The Inspector Is Getting Promoted! [EN]: Chapter 302

Prosecutor, You’re Going Places! – Episode 302 (302/341)

The New Owner of the Throne (5)

“Here are the materials you requested.”

As expected, Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook didn’t disappoint.

No, he exceeded expectations.

I thought it would be good if he could get them before the presidential election campaign ended, but he came to me with results in hand less than a week after the campaign started.

“Give me a brief summary.”

“Understood.”

I opened the materials and listened to Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook.

“First, what you see on the first page is material that can be used to argue that Shin Dong-hyun’s eldest grandson was admitted to a specialized high school through illegal means. If you look at the next page, you’ll see the interview scores of the students admitted that year…”

All the scores of the new students were listed in detail.

In other words, it was difficult to obtain the data through legal channels.

However, the fact that the information was leaked from the inside meant that it was a card that could give them more leverage.

Looking at the chart, Shin Il-hyun, Shin Dong-hyun’s grandson, had a remarkable interview score.

The average score of the successful applicants was 65 points, while Shin Il-hyun scored 97 points.

The gap with the second place was more than 10 points.

“Anyone would suspect illegal admission, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook smiled lightly and continued.

“However, we have also obtained evidence that can dispel those suspicions.”

He smiled and pointed to the USB drive next to the documents.

“It contains the interview video from the science high school, and Shin Dong-hyun’s grandson performed overwhelmingly better than the other students. He received that high score based on his actual skills.”

Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook would have checked it himself, so that explanation should suffice.

However, it was clear that the Grand Korea Party would not back down easily.

“But there’s a possibility that the Grand Korea Party will argue that the interview questions were leaked in advance, right?”

“Yes. That’s why I have additionally attached the grandson’s grades.”

When I turned to the next page, there was a report card that was truly impressive.

Overwhelming first place.

Even in science high school.

Since all the mock exams that were held afterward were at the national level, there was no room for argument.

“It may not be a complete knockout, but it’s enough to be a hot potato.”

“That’s right.”

Education is considered one of the top three issues in politics, along with inter-Korean relations and free trade agreements [FTAs].

It’s always a topic that consistently attracts public attention.

It’s similar to how products for virility, hair loss, and study aids are aggressively marketed on home shopping channels.

If they can capture people’s attention, both the Grand Korea Party and the People’s Korea Party will be satisfied.

“And next?”

“Yes. If you look at the next page, it’s about the whereabouts of the slush fund that Shin Dong-hyun created when he was the chairman of SV Group…”

The data that Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook brought was getting stronger and stronger.

It was a card that the Grand Korea Party would drool over, and the evidence was solid enough for Shin Dong-hyun to defend himself without any damage.

With this, they would be able to join hands with both parties.

“Good job, Chief Gong.”

“Thank you, Deputy Chief!”

“Go on. I’ll contact you again.”

“Understood.”

He bowed his head and left the office.

I reviewed the documents once more, then picked up my phone and called Kim Kang-jin, the leader of the Grand Korea Party.

“This is Choi Seo-jun. I have some data to deliver regarding this election, so let’s meet.”

***

“I didn’t expect to see you so soon.”

Party Leader Kim Kang-jin smiled warmly and reached out his hand.

“I thought so too, but I couldn’t just sit still and watch.”

I gladly took his hand.

“So, what’s going on?”

Instead of speaking, I took out the data that Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook had prepared from my pocket and handed it over.

Of course, I excluded the data that Shin Dong-hyun could use to defend himself and only included the cases that could be used to attack him.

Kim Kang-jin’s eyes widened as he slowly examined the documents.

“Why are you giving this to me…”

“Didn’t I tell you last time?”

I smirked.

“Even though my body is in the People’s Korea Party, my heart leans toward the Grand Korea Party.”

“Prosecutor Choi…”

He looked at me intently, as if he was moved.

“To be honest, I didn’t think you would think this much about us.”

“Didn’t you say, Representative? Even if the parties are at odds, let’s not turn on each other.”

“That’s right, that’s right.”

A bright smile appeared on Kim Kang-jin’s face.

“I hope you use it meaningfully.”

“I will. I promise to talk to the election campaign team and make good use of it.”

“Thank you.”

“And if you get elected…”

When I cut off my words, he looked at me seriously and said.

“I’ll speak well to candidate Lee Tae-baek.”

“Hahaha, thank you.”

I added with a sly tone.

“If you run for president, I’ll help you then too.”

“Hey!”

He waved his hand.

“I’m not ready yet.”

“Doesn’t the phrase ‘not ready’ imply that with steady progress, you’ll get there eventually?”

Kim Kang-jin burst into laughter.

“You’re better at interpreting dreams than having them; you’re very good at talking.”

“I’m serious. I think you will definitely be able to enter the Blue House [the South Korean presidential residence] someday.”

“Ahem.”

He coughed and lowered his voice.

“I’ll only seriously challenge when I’m sure.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

“Of course, not in the near future. It’ll take at least 10 more years. I need to be a member of the National Assembly two or three more times to have enough experience to challenge the presidency, right?”

“Since you’ve already served five terms, it would be perfect if you could take it to your seventh term.”

“That way, I can take control of the party internally.”

I was wondering why Kim Kang-jin didn’t run in this presidential election, but the reason was roughly revealed.

What he dreams of is not a picture of being elected narrowly through fierce competition, but a picture of being elected with overwhelming power.

In other words.

His role model is ‘Former President Choi Gyu-hyun’.

Although he resigned, the force he exuded at the time of his election was more overwhelming than anyone else.

He was predicted to be elected as soon as he announced his candidacy, and he wielded more power than anyone else until he stepped down from the government.

Because of the political climate, he couldn’t say it out loud, but many people within the Grand Korea Party still consider him a role model.

As a result, one thing became clear.

Kim Kang-jin will officially run for president when he is sure of victory.

In other words, he doesn’t intend to run unless he is properly prepared.

If I coax him well, he might become a key asset for a bloodless entry [gaining power without conflict].

That’s why I need to build a stronger relationship with Party Leader Kim Kang-jin.

“I’ll help as much as I can, Representative.”

“Thank you, Prosecutor Choi.”

He patted me on the shoulder with a satisfied smile.

“Then I’ll contact you again.”

“Yes. Please drive carefully.”

Kim Kang-jin got out of the car as soon as he confirmed that there was no one around, and I quickly stepped on the accelerator and left the parking lot.

Then, without a break, I immediately picked up my phone and called Shin Dong-hyun.

“Yes, Candidate. I think I need to see you urgently; I’ll go to the election campaign headquarters.”

***

I met Shin Dong-hyun late in the evening after the campaign hours were over.

Because I had called him out so suddenly, he was quite worried.

“Is there anything wrong?”

“While I was in contact with the Grand Korea Party, I happened to obtain a list of things they had compiled to attack the candidate.”

“About me?”

“Yes. It’s about the slush fund from the SV Group days, your grandson’s admission to a specialized high school, and your agenda during your tenure as the mayor of Seoul.”

I showed him the data I had given to the Grand Korea Party.

As expected, deep wrinkles formed on Shin Dong-hyun’s forehead.

“Those guys, they’re even going after my family…”

“I wasn’t comfortable with it either, so I investigated through the special investigation prosecutors…”

I took out additional documents from my pocket and handed them to him.

“I’ve compiled this because I think it will provide some defense.”

Candidate Shin Dong-hyun tilted his head and looked at the documents one by one, and his pupils dilated greatly.

“No, how did you get this…”

I smiled slyly.

“I squeezed the prosecutors, and it came out.”

“Hehe…”

He chuckled and repeatedly looked at the documents and my face.

“This isn’t just some level of defense; it’s perfect defense, right?”

I asked back, pretending not to know.

“Is that so?”

“Yes. The fact that you obtained this much data so quickly is really… Hehet.”

Candidate Shin Dong-hyun silently raised his thumb.

“I guess this is why people say special investigation, special investigation. Or should I see it as Prosecutor Choi’s power?”

“I’m glad you’re satisfied.”

He put the documents away and looked at me intently.

“Thank you so much.”

“No. There’s no need for thanks between us.”

“I won’t forget it if I get elected. No, I’ll only think about the prosecutor every day.”

“Hahaha, there’s no need to go that far.”

“I’m serious. If it wasn’t for the prosecutor, the day I ran for president wouldn’t have come.”

Candidate Shin Dong-hyun’s eyes burned.

“I will definitely be elected. So I’ll put you in the position you’ve been dreaming of.”

“I’m grateful just for the words…”

I smiled lightly.

“I’ll look forward to it a little.”

He laughed and burst into laughter.

“You can look forward to it a lot.”

***

-This is breaking news. It has been confirmed that Shin Dong-hyun, the candidate of the People’s Korea Party, will be elected as the next presidential candidate. Shin Dong-hyun, the 24th President of the Republic of Korea…

All the results were as expected.

In the exit polls, Candidate Shin Dong-hyun led Candidate Lee Tae-baek of the Grand Korea Party by a considerable margin.

In the actual vote count, he won more than half of the votes with 52% of the vote, confirming his election.

And as expected.

Beep, beep.

The phone rang.

“Yes, this is Choi Seo-jun.”

-Hello, Prosecutor. This is Jin Hyun-soo.

Jin Hyun-soo.

He is Shin Dong-hyun’s right-hand man who has been with him since the SV Group days until this election campaign, and he is slated to be the next Chief of Staff of the Blue House.

“Congratulations, Chief.”

-Thank you. It’s all thanks to the prosecutor’s help.

“No. I just helped a little.”

I calmed my emotions as much as possible and asked.

“Is the candidate… no, is President Shin Dong-hyun preparing for his victory speech?”

-Yes. We are moving to Gwanghwamun [a major public square in Seoul] now. And…

He added in a bright voice.

-After the speech, we plan to go to the place where we always gather. The President asked me to tell you that he would like the prosecutor to come.”

“Understood. I’ll leave right now.”

-Yes. See you later.

After hanging up the phone, I closed my eyes.

The penthouse of the Hill Consience Hotel, where we always gathered after significant events.

But for some reason, I started to feel nervous.

Two years ago.

That was the place where I was backstabbed by Seong Tae-hyun.

But I can’t refuse to go.

That’s how I can become the Prosecutor General, surpassing the Deputy Prosecutor General of the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, a position I’ve been dreaming of all my life.

The same thing that happened in the past will not be repeated.

That can’t happen.

It won’t happen.

It must not happen.

“Hoo.”

I took a deep breath.

And headed to the Hill Consience Hotel.