The Inspector Is Getting Promoted! [EN]: Chapter 272

Prosecutor, You’re Going Places! – Episode 272

The Minimum of Justice (3)

Assemblyman Kim Kang-jin straightened his posture and asked,

“Are you saying I can interpret that as Prosecutor Choi wanting to return to the Korea Party?”

“‘Return’ is too grand a word.”

I shrugged and continued,

“I hope you’ll take it as me saying we should work together to shape the future.”

I gave a faint smile.

“Right now, I’m too busy with the regular session of the National Assembly.”

There’s no need to fully commit to the Korea Party just yet.

I’m the only one holding the casting vote in the current National Assembly.

I need to take advantage of this as much as possible to profit from both sides.

However, it’s not just about testing the waters; it’s about mostly aligning with the Korea Party to benefit together.

This implies that if I like what the Korea Party does, I might bring the congressmen I have with me into their fold.

He understood the meaning of my words immediately.

“I understand what you’re saying.”

Assemblyman Kim Kang-jin raised his eyebrows and said,

“I’ll do my best to improve Prosecutor Choi’s image within the Korea Party. In a very impressive way.”

“Thank you.”

“And while we’re on the subject, I’d like to talk about the regular session of the National Assembly.”

“Yes, of course.”

“I know you’ve been helping the Korea Party a lot so far.”

It’s the same topic as when we talked on the phone, but with a completely different attitude.

That’s right. Politicians must be good at changing their stance to survive in turbulent times.

“I’m just grateful that you recognize it.”

“If you need anything, feel free to tell me anytime. I’ll help.”

“Thank you. As befitting the leader of the party, you have a firm grip on the Korea Party’s congressmen, which is reassuring to hear.”

“Hahahaha.”

Assemblyman Kim Kang-jin waved his hand.

“No, no.”

He said no with his mouth, but he couldn’t hide the corners of his mouth from rising.

I leaned back on the sofa and said again,

“The minor benefits are enough to be shared among you, the Korea Party, and the congressmen I have.”

“Then what about you?”

“I’m envisioning a very big picture.”

His eyes sparkled again.

“This is intriguing.”

“We need to look far ahead. There’s a lot to gain from this regular session of the National Assembly, but minor gains alone won’t satisfy me.”

“Tell me what you want.”

I paused for a moment before opening my mouth.

“Help me out next time.”

“Next time…….”

He slightly curved the corners of his lips.

“They say the scariest thing in politics is promising ‘next time’.”

I smiled slyly.

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Although I don’t know when it will be.”

Assemblyman Kim Kang-jin slowly nodded.

“I’ll join you.”

His eyes narrowed slyly.

“That way, you’ll put your heart into the Korea Party.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

Assemblyman Kim Kang-jin reached out to me.

“For the day we reunite in the Korea Party.”

“It won’t be long.”

I firmly grasped his hand.

***

Jincheon National Training Center in Chungcheongbuk-do [a province in South Korea].

A man in a black suit, out of place in a place where sportswear is the norm, came to visit.

Knock knock.

“Is athlete Lim Jeong-hwan inside?”

Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook carefully entered.

“That’s me… Who are you?”

Seeing the man who turned his head at the sound of someone looking for him, Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook breathed a sigh of relief.

“Ah, I’ve come to the right place.”

He showed his prosecutor’s identification card and said,

“I’m Gong Sang-wook, a prosecutor from the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office.”

“……A prosecutor?”

“Can you spare some time? I have something important to tell you.”

***

“Do you smoke?”

“No. I’m terrible at sports, and most athletes are…….”

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook took out a cigarette but put it back in his pocket.

“But what brings a prosecutor here…….”

“You’re a member of the national team reserve, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I heard about what happened at the national team selection.”

Athlete Lim Jeong-hwan gritted his teeth.

But he reacted sharply as if he didn’t want to remember it.

“Why are you bringing that up?”

“You feel wronged, don’t you?”

At that moment, athlete Lim Jeong-hwan faltered without realizing it.

Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook curved his lips as if he had been waiting for this.

“I can help you.”

“……Really?”

“But.”

He leaned towards Lim Jeong-hwan and said,

“On the condition that it doesn’t leak to the outside.”

Lim Jeong-hwan swallowed hard.

“Yes. I’ll keep my mouth shut no matter what.”

From his perspective, there was no reason to refuse.

No, it would be more accurate to say that he desperately wanted it.

Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook smiled.

“Thank you for your cooperation. I’ll get straight to the point…….”

Athlete Lim Jeong-hwan clenched his fist.

“There was a misjudgment in the finals of the national team selection, and I’ve completed the investigation into the process.”

“Really?”

“Yes. To skip the minor details, athlete Lim Jeong-hwan will soon be qualified as a national athlete, not just a reserve.”

“How…….”

“I personally met with the referee and athlete Kim Bu-yeol and came to the conclusion that we should correct the situation.”

At that moment, athlete Lim Jeong-hwan’s mouth dropped open.

“……Thank you.”

Following that, tears streamed down his face without warning.

“Thank you, Prosecutor. Thank you so much.”

He held Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook’s hands tightly with both hands.

“I was truly desperate because it felt like four years of hard work was going to be for nothing. I feel like I’m finally seeing the light.”

“I’m glad.”

“How can I ever thank you enough…….”

“No. It’s the result of Jeong-hwan’s efforts, and I’m just doing what I have to do as a prosecutor.”

“That’s why I’m so grateful.”

Athlete Lim Jeong-hwan was smiling brightly while shedding tears.

Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook carefully asked,

“However, given the situation, I hope you’ll keep this matter from leaking to the outside, as I mentioned earlier. That’s the condition they agreed to as well.”

He smiled bitterly.

“If you want to reveal the truth through official channels, it will take a long time, and Jeong-hwan will also get hurt in the process.”

“Ah…….”

Athlete Lim Jeong-hwan let out a low sigh.

But he couldn’t help but understand it quickly.

He couldn’t possibly not know that Kim Bu-yeol’s family was formidable and that his father was a high-ranking politician.

“You must keep it a secret.”

“Yes, yes. Don’t worry. I will definitely do that. I’ve heard about Kim Bu-yeol’s family since a long time ago…….”

He nodded as if he had already given up.

“I just want to be able to compete in the Olympics as a national athlete fairly, and I won’t ask for anything more.”

It wasn’t perfect justice, but ending it like this was a win-win for everyone.

If he tried to punish Kim Bu-yeol, Assemblyman Kim Kang-jin would definitely not stand still.

Then it was obvious that athlete Lim Jeong-hwan would suffer from all kinds of media scrutiny and slander, and he was well aware of that fact.

It was a welcome result for Lim Jeong-hwan, who wanted to purely focus on sports and prove himself with his achievements, not complicated politics.

“Thank you again, really.”

“No. Then, I’ll be going…….”

Athlete Lim Jeong-hwan grabbed Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook, who was about to turn around.

“Ah, what was your name again, Prosecutor? I didn’t hear it properly earlier…….”

“I’m Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook.”

He slyly added,

“However, I was just acting on the instructions of my superiors. The person who actually helped Jeong-hwan is someone else.”

“Who is it?”

Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook glanced around and lowered his voice.

“It’s Chief Prosecutor Choi Seo-joon.”

At those words, athlete Lim Jeong-hwan’s eyes widened.

“Choi Seo-joon…… Are you talking about the prosecutor who is married to actress Han Ji-yoo?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Athlete Lim Jeong-hwan inhaled sharply.

“As expected, he’s really amazing. I’ve seen him a lot in the news here and there…….”

“He’s a good person.”

Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook nodded in agreement.

“It would be great if you could remember him for the achievements of this case.”

“Thank you. Please tell him thank you so much!”

“Yes.”

With those words, he bowed his head and left the training center.

A satisfied smile hung on the lips of Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook, who was behind the wheel returning to Seoul.

The reason he gave credit to Choi Seo-joon was simple.

He knew that the fact that he did that would definitely reach Choi Seo-joon’s ears someday, and that was the best way to gain favor with his superior.

Simply receiving small thank-you notes and taking credit from people like athlete Lim Jeong-hwan only provided temporary satisfaction and didn’t have much meaning in terms of promotion.

What Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook needed now was to get into Choi Seo-joon’s good graces.

There was no need to say more, just looking at the fact that his promotion to chief prosecutor was confirmed after his leave of absence ended.

Moreover, it was not just any department, but the core audit department of the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office.

Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook was intuitively aware that he had somewhat caught Choi Seo-joon’s eye.

He also knew that this was the time to bow his head and be more loyal to win his heart for sure.

Riding Choi Seo-joon’s coattails was the optimal route to achieving his dream of becoming the Prosecutor General.

‘Prosecutor General.’

Already, the splendid title representing his dream seemed to flicker before his eyes.

‘All I have to do is beat Chief Jang Ha-young.’

Lee Doo-hyung, who was the most threatening figure, had turned into a congressman, so he was a helper on the same side, not a competitor.

However, that didn’t mean he was thinking of directly bringing down Chief Jang Ha-young.

Internal conflict was not tolerated by Choi Seo-joon, and he was well aware that fighting people on the same side as Jang Ha-young weakened the power of the faction he belonged to in the first place.

That’s why it was important to build a more solid faction, but also to stand out from within it.

‘If I show that my abilities are superior to Chief Jang Ha-young, Choi Seo-joon’s successor position will naturally be mine.’

Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook’s eyes began to shine with ambition.

***

After Assemblyman Kim Kang-jin left, Yoon Seol-ha came and asked carefully.

“Wouldn’t it have been better to meet outside? The news that the leader of the Korea Party visited the High Prosecutors’ Office will be conveyed to Seong Tae-hyun.”

That’s a given.

No matter how much I am the chief prosecutor, Seong Tae-hyun’s people will be planted in the High Prosecutors’ Office.

“I did it on purpose.”

“Yes?”

“To make the guys at the Blue House [the executive office and official residence of the President of South Korea] nervous.”

I lightly curved the corners of my lips.

“I won’t move for the time being anyway.”

“……Ah.”

“The Blue House will continue to be nervous and wary, and eventually get tired of it on their own.”

I leaned my head back in the chair and continued,

“While those guys are paying attention to the Korea Party, I’ll be able to do more things.”

Yoon Seol-ha let out a low exclamation.

“Well, to give you an example…….”

Buzzz.

At that time, the phone started vibrating.

“Just a moment.”

“Yes, take your time.”

I nodded and picked up the phone.

“Oh, Prosecutor Gong.”

-Chief Prosecutor. I’ve finished contacting athlete Lim Jeong-hwan. The story has been resolved well.

“Okay, good job. And.”

Looking at Yoon Seol-ha, I continued to Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook.

“Find out about the people around Deputy Chief Prosecutor Min Ho-sun of the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office. Especially focusing on the Blue House connections.”

-Yes, I understand.”

I hung up the phone and smiled at Yoon Seol-ha.

“Like this.”