My Calling Is Profiler [EN]: Chapter 132

A social consensus often forms among the upper class, making it difficult to obtain warrants against its members. There’s an unspoken rule that protects them.

“Besides, even if it’s corrupt, Naturalism Hospital has some influence in Korea, right?”

“Probably. And if you even hint that a doctor is suspected of a crime, the medical community will likely rally to defend them, calling it nonsense.”

“Doesn’t Korea strangely prioritize academic background above all else?”

In Korea, academic background and wealth heavily influence judgment. When reporting someone to the police or requesting a warrant, people often say, ‘Someone with that education/wealth would never do such a thing.’

Even when an investigation begins, a common refrain is, ‘They’re just not the type to do that.’

There’s this absurd belief that high education and wealth equate to good character.

“Academic background and wealth have nothing to do with character.”

“Exactly!”

The problem is that this mindset isn’t limited to ordinary people; the police, prosecution, and even the courts often operate under the same assumption. Investigations often begin with a presumption of innocence, making convictions difficult.

“If we investigate Ham Seok-hwan, the higher-ups will likely shut it down anyway.”

The team leader was concerned. Park Do-joon then made an unexpected suggestion.

“Then let’s use Shin Cheol-gwang.”

“Shin Cheol-gwang? Is he any good? He doesn’t seem like much to me.”

The team leader looked puzzled. He’d inquired about Shin Cheol-gwang but hadn’t heard anything positive.

“No. Frankly, his skills are probably the worst among all the profilers.”

“Ugh, that’s probably true. He likely got in through his older brother’s influence. He’s not stupid, given his written exam scores, but his interview was a disaster, I heard.”

“How did you know that?”

“When hiring a profiler, they usually involve at least one experienced profiler in the process, right?”

“Ah!”

And someone at the team leader level would likely have regular contact with them.

“The interviewer said he wasn’t suitable, but the higher-ups approved him anyway. Later, I found out his older brother is a member of the National Assembly [Korea’s parliament].”

“Well, that’s not even surprising.”

“Exactly.”

Fairness in Korea? Long gone.

Ironically, those who destroyed it are the ones who talk about it the most.

“But how are we going to use that guy?”

“There’s an interesting rumor going around.”

“An interesting rumor?”

“There’s a rumor that Shin Cheol-gwang deliberately provided incorrect profiling in exchange for money.”

The team leader’s eyes widened. He glanced around, then lowered his voice.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

‘I’m sure. Because he’ll turn out to be a serial killer later.’

His profiling had distinct characteristics. If they’d just set the investigation in the right direction, they probably would have caught the criminal after the first or second murder.

But Shin Cheol-gwang deliberately lied in the serial killer’s profiling for money, resulting in the criminal being caught only after the number of victims reached double digits.

Even then, the local police didn’t catch him. Another profiler, assigned to a murder in another area without knowing it was the same perpetrator, analyzed the case, tracked the killer down, and uncovered the truth.

‘But that was eventually covered up.’

The truth was quietly suppressed, and Shin Cheol-gwang voluntarily resigned.

The media never suspected the police of deliberately distorting an investigation for money.

However, because a profiler was involved, Park Do-joon’s team was discreetly informed as a precaution.

“No way.”

“It’s possible. What do you think of Shin Cheol-gwang, Team Leader? Judge him without considering him a colleague.”

“If I judge him without considering him a colleague… Haa~ I can’t deny it.”

Extremely selfish and greedy. He immediately asked to borrow Park Do-joon’s car after hearing it was a good one.

This contrasts with his initial hostility towards Park Do-joon, suggesting his priority is wealth, separate from his personal feelings.

Even in that brief meeting, that much was clear.

“If the rumor is true, I think it’s not impossible for him to commit a crime.”

“What rumor is that?”

“He’s a typical power-seeker, and there’s a significant age gap with his older brother, I heard.”

“That’s what I said earlier, right?”

“So, he likely understood the nature of power from a young age.”

From Shin Cheol-gwang’s school days, his older brother was a member of the National Assembly, and even the principal and vice-principal fawned over him.

Surprisingly, a person’s past significantly impacts their future.

“Are you going to profile a colleague as a criminal now?”

“Why can’t I?”

“No, you’re doing very well.”

The team leader smiled. A colleague? They’re colleagues when catching criminals together, but not if they’re covering up for them.

“In fact, in the current situation, it’s easier to profile Shin Cheol-gwang.”

“That’s right. He’s power-oriented, right? He definitely is. Especially after his brother lost an election. People become more obsessed with power after they lose it.”

“Did that happen?”

“It did.”

Shin Cheol-gwang’s brother, a former member of the National Assembly, lost an election.

To be precise, the party nominated someone else in his district, calling it a strategic nomination, and nominated his brother in another area.

He couldn’t resist the party’s decision and eventually lost in that new district.

After enjoying power for eight years, Shin Cheol-gwang began to be treated coldly and became obsessed with power.

“But he won again next time.”

“He managed to win.”

“Ah, the guy who was strategically nominated lost.”

Strategic nomination is a euphemism. The party considered the district a safe seat and nominated someone expected to win easily, but surprisingly, they lost.

In the next election, Shin Cheol-gwang’s brother threatened to run as an independent if they didn’t nominate him in his original district. The party, wanting to secure at least one seat, nominated him again, and he won.

“As a result, that period seems to have become a kind of trauma.”

“Well, losing power is the hardest thing for someone who has enjoyed it.”

The loss of power is a significant shock. Why else would siblings kill each other for it?

“Then I understand. Because elections require a lot of money.”

Korean elections are expensive. The state compensates for official expenses, but that’s only part of the cost.

They often spend money discreetly, even bribing election officials and openly conducting illegal campaigns.

“It’s definitely possible.”

After losing power, he would have needed a considerable amount of money to run again.

“And he even threatened to run as an independent, right?”

“That’s right.”

Running as an independent means bearing all the costs.

“Considering Shin Cheol-gwang’s family’s power and situation, he likely saved money after his brother’s defeat to run as an independent.”

During that time, he probably learned how money affects power.

“Could it be something like that?”

“What?”

“You said there’s a significant age gap with his brother, right? When his brother retires from politics, someone has to take over his position, right?”

“That’s definitely true.”

And that requires money, a lot of money.

His family is wealthy, and his brother likely accumulated wealth during his time in the National Assembly.

“But money is always lacking.”

The situation becomes clearer. He wants to take over his brother’s position and needs a suitable title.

His brother’s party might not support him. Unless he runs as an independent and gains recognition, taking over the National Assembly seat will be impossible.

“The title of profiler sounds intellectual.”

“And it’s a professional field.”

‘He didn’t run in the past, but running with such criminal baggage would be suicidal.’

When you run for election, the party investigates everything that can be dug up about you. This is true for both the affiliated party and the opposing party.

They use it as a weapon. Korean elections are more about negative campaigning than policy competition.

He took money and released a serial killer? A veteran politician might survive that, but not a newcomer.

It’s an incident the police covered up, but it will surface if the party starts digging.

Everyone inside the police knew about it but kept quiet.

“But this case is exactly the type Shin Cheol-gwang likes.”

“That’s right?”

The other person is wealthy and has much to lose. If he misdirects the case, the police will waste their time.

“Even if Shin Cheol-gwang is an idiot, he knows investigating a doctor isn’t easy. He knows even better because he understands power.”

With a little influence, Ham Seok-hwan can avoid suspicion. Currently, there’s only circumstantial evidence, not physical evidence.

“And Team Leader, you know that gut feelings are important, but also not important.”

“That’s right.”

Profilers read subtle emotional expressions, analyze them, and identify the culprit.

The problem is getting that accepted is a different matter.

For example, when people lie, they tend to avoid eye contact. A profiler might see that and be convinced the person is lying. But will the court accept that? No.

Profilers only suggest directions; they can’t create evidence.

“Maybe he’s going to approach that side and try to extort money?”

He probably will. Park Do-joon knows this, so he deliberately took Shin Cheol-gwang around and leaked information, allowing Shin Cheol-gwang to approach Ham Seok-hwan.

A Profiler by Trade