The Inspector Is Getting Promoted! [EN]: Chapter 143

Mayor Na Kyung-joon of Seoul filled the vacancy created when Kyung Dong-soo was elected president through a by-election. Therefore, his term lasts until the end of June 2022.

So, the actual time he spends as the Mayor of Seoul is only two years. However, the positions of those defending and those attacking that seat in the next local elections are distinctly different.

With about 10 months left until the local elections in mid-June 2022,

Na Kyung-joon has enough time to imprint his image on the citizens of Seoul, allowing him to start the battle from a favorable position.

Moreover, the battleground this time is the electoral arena, unlike usual.

As a prosecutor, I must maintain political neutrality, which means I can’t use my greatest strength: my public image.

In other words, I have to operate from the shadows, which puts me at a significant disadvantage.

Of course, that doesn’t mean I intend to lose, but I can’t deny that it will be a difficult fight.

Before Na Kyung-joon appeared, I thought it would be good if Sung Tae-hyun was elected Mayor of Seoul in next year’s local elections, or he could aim for the subsequent local elections.

However, if Na Kyung-joon joins our line, the story changes.

Most importantly, Choi Kyu-hyun brought him in.

The message stated that Assemblyman Choi Kyu-hyun is certain to be the final candidate for the Daehan Party in the next presidential election.

No matter how ambitious Na Kyung-joon is, it’s safe to say he wouldn’t compete with Choi Kyu-hyun, who brought him into the fold.

Therefore, Na Kyung-joon’s goal must be to aim for the 22nd presidential election in 2030.

However, the 22nd presidential election is one where Sung Tae-hyun must be elected president.

But what if Na Kyung-joon is elected Mayor of Seoul again in next year’s local elections?

Including his remaining term of two years, he would serve as Mayor of Seoul for a whopping six years. Moreover, since he would still be in the line, the possibility of him becoming the third-term Mayor of Seoul is high, unless unforeseen issues arise.

Eventually, Na Kyung-joon would serve as Mayor of Seoul until 2030 and then take the typical elite course as a presidential candidate.

In other words, Sung Tae-hyun would be out of the picture.

Therefore, the moment Sung Tae-hyun loses to Na Kyung-joon in next year’s local elections, a crack appears in the grand plan of him becoming president.

The future message said that Sung Tae-hyun would win the 22nd presidential election in 2019.

However, considering that the 22nd presidential election will be held in 2030, the variables that arise during that long period are enough to twist the future.

To suppress those variables, I must do everything I can to ensure Sung Tae-hyun becomes president.

I can’t let my guard down.

Otherwise, I might end up as a political outcast.

Based on all these circumstances, the most ideal scenario is for Sung Tae-hyun to be elected in the next mayoral election, serve two terms as Mayor of Seoul for eight years, and then be elected president in the 2030 presidential election.

If that happens, it’s as good as guaranteed that I will become the Prosecutor-General, which is considered the pinnacle of success as a prosecutor.

The worst-case scenario is that Sung Tae-hyun loses the election, and Choi Kyu-hyun, whom we are backing, also loses the presidential election.

If that happens, we won’t have enough strength to endure until the 22nd presidential election.

To prevent that, we must make Sung Tae-hyun the Mayor of Seoul.

That way, even if our line’s Choi Kyu-hyun loses the presidential election, Sung Tae-hyun will be a reliable support in the interim during the next president’s term.

We must get Sung Tae-hyun elected as Mayor of Seoul.

“Assemblyman Sung Tae-hyun.”

“Yes, Prosecutor.”

“What is the public sentiment towards you in Dobong-gu [a district in Seoul] right now?”

He replied with a confident voice.

“If we’re just talking about approval ratings, it’s overwhelming. Frankly, I’m 100% confident that I’ll be elected if I run in the next general election.”

“If you aim for the Mayor of Seoul, you’ll have to give up your seat as a member of the National Assembly. If you fail, the next general election will also be very risky.”

To seriously commit to the position of Mayor of Seoul, he would have to leave his specific district, thus giving up his seat as a member of the National Assembly.

If he fails in the election and returns to his district, the residents of Dobong-gu will think that Sung Tae-hyun abandoned them and is only returning because he’s disappointed, making the direction of the next general election uncertain.

Above all, since he has to compete with the current Mayor of Seoul, there is a possibility of problems arising in the nomination for the next general election.

The challenge for the Mayor of Seoul is that risky.

Of course, Sung Tae-hyun knows this, but I wanted to hear his confirmation directly.

However, contrary to my worries, Sung Tae-hyun nodded without the slightest hesitation.

“Of course.”

Rather, he clenched his fist with a determined expression.

“We only live once, shouldn’t we take on a bold challenge?”

His attitude made me smile.

Yes, that’s how it should be. He needs this much ambition to be the presidential candidate I’ve chosen.

“Also, with a strong supporter like you, Prosecutor, there’s no need to hesitate. I’m young enough as a politician. And opportunities like this are rare.”

Sung Tae-hyun brought the tips of his fingers together and continued.

“If I don’t step up at times like this and just try to protect what I have…….”

He glanced at the old assemblymen who were standing on one side of the room, some of whom were inappropriately touching the women present, and continued.

“I’ll end up like those old fogeys in the back room, satisfied with small things and stuck with them.”

I was extremely pleased to hear his answer.

“And…….”

Sung Tae-hyun blushed shyly and continued.

“I want to be a confident man for Ji-soo. I love her so much that I want to make her the wife of a king.”

Wife of a king.

His ambition is already making me dizzy.

“I want to propose after being elected Mayor of Seoul.”

In Sung Tae-hyun’s eyes, determination and love began to be felt simultaneously.

At this point, it’s no exaggeration to say that he can make the impossible possible.

“Please help me so that I can definitely call you ‘hyung’ [older brother – a term of respect and affection].”

I twisted the corners of my mouth towards him as much as possible.

“Let’s go all the way, brother-in-law.”

***

“Yes, this is Choi Seo-joon.”

-Oh, Chief Choi, are you busy?

“No, Minister. Please speak.”

The person on the phone was none other than Minister Kim Seok-won.

-If you have time today, can we meet for a bit? How’s your evening?

“I’m available. May I ask what it’s about?”

-It’s nothing special, but there’s someone I want to introduce you to.

“Oh, is that so?”

-Yeah. You’ll know who it is when you see them. Let’s meet at Yeonga this evening.

“Understood.”

Kim Seok-won didn’t give me any details about who it was and ended the call.

He probably wants to see my surprised reaction.

If that’s the case, it must be someone I’ll be happy to meet.

Knowing Kim Seok-won’s personality, he wouldn’t want to see me in trouble, so I don’t have to worry too much.

Right after I sent Han Ji-yoo a text saying that I had an evening appointment and would be home late, I heard a knock.

Knock knock.

“Come in.”

Deputy Chief Lee Doo-hyung carefully opened the door and came inside.

“Did you call for me, Chief?”

“Yeah, there’s something I want to ask you to do.”

“Just tell me.”

“You know Na Kyung-joon, right?”

“If you’re talking about the Mayor of Seoul, then yes, I know him.”

“Dig up some dirt on that guy.”

“How big of a case should I look for?”

“As much as possible. We’ll use it in next year’s local elections.”

Deputy Chief Lee Doo-hyung understood my intentions and nodded.

“Then I’ll find cases related to his family as well.”

“Do that.”

“Understood.”

***

Yeonga (戀歌) [Love Song], a high-end bar in Gangnam.

Minister Kim Seok-won’s playful voice echoed softly in the innermost VIP room.

“Now that I’ve made the appointment, I’m wondering if I’m taking away from your passionate newlywed time.”

“Oh, no, not at all.”

I waved my hand and gave a sly smile.

“The night is long, and we’ll be together all night.”

“Ahahahahahaha!”

Minister Kim Seok-won burst into laughter.

“Yeah, youth is good.”

“By the way, the person you’re introducing…….”

With a sliding sound, the door opened and a man came in.

“Speak of the devil, and he arrives right on time.”

Turning my head back, I saw a man about 165cm tall with a partially bald head, bowing happily as he came inside.

“Greetings, Minister.”

“Oh, you’re here?”

I was so surprised that I stood up from my seat.

I thought it wouldn’t be an ordinary person, but I didn’t expect this man to come.

He smiled warmly and extended his hand to me.

“Chief Choi was here early?”

“I just arrived as well. It’s an honor to meet you, Chief Prosecutor.”

Chief Prosecutor Jeon Byung-joo.

He was the Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office, newly appointed as Park Jae-pil’s successor.

He was the Chief Prosecutor of the Cheongju District Prosecutors’ Office before being promoted, and he was considered the best among Kim Seok-won’s people who were in areas outside the Seoul metropolitan area.

I heard rumors that he would be promoted to Chief Prosecutor, but I didn’t expect to meet him like this before his official appointment.

“Let’s sit down first.”

“Yes, Minister.”

As soon as Chief Prosecutor Jeon Byung-joo sat down, he picked up his glass.

Kim Seok-won filled his glass with satisfaction.

“I prepared Cheongju liquor on purpose since you were in Cheongju.”

“You’re truly the Minister.”

Minister Kim Seok-won laughed heartily at Chief Prosecutor Jeon Byung-joo’s admiration and continued.

“I wanted two people I really like to get along, but…… is it uncomfortable?”

“Not at all.”

“Uncomfortable? Rather, I’m grateful that you created this opportunity.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Minister Kim Seok-won turned towards me and opened his mouth.

“Chief Choi here is the one who drove out that Park Jae-pil. You know that, right?”

“Of course, Minister. Isn’t it thanks to that vacancy that I came up from Cheongju to the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office?”

“So, take good care of him. I’m just an old man in the back room, and I’ll really retire after my term as Minister ends in just one more year. Shouldn’t two young and successful friends push and pull each other along?”

“That’s absolutely right.”

“Yes. So that you two can climb all the way to the top.”

Minister Kim Seok-won seemed pleased with our attitude and raised his glass with a big smile.

“Then, shall we have a toast together with a grand meaning?”

“Yes!”

We raised our glasses high and clinked them together.

While we were exchanging pleasantries for a long time, Chief Prosecutor Jeon Byung-joo’s phone started ringing.

After checking the caller, he carefully opened his mouth.

“It’s my wife, so may I take this call for a moment?”

“Of course, you should.”

Minister Kim Seok-won looked at me and said,

“At our age, we can’t do anything about our wives’ calls. The newlywed days are the best.”

“Hahaha, is that so?”

“Of course.”

As Chief Prosecutor Jeon Byung-joo left his seat, Minister Kim Seok-won picked up a snack and looked at me intently.

“Seo-joon.”

Perhaps because it was just the two of us, he called me by my first name in a friendly manner.

“Yes, Minister.”

“How’s work these days?”

“It’s going smoothly.”

“What about Chief Prosecutor Seo Gi-woong?”

“Chief Prosecutor…….”

As I trailed off, Minister Kim Seok-won’s eyes flashed as he opened his mouth.

“I heard something meaningful from Chief Prosecutor Seo Gi-woong, and I thought you should know about it.”

Minister Kim Seok-won slowly began to tell the story.

“So…….”