My Calling Is Profiler [EN]: Chapter 477

“Unspoken grievances always exist.”

But accepting that reality personally is another matter entirely. The core issue is that Daeguk Group offers no real outlet or support system to address these grievances.

“Daeguk Group is notorious for its lack of employee support, both in terms of oversight and mental well-being.”

This was true in the past and remains so today. Even Chairman Hong Geun-jong’s own son felt expendable, viewing relentless pressure as the norm.

Was there any genuine psychological support for the employees?

‘Of course not.’

Inevitably, dissatisfaction would fester and grow.

“But these people are also deeply afraid.”

An inferiority complex is at the root of it. They worked diligently and achieved a degree of success, but simultaneously, this complex prevents them from venturing out and pursuing new paths.

“They harbor resentment but lack solutions. Eventually, it transforms into anger. They experience a sense of betrayal, feeling exploited by the very organization they belong to.”

And that sense of betrayal is often the catalyst. In fact, a common thread among those who betrayed the company was the feeling of not being adequately valued or recognized.

“And even with hard work, recognition isn’t readily apparent, especially in an environment like this.”

These individuals spend more time at work than they do at home. Even with dedicated effort, tangible recognition is often elusive.

“Were you deceiving us from the beginning?”

“From the start, isn’t it more problematic if you fail to recognize such a basic tactic? Realistically, there’s a strong indication that the NIS [National Intelligence Service, South Korea’s primary intelligence agency] is aware but choosing to ignore it.”

“What?”

Yoo In-hye was momentarily stunned by his words. But the following statement only deepened her confusion.

“Do you believe there are no industrial espionage specialists within the NIS?”

“Well……”

“If there weren’t, how could they have ever prevented technology from being transferred to China?”

“……”

Of course, they couldn’t have stopped it, and the technology would have ended up in China.

“The NIS is likely deliberately overlooking it internally.”

“What do you take our NIS for!”

“Dedication to the country, striving for the light from the shadows—noble ideals, certainly. But you seem to have forgotten that the NIS itself is also a self-serving entity.”

“No, everyone is sincerely devoted to the country……!”

But Yoo In-hye was rendered speechless by his next words.

“Everything comes to an end. There’s a line from a movie: ‘Loyalty also has its limits. Once it’s exhausted, all that remains is you.’”

“……”

“Of course, you and your classmates probably feel differently.”

Because you’re still rookie agents, brimming with patriotism.

“But not those above you. Even if you charitably assume the NIS isn’t purely self-serving, most humans will prioritize their own interests above all else.”

They’re likely to turn a blind eye to corruption or secrets to safeguard their positions and interests. Even numerous human rights organizations, while doing good, often pursue higher salaries, greater political influence, and elevated positions.

“Civilian surveillance, fabrication of spies, leakage of information abroad, etc.…… Is this the fruit of loyalty?”

Yoo In-hye was speechless. This isn’t just a problem from decades past; it’s a recent one. Didn’t the NIS recently face criticism for spying on union members?

“Are you suggesting someone is selling information to China?”

“No, at least not in this instance.”

If that were the case, they would have been apprehended before the data was transferred.

“But from what I can see, they aren’t trying to directly hand it over to China, but rather turning a blind eye despite knowing. They likely intend to catch them all at once.”

“Catch them all at once?”

“It’s a common tactic among the police.”

They strive to eradicate crime, but it’s a difficult battle. Especially with drugs, even when offenders are caught, it’s usually just the small-time dealers. That’s why police sometimes allow drug offenders to operate, waiting for them to connect with someone higher up.

“How do you know all this?”

“First, I’m under surveillance. Second, the industrial espionage specialists haven’t apprehended the culprit. Third, I haven’t been formally interrogated even once.”

Typically, even if the purpose is surveillance, they frame it as cooperation externally. But Park Do-joon is clearly being monitored, and Yoo In-hye didn’t deny it.

“If you had simply stated I was a subject of cooperation, you wouldn’t have admitted I was under surveillance.”

Yoo In-hye flinched. That’s precisely what happened. From the outset, stating he was under surveillance was a form of pressure.

“The difference is significant.”

“Significant?”

“Because if I’m under surveillance, it’s inherently intimidating.”

Not a subject of cooperation, but a subject of surveillance. This puts pressure on the police, forcing them to investigate meticulously, which inevitably slows down the investigation and compromises its thoroughness.

“Second, the industrial espionage agents still haven’t caught the culprit. Do you think I’m ignorant of the NIS’s methods?”

The NIS operates differently from the police. The police will pursue even minor offenders if necessary, but the NIS tends to prioritize the big fish, even if it means accepting some collateral damage.

“That’s the fundamental flaw with intelligence agencies, including the NIS.”

The sacrifice of the few for the benefit of the many. They take it for granted and use it as a tool.

“Finally, a proper investigation hasn’t been conducted.”

“But the researchers have already been investigated……”

“Do you think an NIS investigation is that superficial?”

The NIS investigates down to the in-laws and distant relatives. Merely questioning the researchers briefly and concluding the matter? That’s highly improbable.

“And most decisively, Yoo In-hye is a newly assigned agent specifically for monitoring me. Usually, they would continue surveillance using existing personnel. The fact that they assigned you suggests the NIS anticipates I won’t catch the culprit.”

“What?”

“Do you think I’m the only one under surveillance? You’re naive.”

While monitoring him, they must also be monitoring the researchers. If Park Do-joon uncovers a lead and identifies the true culprit, it will naturally be passed on to the NIS.

And to confirm any abnormal behavior, there must be someone familiar with the individuals in question.

“Furthermore, do you believe those security personnel would passively allow police involvement without their knowledge? That’s unlikely.”

Of course, Park Do-joon became involved in the case at Hong Geun-jong’s request. But an agency like the NIS could easily dissuade Hong Geun-jong and prevent police involvement in their case. Yet, the NIS is allowing him to proceed and even subtly displaying clumsy behavior.

“They probably think I’ll fail.”

More accurately, they want him to fail. And because of that, they hope the spy ring will make a move, allowing them to apprehend everyone at once.

“That……”

Yoo In-hye couldn’t conceal her embarrassment, never having considered that they would analyze even the NIS, whom she considered allies. A whirlwind of conflicting thoughts raced through her mind.

‘I thought I was a discardable piece, but…’

She never imagined they would deliberately set her up for complete failure. Yet, her ingrained loyalty to the NIS made her resist the notion.

“Then shouldn’t you fail?”

If they can eliminate the entire spy ring in one fell swoop, shouldn’t they accept a minor loss? She found herself thinking along those lines.

In the end, is she just another NIS agent? Park Do-joon clicked his tongue as he observed Yoo In-hye.

“The Chinese operatives have already fled.”

Of course, if they aren’t apprehended, they will eventually return and re-establish contact. And the NIS will be waiting for that moment.

‘But that’s the NIS’s problem.’

Someone within the NIS might see it as an opportunity for promotion if they dismantle the ring at that point, but for Daeguk Group and Korea, the potential for losses is significant.

‘The notion that personal interests ultimately serve the country is a fallacy.’

Personal interests remain just that—personal interests. In fact, countless police officers cover up or even fabricate cases to advance their careers, so there’s no reason to believe it wouldn’t happen within the NIS.

‘Even if 99% of NIS agents are clean, it only takes 1% to be corrupt to jeopardize the country.’

Park Do-joon, having worked with the NIS in the past, harbored a deep distrust of the agency. He had witnessed countless instances of agents neglecting cases for personal gain or disregarding his profiling, even when submitted.

“Tell the NIS to apprehend the individuals who return later. I need to catch these guys now.”

“But how can you determine which of these four is the culprit?”

“Probably.”

Park Do-joon paused, considering the matter, then handed over the data of two individuals.

“It’s likely one of these two.”

One was a researcher, and the other was a programmer. This combination certainly possessed the skills to steal the data undetected, given their expertise.

“It’s difficult to suspect them without any concrete evidence.”

“Profilers never have absolute certainty to begin with.”

Profiling is about the process. And that process is scientifically analyzed to create a profile. But there are always variables and anomalies, so definitive answers are impossible.

“From the start, the answer was contained within the first document you provided.”

“What?”

The initial financial analysis document that yielded nothing. The answer was hidden within that?

“However, until now, it was simply a process of building confidence based on that initial clue.”

“Confidence?”

“Yes, in fact, the public investigation was also designed to provoke these two individuals from the beginning.”

“What did the two of them do?”

Even the NIS couldn’t identify the two, especially with just the financial details. But he knew from the very beginning.

“They took a taxi.”

“……What?”

Yoo In-hye stared at Park Do-joon in disbelief. Taking a taxi is the biggest suspicion that they are the culprit. How many people in the world take taxis? No, it’s rarer not to take a taxi in the first place.

But Park Do-joon focused on that fact and couldn’t help but be seriously concerned about the state of the NIS.

‘Even if it’s rotten, it’s still crucian carp, but this is far from crucian carp…….’ [Even if something is bad, it still has some value, but this is worthless.]

Intelligence agencies must gather information and identify cases or targets based on that. But they were showing too openly that their collection ability was lacking.

“A taxi doesn’t simply mean they took something and moved.”