The Inspector Is Getting Promoted! [EN]: Chapter 28

Prosecutor, You’re Going Places! – Episode 28

Special Investigation Department (2)

Crazy.

The moment I saw the text, I practically sprinted to Tae-hyun Sung.

“Assemblyman.”

“Yes?”

I presented my business card as he stopped and turned. “Since we seem to be the only two single guys at this party, how about we grab a drink sometime?”

“Sounds good.”

He reciprocated, handing me his card.

“Then, I’ll be going.”

I left Tae-hyun Sung and immediately saved his number.

Watching him walk away, I couldn’t help but chuckle wryly.

A president, huh?

Who would have thought a freshman lawmaker, elected seemingly by chance in a by-election, would become president in just 12 years?

He probably doesn’t even realize it himself yet.

Maybe his election to the National Assembly wasn’t just luck, but the influence of this network [a group of powerful individuals].

No, that’s not quite right.

If he’s destined to be president, then his election wasn’t just luck; he earned it through his own merits.

The president needs to be capable enough to handle the job.

I came to this party expecting to network, but I never imagined I’d meet someone like him.

To think I’d find such a significant connection in a place where I thought people would only be indulging in luxury with expensive liquor and women.

I came to the right place, indeed.

It’s been over 10 years. There’s still plenty of time.

I need to cultivate a relationship with Tae-hyun Sung.

A close relationship that no one else can even imagine.

And not just stop there, but make him *my* man.

If I can make the president my man, instead of the other way around, *that’s* how I can truly become a kingmaker.

The more I learn, the harder it is to resist the allure of this network, this cartel.

The scent of the poisoned chalice is irresistibly sweet.

And I took a deep breath and willingly swallowed it.

***

“Are you ready?”

“Yes. What about the apple boxes?”

“They’re prepared in the waiting room. I’ve also checked the amount, and everything is in order,” Jo Ara said with a confident smile.

“Good.”

She straightened my tie one last time and said, “By the way, you’re really something. You didn’t even bat an eye at receiving that much money.”

The money she’s referring to is the money I received from Lee Cheol-gi, the second son of the Joo-ok Group chairman.

One apple box, 1.2 billion won [approximately $900,000 USD].

In five minutes, I’m going to reveal at the press conference that I received money from him.

Of course, I’m not committing career suicide.

I plan to completely destroy Lee Cheol-gi by revealing this.

It’s a clear signal that I’ve joined forces with Vice Chairman Lee Cheol-yong, and a kind of reward for the ‘gift’ I received from him.

Even now, the succession is leaning towards the eldest son, Lee Cheol-yong, and the moment the slush fund [secret fund for illegal activities] is revealed and that it was given to the prosecutor, Lee Cheol-gi will be utterly ruined.

In fact, if you think about it, I’m just putting the finishing touches on something already completed.

The game has already tilted in Lee Cheol-yong’s favor.

However, the ending is always important.

Only the person who delivers the final blow is remembered.

Vice Chairman Lee Cheol-yong will remember me as the one who delivered the final blow that made him the head of the chaebol [large South Korean conglomerate] family.

And that’s not all.

This will be the starting point for a huge case as soon as I transfer to the Special Investigation Department.

In a situation where I’ve already made a name for myself as a star prosecutor, I secretly received a huge sum of 1.2 billion won, but I conscientiously announced it and returned the money to the national treasury?

In the eyes of the public, there couldn’t be a more conscientious and wonderful prosecutor.

It’s like giving wings to someone who’s already a star.

There’s nothing more to say.

After that, there will be plenty of people who will support me no matter what I do.

The public needs a hero.

The media will come forward and package everything, so I just have to sit still and wait for everything to be resolved.

I’m willing to accept the role of that hero.

In our office, Yoon Seol-ha is the only one who knows that I’ve sided with Lee Cheol-yong.

I could trust Jo Ara to some extent.

However, I decided not to tell her outright yet because I felt a considerable burden in telling her, who is a staff member and not an investigator.

There’s no need for too many people to know.

“Prosecutor, it’s time for you to go in now.”

“Yes, let’s go.”

I got up and headed to the press conference hall.

***

“…and by handing over this 1.2 billion won, I was asked to give instructions on special matters through illegal solicitation.”

Charrrrr.

The sound of camera shutters filled the air.

“This huge amount of money that you can only receive if you win the lottery. When I received this money, which is hard for ordinary people to even touch in their entire lives, I was shaken. I am also from such an ordinary background, and I am still an ordinary person.”

I shook my head and said firmly. “However, as a prosecutor who has to protect the framework of the rule of law in the Republic of Korea, and as the deputy chief prosecutor of the Special Investigation Department, I could never agree to such illegal activities.”

I framed Lee Cheol-gi and myself as a chaebol and an ordinary person, respectively, and portrayed Lee Cheol-gi as a ‘villain who tries to control power with money.’

There must be such a dramatic contrast to move the public’s hearts more deeply.

Those public’s hearts will tighten Vice Chairman Lee Cheol-gi’s neck.

“So I couldn’t use a single penny of this 1.2 billion won. As a prosecutor who lives on a salary paid with the blood and sweat of the people, I could never tolerate it. So I declare here.”

I clenched my fist and shouted forcefully.

“I will put everyone who makes illegal solicitations and bribes to me on the stand, and as an example, I will make Vice Chairman Lee Cheol-gi of Joo-ok Motors pay the price for his crimes.”

I held up the arrest warrant application that I had prepared.

It’s not a formally issued arrest warrant. It’s just a form filled out to apply for a warrant from the court.

However, the article will describe it as if an arrest warrant has already been issued, and Vice Chairman Lee Cheol-gi will automatically be branded as trash.

At this point, it’s safe to say that the game is over.

“I will work hard until the day justice is established in the Republic of Korea. Thank you.”

I bowed my head vigorously and left the press conference hall.

***

“You’ve worked hard.”

“You’re really a prosecutor. My heart was touched while listening.”

“Oh, really?”

I couldn’t help but stifle a laugh at the staff member’s words as he raised his thumb.

I kept thinking about what kind of expressions the public would make if they found out that I had made such an appeal for 1.2 billion won and then received 12 billion won [approximately $9 million USD] behind the scenes.

“Are you going straight back to the office?”

“I have to.”

As I was packing my things to head back to the office, my phone vibrated.

The caller was Vice Chairman Lee Cheol-yong.

“Go in first. I’ll go in after having a cigarette.”

“Yes.”

I sent Jo Ara ahead and went up to the rooftop alone to answer the phone.

“Yes, hello?”

-Prosecutor Choi, I received the gift well.

Vice Chairman Lee Cheol-yong’s voice was much brighter than when we met before.

-You said that the greater the expectation, the greater the joy, so I was wondering what kind of gift you would give me, but I was so touched that you would give me such an amazing gift.

“Oh, is it really that great? I just established justice as a prosecutor of the Republic of Korea.”

-Of course. You are indeed Prosecutor Choi Seo-joon, the best prosecutor in the Republic of Korea, hahaha!

He laughed heartily as if the pent-up frustration had vanished.

-We’re having a party right now. There was a risk that Vice Chairman Lee Cheol-gi would liquidate his affiliates and leave if things didn’t work out, but now it seems he’ll have to step down from management altogether.

“Don’t be too happy. Even with this case, it will be difficult for us to give him a prison sentence.”

It’s a bit bitter, but this was true.

Even though there is concrete evidence of 1.2 billion won, if he hires a special team of lawyers from the top 4 law firms, he will likely be sentenced to probation and get out.

-Oh, it’s okay. That level of impact is enough. I think I’ll be promoted to chairman within a month at the earliest, or three months at the latest.

“Congratulations in advance.”

-It’s all thanks to you, Prosecutor, hahaha!

Vice Chairman Lee Cheol-yong burst into a hearty laugh.

-Is there anything else you need? Whether it’s ammunition, luxury goods, or we even have an entertainment agency in our group. Pretty actresses, too…

“It’s okay. I’ll let you know when I need something.”

-I understand. Thank you for your hard work. Thank you for your decision.

“Let’s meet again.”

-Yes.

I hung up and immediately called Song Hyun-sung.

-Oh, Seo-joon. I just saw the news. Is that real?

“Is it real, or is it fake?”

-You crazy bastard. Wouldn’t it be better to take the 1.2 billion won and get fired?

Song Hyun-sung laughed, mixing a joke with seriousness.

“Forget it, you idiot. If I take it, you’ll try to cut off my head right away, right?”

-Hahaha, how did you know?

“Anyway, it’s just like you, being in the inspection department.”

I chuckled and got to the point.

“It’s not about anything else, I’m trying to dig into the chaebol and line connections.”

-Chaebol?

“Yeah. Do you have any way to dig in? The prosecution is also involved, so it’s dangerous to investigate directly, and I think I need to go in with one leg in.”

-This bastard, you’ve caught another one.

“It’s not a case, I’m just trying to dig in. If there’s anything to hit, I’ll leave the inspection in charge to you, so don’t worry.”

-That’s the best news I’ve heard in a while.

Song Hyun-sung thought for a moment and continued.

-I think a reporter would be better.

“A reporter?”

-Yeah. The PD [television producer] side comes out a little more specifically, but you could be in danger if things go wrong. At least the reporter already has some knowledge and will be able to communicate.

“Then can you introduce me to a reliable reporter? There are so many reporters that it’s hard for me to contact them on my own.”

-Um, I do have someone… I’ll look into it in detail and connect you. It will take some time to make sure they are reliable people.

“Okay, thanks.”

-Buy me a drink.

“I’ll buy you one soon.”

-Of course, you should. Go in.

A reporter, huh?

It’s certainly a good excuse to dig deep into something.

It’s not the end just because I’ve entered the network.

Now is the real beginning.

If I’m just thinking of playing with petty power, I don’t know, but from my point of view, who is looking at a high place, I have to survive and endure here to truly reach the position I want.

To do that, I need to figure out exactly how this network I’ve entered is structured.

That’s how I can step up one by one.

The easiest way to find out the structure of the network is to find out who the money sources of this network are and how that money flows in.

The first thing to do in the Special Investigation Department is not to handle cases, but to figure out the structure of this network.

This will be the first step towards becoming a true kingmaker.