The Korea Food and Drug Administration (now the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety) was originally an external agency under the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
However, in the early 2010s, the KFDA was promoted to the MFDS and placed under the authority of the Prime Minister's Office, separating from the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
At its core, the MFDS is a regulatory body.
It exists to monitor and restrain pharmaceutical companies and food manufacturers—to ensure they are not selling products harmful to the public,and that they are not exaggerating the efficacy of their products.
In other words, its very reason for existence lies in its power of approval and regulation,used to supervise and restrain companies and business operators.
No matter how strongly one might emphasize the immense value of Luktic's technology,there was a high probability that the MFDS would stubbornly insist that all approval procedures must be carried out strictly according to principle.
After all, enforcing those "principles" was precisely why the MFDS existed.
From that perspective, the fact that not only the MFDS Vice Minister,but also the Vice Minister of Health and Welfareand a high-ranking official from the Prime Minister's Officewould be present at this meetingwas a positive sign.
Unlike the MFDS,the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Prime Minister's Officewere far more likely to recognize and respond to the tremendous value of Luktic's technology.
Before I realized it, the car Dong-sik was driving turned into the grounds of the Government Complex in Sejong City.
"…Wow. This place is enormous."
Dong-sik couldn't help but marvel at the massive complex spreading out before us.
He parked in front of Building 10, where the meeting was scheduled, and said to me:
"Do well in there, CEO. I'll be cheering for you."
"Ugh—stop calling me CEO when it's just the two of us."
"Haha, got it.Good luck, Si-woo."
"Thanks, Dong-sik."
After passing ID verification and security screening, I entered the building alone.
To be honest, I would have preferred to be accompanied by Dong-sikor by one of the Daesung Group specialists dispatched to support us.
But for reasons unknown,the government side had specifically requested a one-on-one meeting with the company's representative.
Following the official who guided me down the corridor,I soon came face to face with a wooden sliding door that emanated a heavy, dignified presence.
I was told that I could enter.
Swallowing hard as tension crept up my spine,I gripped the door handle.
To calm myself,I deliberately recalled the advice given to me by the Daesung Group specialist.
"In the current situation, the party holding real power is CEO Hyun Si-woo and Luktic.Never show fear first.State your demands confidently.And when necessary, actively use the pressure cards we discussed."
All right.
Let's do this.
Creak—click.
The door opened, revealing a spacious conference room.
On the far side of a long table sat three individualswho were unmistakably high-ranking officials.
Earlier
"Director, there's something we need to report regarding Hyun Si-woo…"
"Oh?Yes, I saw the news.They say he really cured Daesung Group's youngest son.How on earth did that happen?Wasn't it an illness modern medicine couldn't even attempt to treat?"
"Yes.It appears that Luktic, the company Hyun Si-woo manages, truly does possess world-class technology."
"Strange… very strange.The hacker arrested in Cambodia—the investigation suggests more and more that he was just a petty criminal who knew almost nothing, correct?"
"Yes.After three days and nights of intense interrogation, nothing significant emerged.Local investigators believe it's highly likely he was simply spreading ransomware for Bitcoin."
"Then what exactly was it?Why did a hacking attack of such terrifying scale occur simultaneously against all government agencies—and why did it route through Hyun Si-woo's home network?"
"It's a mystery.It's possible that the hacker in Cambodia was unknowingly acting as a pawn for some hostile force."
"Hm…Perhaps North Korean or Chinese code was hidden within the hacking tools he used.We should analyze that more closely."
"Yes, sir.But Director—today's report concerns Hyun Si-woo."
"Right. You said there was something to report.What is it?"
"Hyun Si-woo is scheduled to hold a meeting today at the Government Complex in Sejongwith the MFDS Vice Minister,the Vice Minister of Health and Welfare,and the Industrial Science and SME Policy Director from the Prime Minister's Office."
"…What?That's quite the lineup.Anyone would think they were receiving the head of a major conglomerate."
"From what we understand, Daesung Group arranged the meeting."
"…Ah.So after curing the chairman's youngest son, they've grown close."
"Yes. Based on all available intelligence, that appears to be the case."
"Doesn't that feel… unnatural?"
"Pardon?"
"Just months ago, after the nationwide hacking incident,we detained and investigated Hyun Si-woo as an ordinary young man.And now suddenly, his stature has changed this much…"
"It is certainly not typical."
"How did he acquire such extraordinary technology?Even a genius couldn't achieve that without prior knowledge.Wasn't his undergraduate major in the humanities?"
"Should we investigate that aspect more thoroughly?"
"Yes.No matter how I look at it, something feels off."
Inside the Conference Room
Three high-ranking officials were discussing Hyun Si-woo and Luktic.
"Based on recent reports and what Daesung Group has told us,it does seem that Luktic truly possesses remarkable technology."
"Then product approval should pass without much issue.Why, then, did they request a meeting involving officials from multiple ministries?"
"Hm…Most likely to request a drastic shortening of the approval process.If handled strictly by the book, it would take at least ten years."
Creak—click.
At that moment, the door opened,and a young man entered the room.
His unnaturally clean, pale skin stood out almost immediately.
That young man was Hyun Si-woo,CEO of the startup Luktic—the very person they had gathered to meet today.
"Ah, you must be CEO Hyun Si-woo.Please, have a seat."
They guided me to the sofa prepared opposite them.
I took my seat as instructed.
The arrangement of the room felt almost like an interview.
Three officials sat side by side behind the long table,with a single sofa placed opposite them—for me alone.
They introduced themselves.
Just as I'd been told through Daesung Group,they were the MFDS Vice Minister,the Vice Minister of Health and Welfare,and the Industrial Science and SME Policy Director from the Prime Minister's Office.
In terms of hierarchy,the Vice Minister of Health and Welfare ranked highest,followed by the MFDS Vice Minister,and then the policy director.
The first to speak was the MFDS Vice Minister.
"CEO Hyun.We were informed that you initially requested a meeting with officials from the MFDSregarding product approval procedures.Could you explain in more detail what you wished to discuss?"
The Vice Minister of Health and Welfare interrupted with a chuckle.
"Now, now—isn't that a bit too direct for someone who's come all this way?"
"Haha…I suppose you're right."
"CEO Hyun, the technology developed by Luktic has attracted enormous interest from our ministry as well.Treating severe burn scars and immune diseases so perfectly—this is technology that deserves global attention.It's rare for a company like this to emerge in our country.If commercialized, just imagine how many patients could benefit."
I bowed my head slightly.
"You're too kind.We will do our utmost to commercialize this technology as quickly as possibleso that patients who have long suffered can recover as soon as possible."
"Very reassuring to hear.What do you think, Director?"
At the question, the policy director from the Prime Minister's Office spoke up.
"We're hearing nothing but talk about Luktic these days.The technology's medical value is immense,and its economic value is just as staggering.We hope to see it commercialized quickly and exported overseas.If you're willing, CEO Hyun, the government is prepared to actively support the procedures required for overseas export."
It was clear.
The Vice Minister of Health and Welfare and the policy directorwere openly favorable toward Luktic.
That was only natural.
As they had just said,the technology Luktic possessed held overwhelming medical and economic value.
I decided it was time to get to the point.
"That is precisely why I requested this meeting.Luktic also hopes—very sincerely—that our technology can be commercialized as soon as possibleto help patients around the worldand ultimately contribute to the national economy."
The MFDS Vice Minister smiled faintly.
"Ah—so you're requesting a simplification of the approval process?"
"You could say that."
"Well, with such an outstanding domestic technology,of course the government should actively support it.Don't you agree, Vice Minister?"
"Yes, indeed.We'll make every effort to ensure the approval process proceeds as swiftly as possible.There's already the GIFT program—the Global Innovative Product Fast-Track Support System—designed for companies like Luktic.Are there any other requests you'd like to make?"
I suppressed my rising tension and spoke.
"There is one exception I would like applied during the approval process."
The MFDS Vice Minister's expression stiffened slightly.
"An exception…?In what regard?"
"In standard new-drug approval procedures,I understand that companies must submit full data from Phase 1, 2, and 3 clinical trials,along with complete disclosure of the manufacturing process, raw materials, and ingredients."
"Yes.You're correct.Even in cases of emergency approval, those requirements are fundamental and non-negotiable."
"Luktic would like to keep part of the manufacturing process, raw materials, and ingredients confidential."
Silence fell over the room.
Even the previously supportive Vice Minister of Health and Welfareand the policy directorshowed expressions that clearly said, That's a bit…
The MFDS Vice Minister spoke with visible displeasure.
"CEO Hyun, do you understand why approval procedures exist?They exist to thoroughly verify that a drug is truly effectiveand that it poses no harm to the human body.And yet you wish to keep the manufacturing process and ingredients secret?"
"Can't that be verified through clinical trials?"
"No.How can we administer a drug to humanswhen we don't even know its ingredients?That is absolutely unacceptable.Absolutely."
His tone was firm and unyielding.
The Vice Minister of Health and Welfare and the policy directorsat beside him, unable to say anything, their expressions troubled.
I pressed on.
"This is proprietary, irreplaceable technology that Luktic developed at great cost.We do not want it disclosed.Is there truly no way to apply an exception?"
"No."
The MFDS Vice Minister cut me off sharply.
It was about time.
Time to use the pressure card I had prepared.
In truth, he was simply doing his job as a regulator.His position was principled—and, strictly speaking, correct.
And honestly,I even felt a bit guilty pushing this far.
But if we followed the standard approval process,we would have to report every detail of our raw materials and manufacturing methods.
How could I possibly explaina chemical reaction involving the Luktic Basic Catalyst Stone,a process that completely defied modern scientific understanding?
There was no choice.
A negotiation tactic that involves applying overwhelming pressure earlyto suppress the opponent's momentum—
The Highball Strategy.
I steadied my racing heartand spoke as confidently as I could.
"It seems that major overseas pharmaceutical companiesand several foreign governmentshave also begun taking a keen interest in Luktic's technology."
I paused deliberately.
Then I delivered the line.
"If the government of the Republic of Koreais unable to accommodate the conditions I've requested,then I will take this technologyand leave for overseas."
At that moment,the pupils of the Vice Minister of Health and Welfareand the policy director from the Prime Minister's Officebegan to shake.