"Pfft!"
Laughter rippled through the Busan Industry Summit as Park Minho took a bold swing, calling out the big bosses' suggestions as vague and potentially useless. Even Big Kim of AliKor and CEO Ren of KorTech, seated upfront, touched their noses, half-amused, half- sheepish. They knew their ideas—global expansion, more factories—were already in motion across Korea, offering little new.
Crafting a real, actionable plan was no easy feat. If it were, these tycoons would be government advisors, shaping every industry daily. Minho's audacity piqued their curiosity. Could this young upstart deliver where they hadn't?
Under their scrutiny, Minho spoke with calm conviction. "Expanding markets or building factories? That creates a major producer, not a powerhouse."
The room stirred, stunned. Was he insane? Denying that global manufacturing dominance equaled a powerhouse? To most, a production powerhouse meant hosting the world's factories, churning out goods en masse. What was Minho's angle? Eyes narrowed, intrigued.
"In my view," Minho continued, "a true powerhouse doesn't just mass-produce low-end goods across the industrial chain. It must also master high-end, sophisticated products and equipment."
CEO Ren of KorTech murmured, "Full industrial chain *and* high-end production?" A spark of realization hit him, his eyes widening. A powerhouse had to be unshakeable, immune to external shocks. That meant self-sufficiency across all production levels. Low-end output alone made you a big producer, but without high-end capabilities, you were still at others' mercy. Only by mastering advanced tech could Korea claim true strength.
"Young man," Ren said, voice heavy with respect, "you've nailed it. You've clarified the line between a major producer and a powerhouse. I'm humbled."
Ren's praise electrified the room. Minho became the focal point, drawing shocked stares. Not everyone grasped why Ren was so impressed, but his words—"I'm humbled"—carried weight. This kid had just schooled a titan. Admiration replaced skepticism in many eyes.
"Just a small insight," Minho said modestly, smiling. "Knowing the difference gives us a clear path. First, stick to current efforts to become a major producer—self-sufficient in low- and mid-tier goods. Then, tackle the high-end."
Applause broke out, warm and genuine. Minho's logic was crisp, his direction clear. He pressed on amid the claps. "To break into high-end manufacturing—advanced products and equipment—I propose a concept: Industry 4.0, or the fourth industrial revolution."
"Industry 4.0?" An elderly judge perked up, heart stirred by the term. He leaned forward, eager for more.
But Minho, as he'd done with triple play, dangled the idea and pivoted, leaving the judge fuming. "Let's set Industry 4.0 aside for now and focus on becoming a powerhouse. The key? Chips."
"Chips?" Curious murmurs spread. Tech bosses nodded thoughtfully. Since chips emerged, human progress had outpaced centuries of prior growth, rivaling the first industrial revolution's impact. Chips were undeniable catalysts.
"Chips have driven automation," Minho said. "They control machines, pushing us toward unmanned systems. In the future, automation will displace many workers, forcing them into new fields."
Eyes glinted—some with agreement, others with caution. Many saw this trend but deemed it distant, decades off. They'd prepped lightly, not urgently. Minho's words sharpened their focus.
"Others are sprinting, and we can't just chase their tracks," Minho said. "We'll never catch up that way. Even if we do, grinding down the gap bit by bit is grueling."
He raised a finger, voice firm. "When runners face obstacles, and the goal's a mountain ahead, the smart move isn't following their path. It's finding the shortest detour to the peak."
The room hung on his words. Xu Hua of Saehan Mobile, who'd tried to silence him, glowered. Big Kim and Ren watched intently. Minho's chip focus and Industry 4.0 tease weren't just bold—they were revolutionary. With the *Ultimate Imitation Emperor System* backing his phones and his foresight into tech's future, he was carving a path to the final speech slot. Hansung's name was rising, and Minho wasn't done shocking the summit.
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(end of this chapter)