The Inspector Is Getting Promoted! [EN]: Chapter 183

Prosecutor, You’re Going Places! – Episode 184 (183/341)

Black Box (5)

-This is clearly a targeted investigation. They’re obviously trying to use this tragedy to build their careers and make a name for themselves.

On the TV screen, Kim Dong-ju, the representative of Mirs Airlines, pleaded as if he was wronged.

-In a situation where the whole nation should be working together to overcome this sorrow, aren’t they just eager to build their own achievements? The public should come together and…

Yoon Seol-ha crossed her arms and cautiously said,

“Mirs is putting up quite a resistance.”

“This is expected, so it’s fine.”

Mirs Airlines was bound to react this way.

We started investigating not only the recent crash but also raided all major departments of Mirs Airlines.

We even started investigating Kims Air, which could be considered their affiliate.

Since they aren’t a clean company, they knew they would be in trouble if they just stood by and watched, so they had to stop us at all costs.

Public opinion was split exactly in half.

Those in favor said that since Choi Seo-jun was leading the investigation, he must have a source and that we should wait and see.

However, those against it said they were uncomfortable with him trying to stand out and get promoted to chief prosecutor.

In fact, the opposition was being manipulated by the Daehan Party [one of the major political parties in South Korea] rather than being purely the opinion of the public.

Choi Gyu-hyun, who had been waiting for an opportunity, saw this as a chance to attack me.

He started with comment manipulation and poured so much into the media that he was able to shape public opinion in just one day, which was something only Choi Gyu-hyun could do.

Of course, the MinGuk Party [another major political party] was just watching because I didn’t ask for their help.

More than anything, the MinGuk Party was focused on the general election, which was only three days away, so they didn’t have the capacity to help me.

Yoon Seol-ha cautiously asked me,

“How should we respond?”

“We don’t need to respond.”

I said firmly.

“Does the prosecution ever explain its reasons within a day of starting an investigation?”

“Still, tomorrow is the day before the election, and when the media goes blind to the election, there will definitely be a flood of reports about us.”

“The more attention, the better.”

I smirked.

“The more attention the public pays, the greater the impact when the truth is revealed.”

“I’m saying this because I’m worried that the higher-ups might put pressure on you. It’s a sensitive time because of the general election.”

“Black box.”

I said, turning off the TV.

“If we find the black box, everything will be over.”

“Can we hold out until we find the black box?”

“I heard from CEO Shin Dong-hyun that the final coordinate tracking is imminent. Soon, other prosecutors will be drooling with envy at our monopoly on Mirs Airlines.”

“Tell the prosecutors not to worry about outside matters and to focus on the Mirs investigation.”

When I spoke firmly, she shook off her worries and bowed her head.

“Understood.”

***

The 22nd general election, which had been filled with intense media warfare, came to an end.

The elected lawmakers held parties in their respective districts last night and gathered at the Hill Consience Hotel to celebrate the victors.

Of course, I couldn’t miss this event, so I attended.

Unlike usual, today was a complete festive atmosphere.

That’s because the MinGuk Party had a huge victory in the general election.

253 seats in the local constituencies, 47 proportional representation seats. Out of a total of 300 seats, the MinGuk Party succeeded in securing a total of 151 seats.

This was the first time since the founding of the MinGuk Party that it had exceeded a majority, so there was nothing more to say.

Until now, the Daehan Party had always had more seats, but this was the first time they had reversed the situation, and this was on a different level.

Having more than half of the seats means that they can pass bills as much as they want.

In other words, they can control South Korea as they please.

Kyung Dong-soo had been doing a good job of politics and raising the public’s awareness of the MinGuk Party, but to be honest, the MinGuk Party’s victory was somewhat expected.

The inside story is complicated, but to put it simply, the MinGuk Party already had a leader in Kyung Dong-soo, so the lawmakers shared power equally, whereas the Daehan Party was pouring all its power into Choi Gyu-hyun.

In other words, they were moving to ensure that Choi Gyu-hyun would be elected in the next presidential election rather than focusing on the general election, which weakened their power in the general election.

Of course, whatever the inside story, the result was very sweet.

Even if they lost the next presidential election to the Daehan Party, they had created a situation where they could go half and half.

“Prosecutor Choi, you’ve worked hard.”

Assemblyman Jo Hyun-woong burst into a hearty laugh and approached me.

“No, I didn’t do anything.”

“Thanks to you shaking things up at the end, the Daehan Party couldn’t make a last-minute comeback.”

“I’m honored that you think so.”

He smiled and asked,

“There’s a lot of talk about the Mirs Airlines case these days… Is there anything I can help with?”

“Yes. It’s progressing smoothly.”

“Let me know if you need anything.”

“Understood. Thank you.”

Assemblyman Jo Hyun-woong switched to talking about my well-being with a warm smile.

“Is your son growing up well?”

“Yes. He’s talking a lot these days, so he might even call you uncle if he sees you.”

“Oh, I should go and give my nephew some pocket money soon.”

“Hahaha, you don’t have to give him pocket money, just come and see his face.”

“Good.”

At that moment, a familiar face approached from afar.

“Oh, our mayor is here?”

Sung Tae-hyun lightly brushed my shoulder and bowed to Jo Hyun-woong.

“Assemblyman, congratulations on your seventh term.”

“Hahaha, thank you, Mayor Sung.”

Jo Hyun-woong said happily.

“Did our Mayor Sung say he’s having a third child?”

“Yes. It looks like it will be a daughter this time.”

“A patriot, a patriot. Having three children in this day and age.”

“It’s not too late for you either, Assemblyman.”

Sung Tae-hyun waggled his eyebrows slyly.

“I heard that your strength is so great that young people can’t even compare.”

“Hey, you! Who said that?”

“All the women around here seem to know Assemblyman Jo?”

He grabbed the arm of one of the women passing by.

“What do you think of our Assemblyman Jo?”

“He’s hot-blooded!”

She winked suggestively at Assemblyman Jo Hyun-woong and moved away.

“This is embarrassing.”

Assemblyman Jo Hyun-woong scratched the back of his head, looking embarrassed.

“I’m just kidding. Have a good time. I’m going to go over there for a bit. A lot of new lawmakers have been elected in Seoul this general election, so I need to go and say hello to make a good impression.”

“It’s the opposite. Does it make sense for the mayor of Seoul to make a good impression?”

“Hahaha, I have no power. I’m just a scarecrow.”

Sung Tae-hyun smiled and winked at me.

“Then have a good time. And you too, Prosecutor.”

With those words, he moved away.

After exchanging brief greetings with a few more lawmakers who approached me, I cautiously brought up the topic after things had calmed down a bit.

“Assemblyman, now that the general election is over, should we talk about the presidential election?”

“Really?”

He looked around with a glint in his eyes.

“There are too many eyes here, let’s move inside.”

“Understood.”

I followed him into another room at the innermost part of the VIP room.

A large bed was placed in the corner, and a large sofa was placed in a U-shape in the center.

Unlike the open outside, it felt like a place designed to allow people to gather privately and have secret conversations.

“There was a space like this.”

“There’s no place better than here.”

Assemblyman Jo Hyun-woong smiled gently.

“Have a seat.”

“Yes.”

He sat on the sofa and opened a bottle of wine on the table, filling the glasses.

“Thank you.”

He tapped his glass lightly against mine, took a sip, and then opened his mouth.

“I was thinking of having a serious conversation with you after this general election, so I’m glad you brought it up first.”

“No. Of course, I have to talk to you, Assemblyman.”

I glared at him.

“Assemblyman Jo is the leading presidential candidate of the MinGuk Party.”

“Me?”

The corners of his mouth turned up.

“Hahaha, I’m glad you think so.”

Assemblyman Jo Hyun-woong laughed and nodded.

But soon, he got serious and got to the point.

“The Manse Party [a smaller political party] contacted me.”

“The Manse Party?”

“They suggested that we unify the candidates in the presidential election.”

Candidate unification.

Choi Gyu-hyun’s power is so great that the MinGuk Party and the Manse Party cannot be divided to face him.

Of course, judging from this general election alone, the unification of the presidential candidates will proceed in a direction that absorbs the Manse Party into us.

It’s a perfectly reasonable suggestion.

It is a very certain and effective way to increase the probability of winning.

But my answer was different.

“I don’t think you should accept that.”

Jo Hyun-woong’s pupils shook.

“Why?”

“The Manse Party only secured 23 seats in this general election. Their approval rating is not as high as you think. Even if we bring in that little bit of support, it won’t make a big difference.”

“Well…”

“And what if we win by unifying the candidates?”

I frowned and continued.

“They will try to interfere in state affairs at every turn. Our MinGuk Party has already secured 151 seats in this general election, and they will try to use that as well.”

“Those shameless Manse Party guys could definitely do that…”

“151 seats are enough to keep the president in check. Even if something goes wrong, the risk is low, but if we unify the candidates with the Manse Party, it will be a headache even if we win.”

Of course, this is just a plausible story to persuade Jo Hyun-woong.

There was another reason.

Frankly speaking, even if the MinGuk Party and the Manse Party run in the presidential election with a unified candidate, the probability of winning against Choi Gyu-hyun is low.

My guess is about 30%.

Of course, I think it will drop to 20% if we don’t unify.

If we only think about the presidential election, we should increase the probability by any means possible.

But I am not a member of the National Assembly belonging to a political party, but a prosecutor belonging to the state. In other words, a civil servant.

My position is different from that of politicians like Jo Hyun-woong.

What if Choi Gyu-hyun wins even after unifying the candidates?

That’s like putting wings on Choi Gyu-hyun’s shoulders.

If two opposition parties combined can’t beat Choi Gyu-hyun, that means he will have absolute power as president.

Then the path to my promotion will be blocked, which is obvious.

It’s not just the prosecutor general, but the probability of even becoming a chief prosecutor will be impossible.

If it’s going to happen anyway, we have to choose the lesser of two evils.

“If you’re going to be president, you have to have absolute power on your own. Isn’t that the pinnacle of true power, the president?”

When I instilled even more expectations in him, Assemblyman Jo Hyun-woong nodded as if he agreed with me.

“I think you’re right.”

He was already beyond fascinated by the enormous power of the presidency and began to be captivated by it.

If you’re a normal person, the moment you start coveting the position of president, your eyes will turn and it will be difficult to think normally.

That’s why the role of the strategist next to you is important.

However, it’s a little unfortunate that the person next to Jo Hyun-woong right now is me, Choi Seo-jun.

“Then it would be better to pretend to be testing the waters with the Manse Party and buy some time.”

“I think that would be good.”

“As expected, talking to Prosecutor Choi solves everything at once.”

I smiled lightly and picked up the wine bottle.

“Would you like another glass?”

“Good.”

Everything is going smoothly.

The general election was a complete victory, so all that’s left is the presidential election.

Even if Choi Gyu-hyun is elected, it is most important to take away his power.

I have to study that number from now on.

A divine move that can tear off Choi Gyu-hyun’s wings.

At that moment, my cell phone vibrated.

The caller was none other than Yoon Seol-ha.

If she called this late, it wouldn’t be a normal matter.

There shouldn’t be anything special about the Mirs Airlines investigation.

For some reason, I had a bad feeling.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

I turned my back on Jo Hyun-woong, moved to the corner, and picked up my cell phone.

“Yes, this is Choi Seo-jun.”

-Chief, have you seen the news?

Yoon Seol-ha’s urgent voice was coming from the other side of the phone.

“Is something wrong?”

-The Commissioner of the Korea Coast Guard is holding a press conference right now…

She hesitated and then struggled to continue.

-They say they are stopping the search for the crashed aircraft. They are not trying to gauge public reaction, but unilaterally declaring it.

When I heard her words, I couldn’t help but frown.

The excitement that had been building up until now was shattered in an instant.

“You mean they’re not going to look for the black box?”

-Yes. The government has announced that it has given up on tracking the aircraft itself.

If this happens, monopolizing the Mirs Airlines case will not be a monopoly, but a poison.

Damn it.

Things have gone wrong.