The Inspector Is Getting Promoted! [EN]: Chapter 330

Prosecutor, You’re Going Places! – Episode 330 (330/341)

Bloodless Victory (3)

-The current state of affairs requires significant change. To restore and revive the economic and diplomatic policies that have collapsed over the past four years, I have concluded that we must directly enter the eye of the storm. Therefore, I, Kim Kang-jin!

He reached out his hand and shouted loudly.

-Declare my candidacy for the 25th presidential election!

Beyond the screen, the thunderous applause of party members echoed.

Assemblyman Kim Kang-jin declared his candidacy at the exact time he had promised me.

As he had repeatedly stated that he would not run, many were astonished.

The most bewildered were not the rival candidates within the party, like Assemblyman Hwang Hyun-soo, but the members of the Min-guk Party.

While Assemblyman Hwang Hyun-soo could easily compete even if Shin Dong-hyun ran for re-election, Kim Kang-jin’s entry meant that the Daehan Party had also drawn its sword.

In this situation, if the Min-guk Party took a half-hearted approach, their chances of defeat would increase.

They had to make a strong move as well.

And that strong move was, as expected.

-What do you think about you running for president, Attorney?

It was directed at me.

Considering Shin Dong-hyun’s approval ratings, there was a high possibility of losing to Assemblyman Kim Kang-jin unless I ran.

“As I mentioned before, the presidential election is…”

I conveyed my refusal in a roundabout way.

The Min-guk Party still seemed regretful, but they couldn’t force me.

Since articles had already been published stating that I had rejected their offer, declaring my candidacy now wouldn’t paint a good picture.

-I understand. Please contact us anytime if you change your mind.

“Yes. Thank you for your hard work.”

I ended the call with the Min-guk Party and immediately called Shin Dong-hyun.

“It’s been a while, Mr. President.”

-Good to hear from you. How have you been?

“Yes. There’s something important I’d like to discuss. Is this a good time?”

***

“The President is scheduled to arrive in 10 minutes.”

“Understood.”

I waited leisurely for Shin Dong-hyun, sipping tea.

Assemblyman Kim Kang-jin’s candidacy had become a major topic, so Shin Dong-hyun must have heard about it.

There was a reason why I contacted Shin Dong-hyun after the articles about his candidacy were published.

The most important reason was to lower Shin Dong-hyun’s chances of winning.

If Assemblyman Kim Kang-jin decided not to run as before, and Assemblyman Hwang Hyun-soo ran instead, President Shin Dong-hyun’s chances of re-election would be very high.

In that case, he might think that the 25th presidential election was worth a shot, and he might not cooperate with my bloodless victory.

However, if a competitive candidate like Assemblyman Kim Kang-jin appeared, Shin Dong-hyun’s chances of being elected would decrease, naturally increasing the likelihood of him accepting my proposal.

I would directly propose to Shin Dong-hyun that he suggest Assemblyman Kim Kang-jin withdraw and endorse him, and I would also reveal that he had accepted this.

Then, he would have no choice but to think that joining forces with me, who had allied with the Daehan Party, would be a more certain way to gain benefits than opposing me.

I was calculating and moving everything.

There couldn’t be even a single error in the presidential election.

Knock, knock.

With a knock, the door opened, and President Shin Dong-hyun appeared.

“It’s been a while.”

He smiled brightly and extended his hand to me.

“You look much better.”

I complimented him and shook his hand.

President Shin Dong-hyun sat down, took a sip of tea, and looked at me intently.

“Coming to see me in this situation must be about the election, right?”

“There’s no need to beat around the bush.”

I smiled and put down my teacup.

“I’ll get straight to the point.”

“I’ve been waiting for it.”

I leaned towards President Shin Dong-hyun and asked him directly.

“Do you plan to run for president?”

As if he knew I would ask this, he nodded slowly.

“I’m still considering it.”

President Shin Dong-hyun replied in a serious voice.

“If I had my way, I would naturally want to be re-elected.”

At that moment, his eyes flashed.

“Once you taste power, you don’t want to let it go.”

That’s right.

The reason why power is so frightening is precisely this.

It’s more addictive than drugs.

Moreover, Shin Dong-hyun had enjoyed the power as the president of South Korea, the pinnacle of the nation, so he knew the sweetness of power better than anyone else and would never want to let it go.

“But considering the current approval ratings…”

He slowly shook his head.

“I can’t easily make a decision because I’m afraid of being disgraced if I run and lose.”

Shin Dong-hyun was the first president elected since the implementation of the term limit.

There was no reason not to enjoy the benefit of serving another term as president.

However, that was only if he was elected.

If he ran and lost, he would only bring dishonor upon himself.

A sitting president being defeated in a re-election would mean that he had been very poor at managing state affairs during his term.

He was standing at a crossroads, whether to step down gracefully or to try again.

“Actually, I was going to run for re-election because Assemblyman Hwang Hyun-soo was planning to run. But suddenly, Assemblyman Kim Kang-jin announced his candidacy, so the situation isn’t good.”

He expressed deep regret.

Looking at President Shin Dong-hyun’s eyes, one thing was certain.

He desperately hoped for re-election.

Therefore, I had to shatter his hope.

That’s the only way I could be elected.

“Mr. President.”

I looked him straight in the eye and asked.

“What would you do if I ran?”

“You, Attorney?”

President Shin Dong-hyun looked momentarily flustered but then nodded.

“I knew you would do that.”

All sorts of emotions flashed across his face.

“I thought you would talk about that today.”

Soon, President Shin Dong-hyun averted his gaze from me.

A slightly listless energy could be felt in his eyes.

However, he spoke candidly as if he thought he had no other choice.

“If you run, I’ll have to concede. In fact, wouldn’t it be thanks to you that I got to this position?”

I still felt that he had lingering desires.

However, he seemed to be giving up due to reality.

In fact, he had no choice.

If I ran, the Min-guk Party would naturally try to push me rather than let him challenge for re-election.

“It would be a lie to say that I have no regrets, but I think I can trust you to take over the presidency without any reservations, Prosecutor.”

Even as he spoke words close to resignation, his face was filled with regret.

Moreover, seeing him use the title “Prosecutor” instead of “Attorney,” it seemed that he had been thinking about stepping down from the presidency, but the reality of it was quite a shock.

That’s how difficult it was to let go of the presidency.

However, he continued to speak calmly on the surface.

“I believe you will do even better even if I step down. You have already proven your abilities.”

President Shin Dong-hyun gave a slightly wistful smile.

“Frankly speaking, if I were to compete with you in the party primaries, I’m not confident I could win.”

What was certain was that he knew that I was ahead of President Shin Dong-hyun in terms of public sentiment and political influence.

I had to press him at this timing.

“Mr. President.”

“Yes.”

“So, I have a favor to ask.”

“Tell me. I have to listen to what you have to say, Attorney.”

“Please run in the party primaries.”

“…Yes?”

At that moment, a glimmer of hope flashed in his eyes.

However, I mercilessly shattered that hope.

“And during the presidential election, please withdraw.”

President Shin Dong-hyun looked puzzled.

“What do you mean by that…”

In fact, I didn’t feel comfortable even as I said it.

However, it couldn’t be helped.

In the political arena, the emotion of sympathy is a luxury.

I benefited from making him president, but what was certain was that Shin Dong-hyun benefited more from my help and enjoyed more.

Now it was my turn to take the benefits.

“I plan to run as an independent.”

President Shin Dong-hyun’s mouth dropped open.

It seemed to be a completely unexpected scenario.

However, he frowned as if he understood my intentions.

“Are you perhaps asking me to withdraw and declare my support for you?”

“I’m sorry, but that’s correct.”

“Hmph…”

Shin Dong-hyun let out a low sigh.

And he shook his head vigorously.

“Attorney, that seems too harsh.”

“I know. But if I’m going to be elected, I want to go for it 확실하게 [definitely/certainly].”

“…”

“I’ve helped you a lot so far.”

“It’s true that you helped me get elected president for the first time. But…”

“So, I think it’s my turn this time.”

Shin Dong-hyun was a person who had served as president.

If I went out carelessly, I could be swallowed up by the greed of power.

That’s why I had to be firm.

To prevent him from having vain thoughts.

“Frankly speaking, with the current approval ratings, isn’t the chance of being elected slim?”

“…”

Shin Dong-hyun bit his lip.

He would also know.

With an approval rating of nearly 25%, it would be very difficult to be re-elected president even if he ran again.

He cautiously asked me.

“The momentum of Assemblyman Kim Kang-jin from the Daehan Party is frightening right now. Can you definitely win?”

I answered firmly without a moment’s hesitation.

“I’m not just making this offer to you, Mr. President.”

Shin Dong-hyun flinched and clenched his fist tightly.

“Attorney, don’t tell me…”

“I’ve already made the offer to Assemblyman Kim Kang-jin. And he accepted it.”

Horror was evident on his face.

“You can see that Assemblyman Kim Kang-jin ran for the same reason.”

I had to shatter even the slightest hope that he could be elected.

“He will also declare his support for me during the election.”

“…”

“If the Daehan Party and I join forces, wouldn’t it be difficult to lose?”

Shin Dong-hyun slowly nodded.

It was a fact that he didn’t want to admit, but he had no choice but to admit.

The world wanted Choi Seo-joon, and the Daehan Party had promised to help me.

He himself would know best that he couldn’t reverse the flow I was creating with Shin Dong-hyun’s power alone.

His hand on the armrest was clenched into a tight fist.

But that was only for a moment.

Unless he was senile, no matter how much he calculated, he would have come to the conclusion that he couldn’t go against the flow I was creating.

Before long, the fist loosened, and his hand opened.

“…Attorney.”

“Yes, Mr. President.”

“However, I can’t help you just because of our past relationship, can I?”

“That’s right.”

“What can I get if I help you?”

The fact that he asked this meant that he would come over to my side if I made a good offer.

I smiled and opened my mouth.

“I’ll give you everything you want, Mr. President.”