The Inspector Is Getting Promoted! [EN]: Chapter 10

Big Picture (3)

I personally gained access to the interrogation rooms of the prosecutors who had been sidelined to provincial posts after their time in the Economic Crimes Investigation Department.

This was permissible with the explicit consent of Deputy Chief Prosecutor Kim Seok-won, even though it technically fell outside the purview of the Office of the Inspector General.

The first prosecutor I approached was Jeong Won-ho, who had been demoted to Gyeongnam Province.

“I’m a friend of Yong-ho. You know Shin Yong-ho, right? The one assigned to the Boseong Branch?”

“Yes, I know him.”

Despite his demotion, Jeong Won-ho had once been aligned with Im Seong-jin’s inner circle. He wasn’t going to be an easy pushover.

However, Jeong Won-ho was the one in a desperate situation, not me.

“Let’s be blunt. You skimmed off the top a few times when you were with the Economic Crimes Investigation Department, didn’t you? That’s why you were demoted.”

He didn’t answer, offering only an awkward smile.

“Either way, there’s no video or audio recording happening right now. Feel free to speak freely.”

Jeong Won-ho subtly checked under the table to confirm that the recording function was indeed inactive.

To further reassure him, I pointed to the one-way mirror [a mirror that is reflective on one side and transparent on the other] beside him and added, “There’s no one behind the double glazing either. You and I are the only ones privy to this conversation.”

Only then did he visibly relax, letting out a deep breath.

“Haa, it’s not just me; everyone does it. Yong-ho too, and Hee-joo as well.”

“Considering the minor infractions you’ve already been penalized for with your demotion, we won’t hold you further responsible.”

First, the carrot.

I started by alleviating his anxieties.

As expected, Jeong Won-ho’s face brightened.

“Will you testify about Chief Prosecutor Im Seong-jin’s corruption?”

“That would be difficult.”

He said it with a candid expression.

“You know his personality. If he somehow survives… Ugh. We’re dead meat that day.”

As expected, he wouldn’t talk unless I wielded the stick.

“Did you see Im Seong-jin’s media stunt regarding the bribery charges?”

“I saw it. That’s why I’m being investigated like this now.”

“For the bribery charges that have already been revealed, you won’t be punished any further because of the principle of double jeopardy [a legal principle preventing someone from being tried twice for the same crime after an acquittal or conviction]. But…”

I handed him a file I had placed on the table.

This time, it was the stick.

“If there’s any additional bribery you’ve received, it’ll be hard to cover it up.”

When someone is overly content with their current life, a threat to that life has the greatest impact.

“Excuse me?”

Unlike his previously relieved demeanor, Prosecutor Jeong Won-ho opened the file with wide eyes, as if struck by lightning.

“W-What is this…”

The flustered energy didn’t leave his face as he examined the documents.

Of course, he’d be surprised.

It was a document that the Economic Crimes Investigation Department had started compiling to pin the bribes they took on Jeong Won-ho and the demoted prosecutors, but I had personally completed the file that had been abandoned midway.

Of course, I didn’t bother writing everything.

Just one page.

One impactful page would be enough to persuade those who were cornered.

“No. I’ve never taken anything like this. This is the Economic Crimes Investigation Department’s entire bribe. What I took isn’t even a tenth of what’s in here.”

However, I explained with a cold expression, “This is just a small part. These documents indicate that you, Han Hee-joo, and Shin Yong-ho received bribes. This came from the Economic Crimes Investigation Department.”

“No. They’re trying to pass the bribery charges on to us and get away with it. You know, there’s no way Prosecutor Shin Yong-ho would have done this much.”

“Regardless of what I think, this is the data we seized during the search and seizure. This will be used as evidence in court.”

Only then did Prosecutor Jeong Won-ho speak in a desperate voice.

“Yong-ho, what does Yong-ho say?”

He looked at me with pleading eyes, but I shattered his hopes.

“That friend is the first internal whistleblower.”

Jeong Won-ho wore a look of utter despair.

He could probably guess what kind of special treatment Shin Yong-ho would receive.

Jeong Won-ho, realizing that his position as a prosecutor, which he thought he had secured even in the provinces, was now in jeopardy, must have started to sweat bullets.

Okay.

Now he only has one choice.

“I know, of course, that Yong-ho wouldn’t do this. That’s why I’m talking to you now.”

Leaning forward, I made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.

“If we continue like this, you’ll have no choice but to take the blame. The three of you must testify together and point to Im Seong-jin as the main culprit. That’s the only way you can get out.”

“Im Seong-jin, that son of a bitch…”

His curse grazed my ears.

I could tell he was already more than 70% on board.

“But what if Im Seong-jin makes a comeback…”

I said firmly to him, who was worried, “Choose. Are you going to wait for the pirate ship that abandoned you on a deserted island and starve to death, or are you going to board the righteous warship that will sink that pirate ship?”

Unless he’s an idiot, there’s only one choice.

If he stays put, he’ll be blamed for the Economic Crimes Investigation Department’s bribery charges and be kicked to the curb.

“…Damn it, I’ll testify.”

***

Han Hee-joo had the same reaction.

When it seemed like she could survive by staying silent, she claimed it would be difficult to testify, but when threatened, she immediately sided with us. A very fitting reaction for someone from Im Seong-jin’s circle.

The situation unfolded more smoothly than I had anticipated.

Initially, Chief Prosecutor Im Seong-jin struggled to extricate himself, but with the abundance of prepared data, the situation evolved to the point where he was no longer seeking help from higher-ups but instead looking for members of the Economic Crimes Investigation Department to blame.

However, Im Seong-jin lacked a loyal subordinate willing to take responsibility for everything, so the first summons date arrived without the situation being resolved.

Most of the prosecutors in the department attended, but Im Seong-jin, the most crucial figure, and his right-hand man, Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jo Won-hyung, did not respond to the summons.

“He didn’t even attend the first summons?” Deputy Chief Prosecutor Kim Seok-won asked, seemingly dumbfounded.

“Yes. When I checked with the Central District Prosecutor’s Office, Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jo Won-hyung had taken sick leave that day. Im Seong-jin took a monthly leave.”

“Those bastards, aren’t they trying to push it onto each other? It’s either you die or I die.”

“That seems to be the case,” Deputy Chief Prosecutor Park Seung-soo said with a sneer.

“I don’t know why he tried to get out of it with media spin. Thanks to that, the public and the media’s attention are focused here, so he can’t get out smoothly, can he?”

“If it weren’t for that, the Chief Prosecutor would have used his power. He was short-sighted because he was cornered. That’s why there’s no pressure from the Chief Prosecutor or the higher-ups. Im Seong-jin has probably been abandoned now.”

Abandoned.

Then, will Im Seong-jin’s life end here?

However, concerned about the future internet article I had seen in the text message, I asked Kim Seok-won, “With the current evidence, if Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jo Won-hyung takes responsibility, can Im Seong-jin survive?”

“That’s right. Because there’s no clear evidence against Im Seong-jin. At best, it’s just the testimony of the demoted prosecutors, but since there’s no physical evidence, it’s hard to force him out of his position based solely on that.”

“Then, even if Im Seong-jin survives, can we say that his career is over?”

“That’s probably not the case. People in this world are very cunning. Even if they’re abandoned when they’re on their last legs, if they survive, they’ll be welcomed back, hailed as ‘my baby, our side.’ The Chief Prosecutor will likely pretend not to know, but if Im Seong-jin isn’t completely cut off, he’ll take him back under his wing.”

From Im Seong-jin’s perspective, he won’t be able to survive unless he’s in the Chief Prosecutor’s camp, so even if he resents him, he’ll have to return.

It’s a truly cruel world.

At that moment, Deputy Chief Prosecutor Park Seung-soo, as if remembering something, said with a glint in his eye, “If this continues without an agreement, won’t they both be ruined?”

“That’s right. First of all, Jo Won-hyung will definitely be sacrificed. But no matter how much he’s a disowned child, the Chief Prosecutor doesn’t want to see Im Seong-jin completely destroyed, so he’ll use his influence at the last minute, and that guy will probably just be demoted.”

There’s no need to elaborate on the fate of the other prosecutors.

They will resign before the case escalates.

If they stubbornly hold on and are ultimately fired, it will be difficult to establish a successful law practice later.

If they submit their resignation before the case concludes, they can secure a position at a regular law firm by leveraging their background as former prosecutors, even if it’s not a prestigious one.

Even if they resign after being involved in corruption, it still translates to a hundred million won salary.

Being a prosecutor is a damn good job.

***

“What do you think of the current situation?” Unlike before, Im Seong-jin asked with a face noticeably etched with worry.

“The atmosphere is unsettling. It seems difficult to contain the situation effectively.”

“So, Deputy Chief Jo, what should we do in this case?”

Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jo Won-hyung couldn’t discern what answer Im Seong-jin was seeking, so he remained silent.

After a moment, Im Seong-jin addressed him in a seemingly friendly tone.

“Deputy Chief Jo. No, Won-hyung.”

It was the first time.

In the seven years since he had met Im Seong-jin, he had always been addressed as Jo Prosecutor or Jo Deputy Chief, never by his given name.

The voice was soft, but devoid of warmth.

Instead, it amplified the anxiety.

Im Seong-jin spoke quietly, betraying no emotion.

“You take it all.”

“Excuse me?”

It was a completely unexpected proposition.

He had toiled like a dog by his side and endured, only to be abandoned in the end.

However, before the shock could subside, Im Seong-jin delivered the final blow.

“I’ll take good care of your wife and Su-jeong.”

Jo Won-hyung gritted his teeth.

This wasn’t a mere suggestion to be exiled to the provinces.

It was a directive to sacrifice his entire life, bearing all the blame.

“If you take responsibility and step down, it can end here. But if you try to fight it? Not only will all the subordinates under you be ruined, but I’ll be destroyed too. Will it end there? No. It could even implicate the Chief Prosecutor. If it accidentally reaches the assemblyman… it’s a fate worse than death.”

“Chief, but if a child grows up without a father…” Jo Won-hyung continued, unable to lift his head.

“My wife is already struggling, and I don’t think it’s right to do that to my child. I’m sorry.”

As soon as he refused,

“Jo Won-hyung.”

Unlike a moment ago, Im Seong-jin’s voice, which had rapidly turned cold, echoed in the office.

“Do you want to show your daughter her father living in prison?”

“…”

“Sometimes, dying may be better than living.”

Jo Won-hyung clenched his fist and lowered his head.

Im Seong-jin shook him again with a gentle voice.

“I’ll take responsibility for sending Su-jeong to college. I’ll contribute generously to child support… No, I’ll guarantee that she can live more comfortably than she does now. I can be a father figure instead. Su-jeong’s hospital bills are substantial because of her leukemia. If this case is resolved, she’ll receive VIP treatment at a specialized hospital.”

“But, Chief…” He raised his face, his eyes red.

“My wife, who married me and has lived with me until now, will hear the news that I’m gone…”

Im Seong-jin, realizing that he wouldn’t be persuaded this way, adopted a murderous tone.

“You know that the statute of limitations for your wife’s past transgression is still in effect, right?”

At that one sentence, Jo Won-hyung’s words were cut off.

“Let’s not all end up covered in blood. It only needs to be you. I can clean everything up neatly.”

Jo Won-hyung could no longer refuse.

It was true that Im Seong-jin had covered up the charges related to a mistake his wife had made before they met.

Even if it comes to light while he’s holding the position of Deputy Chief Prosecutor, it would likely result in a suspended sentence.

However, if it surfaces when he’s unable to maintain his current position due to this case, it would mean at least imprisonment.

No matter how much he wanted to protect them, he couldn’t bear to see his wife and daughter suffer.

“How are you going to show your daughter that her parents are both serving sentences? One of them has to live.”