The Inspector Is Getting Promoted! [EN]: Chapter 121

Reversal (1)

–Former Prosecutor Shin Yong-ho from the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office Confesses His Conscience

A large, unexpected caption appeared on the TV screen.

Why Shin Yong-ho?

At first, I thought something had happened to him.

However, as I watched his live press conference on TV, I couldn’t help but be taken aback.

–Not long after I resigned as a prosecutor, I received a bribe of 1 billion won [approximately $750,000 USD] from the Juok Group.

Han Ji-yu, who was holding my hand tightly beside me, carefully asked with surprised eyes,

“Isn’t that person your friend, Oppa?” [Oppa is a Korean term used by a younger woman to address an older brother or close male friend.]

“Yes.”

This feels ominous.

–I would like to clarify that the bribery allegations against Chief Prosecutor Choi Seo-jun of the Special Investigation Department of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, who is at the center of the controversy, were received by me, not Choi Seo-jun, and that the bribe was not in the 10 billion won range, but a 1 billion won bribe.

He began to make an unimaginable statement.

–Frankly speaking, does it make sense for a large conglomerate like the Juok Group to give a bribe of 10 billion won to a prosecutor who has been in Seoul for less than a year after being in the provinces?

What is he talking about?

–When I was in the Economic Crime Investigation Department, I became connected with the Juok Group, and while exchanging stories frequently, I received 1 billion won from a person named Gong Hyo-ik in the secretary’s office. The condition was to expose the corruption charges against former Vice Chairman Lee Cheol-gi.

At that moment, a reporter raised his hand and asked.

–Then, the case that Chief Prosecutor Choi Seo-jun exposed is…….

–I provided the source for the case that Chief Prosecutor Choi Seo-jun exposed. My friend had no idea that I had received money from the Juok Group. I just suggested that he expose this case, and of course, Chief Prosecutor Choi Seo-jun, who had just come to Seoul and was trying to make a name for himself, had no reason to refuse my offer, as it was a huge case.

It was different from the truth.

However, thanks to his fluent speech, it was a very plausible scenario.

No, it would be difficult for someone who didn’t know the situation to doubt it.

–In the process, former Vice Chairman Lee Cheol-gi learned that Prosecutor Choi Seo-jun was preparing to expose a case that would ruin him, and when he tried to stop it with a bribe, the incorruptible Prosecutor Choi Seo-jun brought the money as it was and held a press conference.

He continued to speak.

And Shin Yong-ho realized that I knew things that I hadn’t told him.

I don’t know how the situation turned out like this, but in an instant, my innocence was being proven.

My innocence that wasn’t innocent.

Shin Yong-ho neatly summarized the circumstances of the case and appealed again.

–I would like to reiterate that Choi Seo-jun at that time was a rookie prosecutor who had just come to Seoul. It doesn’t make sense for a *chaebol* [large South Korean business conglomerate] group to give money to such a rookie. They gave me a bribe to safely expose it through me, who already had a position and connections. But I was frustrated because they were slandering Chief Prosecutor Choi Seo-jun with allegations of receiving a 10 billion won bribe to harm him, so I stood here.

He added as if it were obvious.

–If that weren’t the case, how could I, who was fired from being a prosecutor, be working proudly in the legal team of the Juok Group now?

Then, a reporter with a familiar back of the head raised his hand and asked.

Reporter Park Su-hyung of WK Daily.

The fact that he asked a question meant that it was planned in advance.

–Then why didn’t Prosecutor Choi Seo-jun reveal the truth?

–He must have done it to protect me.

He said with a guilty expression.

–When I used him and hid the money, I secretly went through the laundering process so that his traces would be revealed. He must have realized this later, but he couldn’t bring himself to reveal the truth to protect me, thinking of me as a friend. But if things continued like this, it seemed like Choi Seo-jun would be completely scapegoated…….

Shin Yong-ho bowed his head with a miserable expression.

–I thought I should reveal the truth to protect him, even if it meant betraying my friendship with this trashy friend, because he sacrificed himself for the sake of that loyalty. If I didn’t step in, it seemed like he was going to go all the way down for the sake of that loyalty.

This time, reporter Lim Yu-na from Politics No. 1 raised her hand and asked.

–Then, Chief Prosecutor Choi Seo-jun has nothing to do with the bribery?

Shin Yong-ho answered without the slightest hesitation.

–Yes. I did all the bribery, and Chief Prosecutor Choi Seo-jun was enduring these suspicions and slanders because he had the misfortune of having a bad friend. No, because he had a deep loyalty to that friend.

He continued with a serious look in his eyes.

–I received 1 billion won from Secretary Gong Hyo-ik of the Juok Group’s secretary’s office. I don’t know if this was passed down from above the Juok Group or if Mr. Gong Hyo-ik implemented it on his own, but it is true that I received the money. Therefore, I will pay the price for this, and I will faithfully cooperate with the investigation, I declare here.

In an instant, flashes went off and shutter sounds echoed.

He had prepared in advance, but he continued to speak very casually, as if he hadn’t prepared.

–And one more thing. I don’t know how it happened, but from my personal speculation as a former prosecutor, I think the informant Lee Hong-jae, who gave the interview to the media, may have received money and gave false testimony. If an investigation into him is conducted, a more transparent result can be obtained, so I think it would be good to have an additional investigation into him.

Such a statement was inappropriate for him, who had suddenly become a criminal.

However, the series of statements he made would inevitably lead people to recognize Shin Yong-ho as a competent former prosecutor who was capable of receiving bribes from the Juok Group.

Shin Yong-ho’s remarks were enough to arouse suspicion among the public.

–I am going to turn myself in to the inspection department right now from this place.

He got up from his seat and continued to speak.

–Finally, I would like to apologize to the people.

With those words, Shin Yong-ho bowed deeply and left the press conference.

Reversal (逆轉).

The situation was reversed in an instant.

In the fight against Chief Prosecutor Kang Joong-sik, even if I fought hard (力戰) [fought with all my might], I couldn’t turn the tables, but Shin Yong-ho’s appearance alone turned the tide 180 degrees.

Not only did he clear me of the dirty name of being a bribe taker, but he also disguised me as a loyal man who sacrificed himself to protect his friend.

Shin Yong-ho, you crazy bastard.

Not only were reporter Park Su-hyung and reporter Lim Yu-na included, but looking at the overall scenario, I couldn’t deny the fact that a third party was involved.

At that moment, what Yoon Seol-ha said when I talked to her a few days ago flashed through my mind.

‘I’ll figure it out somehow.’

Could it be that Yoon Seol-ha designed this?

This scenario?

That was highly likely.

No, it must have been.

Because other than her, there is no one who knows so much about the people around me and has the ability to draw up such a scenario.

100 percent Yoon Seol-ha.

Momentarily, gratitude and emotion welled up in me, but at the same time, the back of Shin Yong-ho as he left the press conference faintly came to mind.

Damn it.

I never thought I would receive help from Shin Yong-ho in this way.

Just as I was about to take out my cell phone to call Yoon Seol-ha and hear what was going on, a call came from a name that made me laugh in vain.

I pressed the call button and immediately put it to my ear.

“Hey, you crazy bastard.”

-Hey, our loyal man, Chief Prosecutor Choi Seo-jun!

Shin Yong-ho answered the phone with a playful tone.

-I don’t know if you received the video message I sent you.

“I received it so well that I don’t understand it. You’re going to be screwed if you do this. Do you know that?”

-Hey, I watched a movie about friendship the other day.

What nonsense is this guy going to say again?

-It’s so cool to go like this. Don’t you think?

“Are you out of your mind?”

-A guy who’s been covered in shit once should get covered in it deliciously.

Shin Yong-ho burst into hearty laughter and said.

-Hey, you’re the one who saved me from being a *폐인* [social recluse] and *고민하던* [agonizing over] whether to commit suicide. You’re the one who avenged the guys who ruined me and made me live a normal life like now. So, can’t I sacrifice myself for you?

Momentarily, something hot welled up in my chest.

However, I couldn’t bring myself to say anything embarrassing.

“You’re really a crazy bastard.”

-If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be in this world anymore. If you live, I live too.

His appearance of being so nonchalant even in this situation instantly made my eyes red.

“You son of a bitch, you…….”

-Hey, frankly speaking, I should have gone to jail since the Im Seong-jin case, but I’ve been living without a prison sentence thanks to you. I’m going in now.

“You’re currently on probation. If this happens, you’ll be aggravated.”

-I know, man. But don’t you know that my friend is close to the president?

His nonsense mixed with truth made the tears that were coming out go back in, and instead, a hollow laugh burst out.

“I knew you were crazy, but I didn’t know it would be to this extent.”

-I’m going in believing in you, so hurry up and think about getting me out.

“Okay, you son of a bitch.”

-Seo-jun.

He said frankly.

-You should always live in the light. It’s enough for me to be trapped in the darkness. How did you get up there, but you’re trying to fall next to me because of this *망나니* [rascal; rogue] son of a bitch?

“……Thank you.”

-Ah, you son of a bitch. Don’t suddenly get sentimental. I hate comforting men.

I laughed in vain and said.

“Yeah, I survived by selling my friend, so I have to go not only to the light but also to the light source.”

-That’s good.

He said with admiration.

-Your words have always been amazing since the old days.

“My emotions are about to disappear because of your words right now.”

-Don’t be moved, man.

He immediately continued in a serious tone.

-Don’t say that you survived by selling your friend. This is nothing compared to you saving my life. I’m still really grateful to you. I’m happy and grateful that I was able to help you even in this way.

Shin Yong-ho said it and was embarrassed, so he immediately continued in a light voice again.

-The hot friendship of men that you only see in movies. That’s what it is.

“Okay, you son of a bitch. You always ruin the mood after you say something.”

As I laughed in vain, he chuckled and said to me.

-Hey, if you cry and laugh, you’ll get hair on your butt.

“So what.”

-Ji-yu will be sad if you get hair, right?

“Okay. Hurry up and go to the inspection department.”

-I’m already going now. There’s a delay even in the live broadcast, so it’ll be broadcast in 10 minutes. I’m already entering the high prosecutors’ office parking lot.

He laughed lightly and continued to speak.

-Oh, by the way, I’ve already talked to Hyun-sung about getting investigated by him. You don’t have to help, so don’t worry.

Deputy Chief Prosecutor Song Hyun-sung.

He, Shin Yong-ho, and Song Hyun-sung were all classmates in college, and if the story had already been told, there was nothing more to say.

-Prepare to come to Seoul on the first flight tomorrow and go to work.

“Okay, thank you so much.”

-Don’t say anything cheesy and take care of Ji-yu next to you. She must have been very surprised.

“I will.”

-And you should bow to Investigator Yoon Seol-ha as soon as you meet her. She persuaded everyone and made the *판* [scene; situation].

It seems that was the case.

“Okay. Go in.”

-Okay, rest easy.