lot more scientists against it than he had thought, but it seemed like there was a high possibility that Young-Joon would accept the position. He wouldn’t be able to disappoint the public easily as he was the national hero. Plus, he would actually be able to do a good job in that role. From then on, it didn’t matter if Kim Hyun-Taek took orders from Young-Joon because he wouldn’t be a competitor anymore; he would be a government employee that gave him projects.

And when everyone’s attention was drawn to this issue, Young-Joon held a press conference.

“Hello, my name is Ryu Young-Joon.”

He went up to the podium and grabbed the mic. Dozens of cameras flashed towards him.

“First of all, I would like to thank the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, who recommended me to such an important position,” Young-Joon said. “I have discussed this with a lot of different people. I also met with Doctor Kim Si-Yeon, the current Director of the Office of Strategic R&D Planning. She told me that she only has six months left in her term and that she would like me to be her successor.”

Click! Click!

The camera flashes did not stop.

Young-Joon said, “For that important position, I recommend the current CTO of A-Gen.”

The reporters’ eyes widened.

Kim Hyun-Taek screamed in his office.

Young-Joon said, “The Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy said that they would give me the authority to specifically direct industry-academic research. But that risks the government infringing on the research autonomy rights of industry and research. Additionally, it is not realistic because it is important that the instructions for research and development understand the experimenters’ expertise and proficiency. I know that well about the scientists at A-Gen, but not about other industries or academic institutions. It would only be counterproductive for me to direct their research.”

“...”

“But I know what the nation expects from me. Therefore, when the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy requests advice on policies, I promise to answer. I swear that I will use the knowledge or ideas I have for this country like a public good,” Young-Joon said. “Now, I will speak about the CTO of A-Gen I recommended. CTO Nicholas Kim is a world-renowned scientist who has studied in the industry for forty years. Not only is he an expert in biology, he is knowledgeable in physics as well. He has experience in leading a company larger than mine, and he has experience as a professor as well. I believe that he is someone who would be able to use my advice excellently, even if it is lacking, to advance science in Korea. Please have as much faith in him as you support me.”

With a smile, Young-Joon added, “And just in case, CTO Nicholas Kim is Korean. His Korean name is Kim Hyun-Sik.”