My Calling Is Profiler [EN]: Chapter 449

“Councilman Lee Eok-ho will now be remembered as someone who paid money after the fact, rather than solving the problem proactively.”

Park Do-joon’s solution for Lee Eok-ho was simple: make it appear as though he only provided funds belatedly. He should act as if he were completely unaware of the incident and that Yoon Tae-min stepped up to rescue the Korean citizen.

This way, Lee Eok-ho would avoid criticism, and Yoon Tae-min would receive the credit.

“…Can it really work like that?”

“The conflict between Lee Eok-ho and Lee Sang-won is of little interest to the public.”

If the initial incident had been a major scandal, Lee Eok-ho wouldn’t have won the election.

“But he did win. However, as I mentioned before, neglecting his responsibility to his son is an entirely separate matter.”

“That’s correct.”

“The problem is that in Korea, money is a core value.”

Park Do-joon scratched his head awkwardly and said,

“If the Korean government were to give 1 billion won to rescue Lee Sang-won, there would undoubtedly be controversy over preferential treatment. If Councilman Lee Eok-ho were to pay to rescue him, he would be criticized for enacting pro-China policies when his son was nearly subjected to organ harvesting by Chinese thugs. That’s what Councilman Lee Eok-ho feared in the first place.”

In other words, everyone loses in this scenario.

“But what if Yoon Tae-min rescues Lee Sang-won through negotiation, and Lee Eok-ho later finds out, deeply regrets it, and then repays the money?”

“That would be…”

“Difficult to criticize.”

The Korean government, specifically the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is simply fulfilling its duty. Protecting its citizens is a natural and expected function.

However, providing funds to terrorists in that situation could be seen as problematic.

“No matter how small the amount.”

The money used in negotiations with the Karen people (an ethnic group in Southeast Asia), not a Chinese organization, was only 50 million won. But even that could make many people uncomfortable.

“But if Lee Eok-ho repays that to the government, it’s not being given as tax money.”

What people found most unsettling during the Well Church incident was why the Korean government was using taxpayer money to provide terrorist funds to individuals who insisted on traveling to dangerous areas despite warnings.

“Is that so important?”

“Unfortunately, money is central to Korean value judgments. And the internet is the primary space where such complaints are voiced.”

If Lee Eok-ho remains passive, 100% of people will complain about taxes and other issues. They will then mobilize online to attack Lee Eok-ho.

“But if Councilman Lee Eok-ho repays that money to the government, the narrative changes.”

Even if he had a falling out with his son, people will perceive that he has fulfilled his responsibility to his child. Of course, the issue of reconciliation remains, but that’s a personal matter between them, not something that affects public taxes.

In other words, since there is no direct impact on their own taxes, it becomes someone else’s concern.

“And they can’t attack him on that basis.”

They also can’t criticize the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It would be unreasonable to argue that they shouldn’t rescue a citizen who has been captured by an organ trafficking organization.

“And since Lee Eok-ho isn’t taking the spotlight, someone else has to receive the credit. Certainly not me.”

His profession, a profiler, makes it difficult for him to step forward. Of course, he will if necessary, but there’s no need in this situation.

“Then who will get the credit?”

“Me… I suppose.”

It’s clear that Yoon Tae-min, the person who resolved this issue, will gain significant recognition.

“Why me specifically…?”

“At least Yoon Tae-min seems different from the diplomats I’ve encountered so far.”

“Different?”

“Yes, most diplomats would have attempted to force my hand by suppressing or overwhelming me with Lee Eok-ho’s influence, rather than trying to persuade me.”

That’s the typical behavior of diplomats. They often consider themselves superior and treat people like Park Do-joon as subordinates.

“But Yoon Tae-min doesn’t operate that way; he assesses situations rationally and appropriately determines who to empower. If someone like that rises in the ranks, at least the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will function more effectively, right?”

“Just because of that?”

“It’s not a simple matter. If the leadership is incompetent, the country is at risk.”

Park Do-joon spoke with a smile, but Yoon Tae-min couldn’t dismiss those words. In the Republic of Korea, which relies heavily on exports, diplomacy is crucial, and incompetent diplomats can destabilize the nation.

Wasn’t the country on the brink of collapse due to resource shortages not long ago?

“If you combine this achievement with your previous ones, you’ll likely be promoted to a very favorable position.”

‘And he’ll definitely become my man and listen to my ideas.’

Can’t influence those already in high positions? Then I’ll place my own people in those positions.

“Thank you.”

Yoon Tae-min seemed genuinely moved, even tearful.

Well, it’s not easy to hand over your accomplishments to someone else.

“No need to thank me.”

Park Do-joon grinned.

‘Because I’m planning to exploit you even more than that, hehehe.’

Yoon Tae-min, unaware of Park Do-joon’s true intentions, simply expressed his gratitude.

# The Standard of Stupidity

“How can I make it up to you?”

“What do you need to make up for?”

“No, the fact that I’m becoming the team leader…”

Jo Sang-gyu, the newly appointed team leader, said awkwardly. He had been promoted internally, but he still felt uneasy around Park Do-joon. After all, he was among those who ostracized Park Do-joon under Han Sung-gi’s influence.

“Let’s put the past behind us. It’s not our fault, is it?”

“Well, I still feel bad about it.”

“Don’t worry too much. Han Sung-gi is the one who was in the wrong, not Team Leader Jo.”

“I appreciate you seeing it that way.”

“By the way, what has Han Sung-gi been up to lately?”

At those words, Jo Sang-gyu scratched his head. The situation surrounding the last incident was quite complicated.

“Well, for now, it seems he’s still working under that bastard Hong Woo-jong.”

“Still?”

“There’s no concrete evidence that Wang Woo-hwan, or whatever his name was, actually worked there. There are some testimonies, but it’s impossible to gather additional proof.”

“That’s true.”

The individuals who were taken to China mentioned Wang Woo-hwan working for Hong Woo-jong, but further investigation was blocked by the Chinese government, who refused to allow interviews.

I expected as much. The Chinese government is extremely sensitive about having their shortcomings or failures exposed to the outside world.

“So, it’s impossible to conduct a thorough investigation of Hong Woo-jong.”

“Even if you investigate, you probably won’t find anything.”

Saying he ‘worked under’ him implies a clandestine relationship, not formal employment. In fact, Hong Woo-jong expressed considerable displeasure at the rumors themselves, and the police were actively suppressing them at his request.

“Wang Woo-hwan must have disappeared, leaving Han Sung-gi as the only useful asset, so he’ll likely maintain his position for the foreseeable future.”

“Yeah.”

Jo Sang-gyu responded awkwardly. Unlike Park Do-joon, he didn’t harbor any particular feelings for Han Sung-gi. That doesn’t excuse Han Sung-gi’s actions.

It’s just that Jo Sang-gyu, as a profiler, couldn’t shake the feeling that Han Sung-gi was aware of the situation but chose to ignore it. Once he realized that Han Sung-gi was concealing a crime, he couldn’t maintain their previous rapport.

“For now, we can’t touch Hong Woo-jong because of that. The only positive thing is that no new victims have been identified in Korea.”

Jo Sang-gyu sighed in relief.

“Those crazy bastards, what else do doctors have to do [referring to their ethical obligations]?”

As soon as the news broke, countless people rushed to hospitals. Over 200 people had started taking immunosuppressants in a short period.

It appeared the organ trafficking organization was attempting a large-scale operation, providing immunosuppressants for profit and then vanishing.

And it was revealed that the individuals providing consultations were indeed Chinese doctors.

Of course, they had already fled to China when they sensed they were in danger.

“I doubt China will extradite them.”

“Isn’t it enough that people were saved?”

More than 200 people. As a result, sterile rooms across the country were overwhelmed, creating chaos. Given the speed of these events, there could have been thousands of victims if the scheme had continued longer.

“For now, another team will handle that, so we have to step aside.”

Because of the scale of the case, the significant damages, and the involvement of powerful individuals, the government established a special investigation headquarters to focus exclusively on the matter.

The damages alone exceed 19 billion won.

“Well, it’s better to handle it properly.”

It’s unfortunate that Park Do-joon can’t be involved, but it’s probably better for the special investigation headquarters to take charge, as Park Do-joon can’t manage a case of this magnitude alone.

At least if they thoroughly investigate, it will be easier to track down the perpetrators.

“So, about that…”

“You’re saying you’re giving me another assignment, right? Don’t worry about it. I understand you’re not trying to exclude me.”

There’s no reason to do that now. Even I recognize that I can’t handle this case on my own.

“This case won’t be easy either.”

Jo Sang-gyu smiled wryly.

He then handed a case file to Park Do-joon.

“Is it a missing person case?”

“Yes, it’s a missing person case, but it’s going to be challenging. It’ll be difficult to get local cooperation.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s Shinan.”

Park Do-joon frowned at those words.

Shinan.

It was the area that Park Do-joon had disrupted during the salt farm slave scandal at the beginning of his career. There was even an attempt to transfer him there to get rid of him. And now they’re sending me back to that place?

“Ah, don’t misunderstand. We’re sending you because we genuinely have no other choice. The 담당 형사 [officer in charge] have all been replaced as well.”

“Well, even if they’re replaced, it’ll likely be the same.”

In reality, even with replacements, it’s unlikely they’d dismiss all the previous officers and hire completely new ones. Most of them would probably just be reassigned.

Of course, Park Do-joon, who had exposed the corruption there, wouldn’t be welcomed.

“There will be officers assigned from outside the area. This request came from one of them.”

“I still don’t think I’ll be able to get local assistance.”

In Shinan, the enslavement of disabled individuals is deeply ingrained, and the locals tend to conceal it, making it difficult to obtain relevant information.

“But why me specifically? You should send someone else.”

Regardless of the personnel changes, it’s still an uncomfortable situation.

At those words, Jo Sang-gyu smiled apologetically.

“They want someone who is familiar with the slave case. That’s you, plain and simple.”

“No, hasn’t that case been resolved yet?”

Park Do-joon was dumbfounded. The country was in uproar over it; how could it not be resolved?

“No, that’s not it. Of course, most of the local slave operations have been shut down. As of now.”

The police formed a special task force from other regions and conducted surprise raids on the salt farms, rescuing hundreds of people who were being held as slaves.

Profiler by trade