The Inspector Is Getting Promoted! [EN]: Chapter 241

“Prosecutor, Your Success!-241

Karma (5)

“Mr. President.”

“…….”

Chief of Staff Jung Seung-min called out to Choi Gyu-hyun, but he did not respond.

Although the impeachment motion had been initiated, seemingly calming things down, a staggering 1.2 million citizens gathered in Gwanghwamun Square for the 7th candlelight vigil.

Furthermore, the internal unity of the Korea Party was shattered beyond repair.

In the end, Choi Gyu-hyun realized that he had no more room to retreat, nor the strength to endure.

“Seung-min.”

“Yes, Mr. President.”

“You’ve worked hard.”

Choi Gyu-hyun’s resigned voice pierced Jung Seung-min’s heart.

His chest tightened, but he gritted his teeth and held back his tears.

Choi Gyu-hyun smiled faintly, as if giving up.

“We’ve lost.”

“……Mr. President.”

“Prepare a press conference.”

Jung Seung-min eventually covered his face and replied.

“……Understood.”

***

August 11, 2026.

President Choi Gyu-hyun appeared before the reporters himself.

“Hello, citizens. This is President Choi Gyu-hyun.”

Civilians were kept under control, so the interior was quiet, but the reporters were silently cursing at Choi Gyu-hyun with their eyes.

“I have thought long and hard, and I have come to realize and acknowledge that I have made many mistakes.”

Choi Gyu-hyun squeezed his eyes shut and opened his mouth with difficulty.

“I humbly accept the public opinion, and I hereby announce that I will step down from the presidency and reflect on my actions.”

Shuttering sounds echoed.

Along with the whirring of film, flashes erupted everywhere.

The scene was broadcast live across the country, and the citizens who watched it savored the victory of the common people.

***

Prime Minister Ha Tae-won ascended as the acting president.

Choi Gyu-hyun’s right-hand man, and a figure dyed to the bone with the colors of the Korea Party.

However, Ha Tae-won could not exert his will.

He had witnessed the will of the people with his own eyes through the seven candlelight vigils, so now was the time to lie low.

Since Ha Tae-won had been mentioned as a new presidential candidate nominated by the Korea Party from the time the impeachment was discussed, he made it his top priority to win the hearts of the people during his term as acting president.

Therefore, the first thing he did upon taking office was:

“I will reinstate all 46 prosecutors and 78 prosecution officials, including Chief Prosecutor Choi Seo-jun, who was dismissed from his position at the Central District Prosecutors’ Office.”

It was our reinstatement.

The guy who was Choi Gyu-hyun’s right-hand man was now giving me, the one who ousted Choi Gyu-hyun, power again.

In fact, this was nothing more than Choi Gyu-hyun’s karma [the principle of cause and effect where actions influence one’s future].

Years ago, Choi Gyu-hyun, who was then the Prime Minister, had abandoned Kwon Jae-cheol, who was like his master, after Kwon Jae-cheol was impeached, revealing his ambition for the presidency as acting president.

In the end, he suffered the same fate, coming full circle.

From my perspective, I couldn’t help but laugh.

I asked Yoon Seol-ha with a smile on my face.

“What’s the presidential election schedule?”

I leaned away from the chair and looked at her.

“The related laws must have changed a bit after President Kwon Jae-cheol’s impeachment last time.”

Yoon Seol-ha answered while looking at the report.

“Yes. First of all, although the impeachment motion was initiated, the president himself stepped down, so the period of transferring to the Constitutional Court has been omitted. According to the revised law, after a 90-day preparation period from the date of resignation, the official election preparation period will begin on November 9th. A 15-day grace period is given in consideration of candidate registration and party primaries, and the election campaign period will unfold for exactly 23 days from November 24th.”

“So, December 16th will be the presidential election day.”

“That’s right. Since the presidential seat is vacant, if the election is confirmed, the president will immediately assume office from December 17th.”

“I see.”

I took a deep breath and said to her.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Yoon Seol-ha wore a faint smile on her face.

“It’s nothing. You’ve had a lot on your mind, Chief Prosecutor.”

“Now, there’s only one thing left.”

We could understand each other without saying it.

The presidential election.

If we get Sung Tae-hyun elected as president in this election, everything will be over.

“Oh, right. That doesn’t mean you should neglect your main duties.”

“You mean…….”

“Your duties as a prosecutor.”

I said with a glint in my eyes.

“Submit indictments to the court for Choi Gyu-hyun, Jung Seung-min, Park Jae-pil, and the teacher, the director, and the doctor who caused the medical accident. Just because the president was impeached doesn’t mean that the others involved will have a reason to avoid punishment. All those involved in this case must pay the price for their crimes.”

“Understood.”

Yoon Seol-ha bowed her head and carefully asked.

“I have a personal question, may I ask?”

“Go ahead.”

“What happened to Song Jae-hoon PD [Production Director] and Park Su-hyung, who first broke this story?”

“They both got reinstated. We’re planning to have a celebratory drink tonight.”

“That’s a relief.”

She smiled and took a step back.

“Then I’ll report back when the work is done.”

“Yes.”

Just as Yoon Seol-ha was about to leave after finishing her conversation with me.

Knock knock.

A knock was heard.

“Oh, come in.”

As the door opened, the first thing I heard was Yoon Seol-ha’s surprised voice.

“Chief!”

Surprised by her welcoming voice, I raised my head and saw Chief Lee Doo-hyung, whom I hadn’t seen in a while, standing at the entrance, neatly dressed in a suit.

“Hello, Chief Prosecutor.”

He said in a strong voice, looking more handsome than before.

“Prosecutor Lee Doo-hyung, reporting for duty after a long time.”

I jumped up from my seat and approached him.

Then, I opened my arms wide and embraced him.

“Welcome back.”

I patted him on the back.

Lee Doo-hyung said playfully.

“Chief Prosecutor, you seem to have become much softer in the past two months.”

“Whose fault is that?”

“Don’t say it’s me. I’ll be too embarrassed to even lift my head.”

“Hahahaha. Alright.”

I let him go and said to Yoon Seol-ha.

“Seol-ha, I’m sorry, but could you make us a cup of coffee?”

“Yes, of course.”

After Yoon Seol-ha brought the coffee, I sat facing Lee Doo-hyung on the sofa.

“Is it the first time we’ve seen each other in two months?”

“Yes. Exactly two months and a bit more.”

“Have you sorted out your feelings?”

He smiled bitterly.

“I still think about it from time to time. I don’t think it will fade easily.”

Lee Doo-hyung soon shook his head.

“But I think it’s fortunate that my third child was born. I’ve been living so busy every day that time has passed.”

“Oh, really? Wasn’t your youngest due date a while ago?”

“That’s right. He was born very healthy.”

“Congratulations, Doo-hyung.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ve been so busy that I couldn’t even go…….”

“No, I’ve been watching on TV how busy you are and the great things you’ve done, Chief Prosecutor. I was even more grateful for that.”

“I’m grateful that you say that.”

I took a sip of coffee and asked about his family.

“How’s your wife doing?”

“Yes. She came out of the postpartum care center a while ago, and I stopped her from wanting to come with me to see you, Chief Prosecutor.”

“Okay. I’ll buy some clothes for the youngest one later and go to your house myself.”

“I won’t refuse.”

“Okay, anyway…….”

I put down my coffee cup and carefully brought up the topic.

“You should get reinstated too.”

“Are you accepting me?”

“Accepting you? What are you talking about? Should I bow down and thank you for coming?”

“Hahahaha, no.”

He put his hands together and said to me as if he had made up his mind.

“Since my son was born, I’ll take another month of paternity leave. Can I come back from September?”

I reached out my hand to him.

“Let’s see each other in September.”

Lee Doo-hyung grabbed my hand with both hands and smiled brightly.

“Thank you, Chief Prosecutor.”

***

Line [likely refers to a specific department or team within the Prosecutor’s Office] was busier than ever when I visited after a long time.

Everyone had to move quickly due to the new power structure that would change with Choi Gyu-hyun’s resignation.

However, even in the midst of that busyness, no one frowned.

Everyone was smiling brightly with a look of joy on their faces.

That’s because the chances of the 23rd president coming from the MinKook Party were very high because of this incident.

No, it was almost certain.

Even in this bright atmosphere, the one standing at the center of many people’s attention like the main character was.

“Mayor, it’s been a while.”

It was Sung Tae-hyun.

“Prosecutor!”

He greeted me happily and shook my hand.

“It’s been a long time.”

“Have you been well?”

“Of course. How can it be so hard to see each other when we’re family?”

“I’m sorry. The prosecution work is so busy.”

“Oh, no need to be sorry. You’ve done a great job.”

He continued in a friendly voice.

“I’ve only heard about you through Ji-soo, but I’m glad to see that you look good.”

Sung Tae-hyun smiled brightly and guided me to one side.

“Let’s talk inside.”

“Yes.”

After moving to a corner where others couldn’t hear the conversation, Sung Tae-hyun spoke first.

“You’ve worked hard.”

“It’s nothing.”

I joked.

“I’ve prepared a place for our brother-in-law. Shouldn’t you go to that vacant position now?”

I raised my eyebrows and added a word.

“President-elect.”

“Hahahaha!”

He burst into hearty laughter.

“I’ll have to repay you for this.”

“I don’t want much.”

Sung Tae-hyun also smiled slyly and joked.

“There aren’t many talented prosecutors these days. There’s no one to appoint as Prosecutor General……. How about our brother taking on the role?”

“Are other people avoiding the position?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I have no choice then. I’ll have to take it on.”

We all burst out laughing.

When the laughter subsided, Sung Tae-hyun carefully opened his mouth.

“By the way, I’ve looked into it a bit, and I don’t think it will be easy to appoint a Prosecutor General immediately after the president takes office.”

“Are you worried about the appointment qualification requirements?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

The appointment requirement for the Prosecutor General is a person who has devoted himself to the legal profession for at least 15 years while holding a position such as a judge, prosecutor, or lawyer.

However, this year is my 13th year, and even if the new year of 2027 dawns, I will only have 13 years of experience.

I’m 2 years short of being appointed as Prosecutor General.

It was obvious, but there was no way I wouldn’t know this.

That’s why I had thought about all the possibilities and made a plan.

If you were an ordinary person, you would think that the general route is to work at the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office or the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, fill 15 years, and then go to the Prosecutor General.

However, I couldn’t wait any longer.

I was so thirsty for the position of Prosecutor General that it was hard to bear.

Above all, if Sung Tae-hyun is elected in this presidential election, it can be said that I contributed 90% to making him president.

That’s why I didn’t want to wait 2 more years.

I wanted to stand at the top of this field as Prosecutor General at the same time as his presidential duties began.

After that, my goal and dream was to take a break for about a year, then work as Minister of Justice for another 2 years, and then retire with Sung Tae-hyun.

To make this a reality, I had to revise the law.

And I had been preparing step by step to make it happen, and it was about to be realized.

The summit was beginning to appear before my eyes.

“Don’t worry about the appointment requirements. I’ll take care of it.”

Sung Tae-hyun couldn’t hide his surprised expression.

“Then can I appoint you as Prosecutor General immediately after I’m elected?”

“That’s right. The brother-in-law becomes the president, and I become the Prosecutor General, ruling Korea.”

I twisted the corners of my mouth with all my might and said.

“Don’t worry about anything else, brother-in-law. Just think about getting elected president. That’s all you have to think about.”

“Understood.”

He smiled brightly and nodded his head.

“Let’s reach the top together.”