The Inspector Is Getting Promoted! [EN]: Chapter 320

Prosecutor, You’re Going Places! – 320

Treasure Hunt (3)

The Russian Foreign Affairs Historical Library.

A place where various historical and cultural records from the late 1800s, through the Soviet era, to present-day Russia are preserved.

It was more of a museum than a library.

Materials from the Japanese colonial period were also naturally stored there.

However, since I wasn’t visiting as a representative of Korea, officially accessing the data was, in principle, impossible.

This was historical data, after all.

Nevertheless, thanks to Yoon Seol-ha’s cousin, Yoon Hyung-shik, who was in charge of translation and had used his connections to offer a bribe, I was able to check the data without much difficulty.

“What we need first is the extradition treaty that Russia signed with Japan.”

Yoon Seol-ha’s cousin translated skillfully. The employee tapped on the keyboard a few times, said a few words in Russian, and headed to the literature storage room.

“He says it’s easy to find thanks to the indexing.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Yes. So, he says there’s no need to search one by one. He said to wait five minutes, and he’ll bring it out soon.”

“Thank you.”

Before long, the employee returned with a thick book.

Yoon Hyung-shik thanked him and immediately opened the book, starting to look for the desired part.

How many minutes had passed?

“Ah, I found it. It’s here.”

Seol-ha and I immediately widened our eyes and approached him.

“Could you read it to us?”

“Yes. I’ll translate it right away. First, Russia and Japan, regarding crimes committed in each country…….”

A smile spread across my face as he translated.

Because there was no difference in content from the data that the Ahn Jung-geun History and Culture Foundation had given me.

The Russo-Japanese extradition treaty.

Although written in the language and terms of the time, when translated into modern words, it meant that if Japan requested the extradition of a criminal from Russia, it would be delivered through the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice, and if the government permitted, the criminal could be handed over.

Looking at it this way, it seems legal that Ahn Jung-geun was taken from the Japanese video hall.

However, the date this treaty was signed was June 1, 1911.

Ahn Jung-geun was arrested and handed over to Japan in 1909.

The execution also took place in 1910.

In other words, until Ahn Jung-geun was executed, there was no proper treaty or agreement in place for Japan to bring Ahn Jung-geun over.

In short, it was an illegal apprehension.

“It is presumed that Russia did this to minimize their burden as much as possible.”

This also coincided with what the foundation had speculated.

The Harbin Station area was a leased territory that Russia had agreed upon with China.

In other words, it was land under Russian jurisdiction at the time.

However, when a state guest of Japan was killed on that land, they must have accepted Japan’s request to hand over Ahn Jung-geun without any special grounds in order to minimize responsibility.

“Could you officially request the Russian Embassy to confirm this issue?”

“It’s probably possible.”

Yoon Hyung-shik stroked his chin and said.

“Actually, it’s a very sensitive issue between Korea and Japan, but from Russia’s point of view, it’s not a big deal. It was a big event at the time, but it’s been a long time since the war ended, and it’s not like they committed a huge wrong.”

“I see.”

I lightly curved the corners of my mouth and got up from my seat.

“This is enough. Let’s go back.”

“Yes.”

***

On the way back to the airport.

I called Lee Doo-hyung.

-Yes, Senior.

“Hey, Doo-hyung, is it a good time to talk?”

-Yes. But it shows up as an international call?

“I’m in Russia for a bit.”

-Russia?

“Yeah. There’s something I need you to do.”

-Anything, just tell me.

“I’m going to send you some data through our employee, so please officially ask the Russian government for their position through the Russian Embassy.”

-Understood. Is that all?

“For now, that’s it.”

-Yes. When are you sending it?

“It’ll be there today.”

-I’ll be waiting.

“Okay. Let me know when you receive it.”

***

Less than a week after returning to Korea, I received a call from Lee Doo-hyung.

“Hey, Doo-hyung.”

-Senior, about what you asked for last time? Through the Russian Embassy…….

“I remember. Did you get a response?”

-Yes. Should I send it to you by fax?

“Send it to my direct fax.”

-Understood.

Not long after, the fax arrived.

And the result of translating the contents.

‘No extradition treaty was signed between Russia and Japan in 1909 and 1910. Therefore, we acknowledge that there was a problem with the extradition of Ahn Jung-geun [a Korean independence activist] to Japan. However, as it has been over 100 years…….’

It was as Yoon Hyung-shik had predicted.

Since so much time had already passed, Korea or Japan could not hold Russia accountable, so they casually acknowledged the facts.

It contained a phrase telling us not to even think about filing a lawsuit, but it was not important at all.

Because my goal was Japan anyway.

“I guess we should start preparing for the lawsuit now.”

Since documents related to Japan and Korea remain in Korea, I was able to collect them without difficulty.

All that was left was the lawsuit in Japan.

“We need to start moving in earnest.”

I got up from my seat.

“I’m going to W&K. Prepare the car.”

***

“It’s been a while, Attorney.”

The man who greeted me with a bright smile was Woo Jong-min, the representative of the law firm W&K.

“Have you been well?”

“Of course.”

He took my hand and said with a regretful voice.

“You should have joined our firm instead of opening your own practice. We could have given you the best treatment in the industry, even better than anyone else in Korea.”

“Unfortunately, I didn’t become a lawyer for the money.”

“Ah, right.”

He nodded and took a sip of his tea.

“By the way, what brings you here?”

“I have a proposal for W&K.”

“A proposal?”

“Yes.”

I got straight to the point without hesitation.

“Why don’t we take on a big case together?”

Representative Woo Jong-min’s eyes sparkled.

“It wouldn’t be polite to refuse a proposal from you, Attorney.”

The corners of his mouth turned up.

He was a businessman after all.

If he were to proceed with a case I was involved in, he would know that it wouldn’t end at a moderate level and would become a big issue.

W&K’s image would naturally rise, and he would have already finished calculating the additional benefits in his head.

“May I ask what kind of case it is?”

“It could become a very sensitive issue internationally.”

“Then that’s even better.”

He raised his eyebrows and continued.

“Because if we win, the effect will be even greater.”

“Good.”

I smiled contentedly and straightened my back.

“Then W&K needs someone who is qualified to practice law in Japan and is highly skilled. I’ll tell you more when that person comes.”

“Understood.”

Soon after, a man entered after being called by Representative Woo Jong-min.

“I’m Kim Sang-moon. I look forward to working with you.”

He bowed politely.

The age he appeared to be was in his mid-30s.

The fact that he joined W&K at such a young age proves his skills.

Representative Woo Jong-min patted him on the shoulder in a friendly manner and said.

“He’s the youngest friend to obtain lawyer qualifications in both Korea and Japan. His skills are needless to say. Attorney Kim, what was your win rate so far?”

“92.8%.”

Even if it exceeds 70%, you’ll be called a monster.

But 92.8%.

He was someone Woo Jong-min could proudly bring.

“I’m Choi Seo-joon. Let’s sit down and talk.”

“Yes.”

“You’re Korean, right?”

“That’s right. My mother is from Gyeongsang-do, and my father is from Jeolla-do. My grandparents are the same.”

Among Koreans, he was a native Korean.

Then there would be no hesitation in this lawsuit.

There was no need to delay any longer.

“Then let me tell you about the case right away.”

I took out a document envelope from my bag, handed it to them, and began to speak.

“This time, I received a request from the Ahn Jung-geun History and Culture Foundation…….”

As I slowly explained the case, surprise, admiration, regret, and lamentation poured out on their faces.

As businessmen.

And as lawyers.

And as Koreans, it was a natural reaction.

After finishing the story about the case, I calmly added.

“I’m not sure if we’ll win, but the fact that the lawsuit is taking place will definitely be internationally meaningful. It will be a work to reaffirm the roots of Koreans.”

Attorney Kim Sang-moon grabbed my hand and said.

“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to join you.”

“No. I called you because I needed you.”

For Kim Sang-moon, it would be an opportunity to make a name for himself in Korea beyond just being called a W&K lawyer.

In addition, the law firm W&K was always the target of criticism from the public, who viewed them with prejudice, saying that they only protect the rich, *chaebols* [large family-owned conglomerates], and high-ranking officials, but if this matter is resolved well, it will be of great help in improving their image.

Representative Woo Jong-min and Attorney Kim Sang-moon both had an opportunity they couldn’t miss.

Frankly speaking, W&K was an essential helper for me too.

I could speak Japanese to some extent, but it was impossible to entrust the defense with that.

If I took on the case alone and won, the ripple effect would be unparalleled, but if I was blinded by that, I wouldn’t be able to proceed with the lawsuit itself properly.

In the first place, Korean law and Japanese law are different, and there are differences between everyday language and legal terms, so expert help was needed.

Among them, the most reliable and skilled person was undoubtedly a lawyer from W&K, which is considered the best in Korea.

Even if there is something I lack, there is a possibility that they will make up for it.

Representative Woo Jong-min carefully asked me.

“But how are you going to attract the public’s attention? Of course, even with simple reports, it would be a big topic if Attorney Choi Seo-joon took on the case…….”

“The lawsuit will take a long time. If the topicality is to be maintained for a long time, it should not be simple.”

I smiled and added.

“The broadcast will be aired.”

“Broadcast?”

“Yes. It will also be broadcast on terrestrial television during prime time. The public can’t help but be interested.”

At those words, Representative Woo Jong-min and Attorney Kim Sang-moon exclaimed.

“It’s a documentary about Ahn Jung-geun.”

“That’s right. The editing is already finished, and we’re just waiting for the timing to broadcast it to coincide with the lawsuit, so you can prepare.”

PD [Production Director] Song Jae-hoon, who was about to become the director, had perfectly worked on it.

The finished product is also something that Koreans cannot pass by.

If we release it right before filing the lawsuit, it will surely be enough to ignite the hearts of the people.

“We just need to win the lawsuit in Japan. After that, when we return to Korea, we will be national heroes, and a flowery path will unfold.”

Attorney Kim Sang-moon clenched his fist and said resolutely.

“I will do my best to help you so that we can win the case.”

I looked at him and wiggled my nose.

“Let’s do it right.”