The Inspector Is Getting Promoted! [EN]: Chapter 288

Empty House (3)

July 10th, the day after meeting with Assemblyman Kwang Suk-gon.

The nation was in an uproar over an incident that occurred overseas.

TV was reporting only on that incident all day long.

-Twenty people have been kidnapped by pirates in Somalia. Among them, six are Koreans, members of the emerging religious group ‘Aria Church’ who left the country around this time last year. It is reported that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs tried to dissuade them from leaving before they departed, but they insisted on leaving. It has been revealed that these individuals traveled to Libya, a designated travel-restricted area, and then toured various African countries to proselytize [convert people to] Aria Church. Their last known whereabouts were Djibouti, a country near Ethiopia, where they were kidnapped while traveling by boat to Yemen. Currently, the kidnapped individuals have been confirmed to be two crew members who operated the ship, three French, four British, six Koreans, and five Chinese. Somali pirates are demanding money from each country, including South Korea, as a condition for releasing the prisoners…….

Public opinion was greatly divided.

Some argued that they were asking for trouble by engaging in missionary activities in religiously sensitive areas, even going as far as the Middle East to preach about Aria Church, and that the government should not rescue them.

In contrast, others argued that the state should step forward and rescue them since they are still Koreans.

However, the former opinion was dominant at a ratio of about 7 to 3, so the government could not easily intervene.

Above all, it was confirmed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had strongly dissuaded them from engaging in missionary activities before they left the country, and as an emerging religion, it was largely perceived as a ‘cult’ by the general public, causing great aversion.

However, they couldn’t just stand still, as Somali pirates were threatening to kill them if they didn’t receive money, and even if it was a minority opinion, 30% was not a small number to ignore.

The government would have no choice but to struggle with this situation.

Frankly speaking, rescuing them in this situation would not only break the principle of not negotiating with pirates, but also, if the idea that ‘the government will rescue us anyway’ becomes known, more religions will engage in missionary activities even if the Ministry of Foreign Affairs tries to stop them.

But if they don’t rescue them, there will be many people who will shout that the government has abandoned its people.

Of course, I don’t really care what the outcome is.

So, the thought of Sung Tae-hyun racking his brains over this is quite satisfying.

Of course, I feel sorry for those who were kidnapped, but that was the extent of my emotions.

Rather, what I’m more interested in is.

“The filibuster [a political procedure where one or more members of parliament or congress debate over a proposed piece of legislation to delay or entirely prevent a decision from being made on the proposal] is still ongoing.”

Yoon Seol-ha reported on the four-year term limit proposal at the regular National Assembly session.

The parliament left the troublesome Aria Church kidnapping incident to the government and was happily debating among themselves.

Of course, this unlimited debate is just for show.

The passage of the four-year term limit depends not on the opinions of the members of the National Assembly, but on purely political matters that determine the success or failure of each party.

“What is the public opinion on the four-year term limit?”

“It’s still split. There is still a conflict between the opinion that it is too early to introduce it and the opinion that it is time to adopt it.”

“Let’s wait a little longer. There’s still a long way to go before the regular National Assembly session ends.”

***

The filibuster was eventually temporarily suspended.

Because the government requested a joint meeting on the Aria Church kidnapping incident.

However, the result was, of course, another confrontation.

The Daehan Party wanted to dispatch troops for a rescue operation. The Minguk Party argued that they should never be brought back because they ignored the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Manse Party wanted to bring them back even if it meant giving money.

Since they were divided and arguing by party, there was no way a conclusion could be reached.

The people were criticizing the government, saying that President Sung Tae-hyun was delaying making a decision, whatever it may be.

As time passed, it was already July 13th.

The date specified in the future text was approaching.

The content is still vividly remembered.

-Prime Minister. July 13th, 77 Nakseongdae Road, Gwanak-gu. Ambition.

However, it is impossible to know whether the ambition mentioned here refers to the late night (夜深) or the desire like ambition (野心).

That’s why I had no choice but to wait in person.

The place specified in the text is a park near Korea University.

During work hours, I sent Yoon Seol-ha, but the Prime Minister did not show up, so I ended up heading to the park myself after work.

Nakseongdae Park.

As I walked along the familiar path, Nakseongdae came into view.

I used to come here occasionally for dates or during long breaks when I was in college, but this is my first time since graduating.

Old memories came flooding back, but only for a moment.

This area hasn’t changed much, so there weren’t many places for people to be, so I had to hide.

I waited for a long time like that.

Hiding in the shadows, I was sweating profusely just standing still because of the hot tropical night.

Fortunately, there were no streetlights or means to illuminate the area, so there was no sign of ordinary people.

It was late, well past 10 p.m.

Only then did I see a silhouette in the distance, looking around as it walked.

As it got closer, I could see the face reflected in the moonlight.

Prime Minister Park Hyung-tae.

As soon as I confirmed it was him, the corners of my lips twisted roughly.

As expected, the future text never disappoints me.

I held my breath and waited for about 15 minutes, making sure he didn’t see me.

Then, a man in a suit approached Park Hyung-tae from afar, looking around.

A familiar figure I seemed to have seen somewhere.

However, his face was not clearly visible because it was so dark.

If he turned his posture a little more, I would be able to see him.

The man approached Park Hyung-tae and shook hands, greeting him.

“It’s been a while, Prime Minister.”

“It’s been a while, Judge.”

Judge?

“No, I should call you Justice now. Hahaha.”

Justice…….

Ah!

At the same time, the moonlight that had been hidden by the clouds shone through, illuminating the face of the man called Justice.

Yang Cheol-joong.

Currently, he is one of the Justices registered in the Supreme Court and is known as a powerful figure in the legal profession.

As he was the Chief Judge of the Seoul District Court, I naturally have a close relationship with him.

But I had no idea he was close to Park Hyung-tae.

“How did the discussion go?”

At the question of Justice Yang Cheol-joong, Prime Minister Park Hyung-tae raised his eyebrows and nodded.

“Yes. I have nominated him as the next Chairman of the National Election Commission. He will be appointed as soon as the current Chairman’s term expires.”

Chairman of the National Election Commission.

An organization that oversees official elections held in Korea, managing various elections including presidential and general elections, as well as handling affairs related to political funds.

Prime Minister Park Hyung-tae met with the next Chairman of the National Election Commission…….

There is no reason to contact him secretly like this with a normally appointed person.

In other words, this meeting is to plot something without being noticed by others.

Without Sung Tae-hyun even knowing.

If this happens, I am convinced that the ambition mentioned in the text refers to the desire like ambition (野心) [a strong desire to achieve something].

“Thank you, Prime Minister.”

“No. I should be thanking you if I think about the future.”

The corner of his mouth went up slyly.

“The current Chairman’s term is probably…….”

“It’s until the end of this month.”

“Then you will be the Chairman in this general election.”

“That’s right.”

Prime Minister Park Hyung-tae’s eyes flashed.

“Please give some strength to the Minguk Party.”

“Of course.”

Justice Yang Cheol-joong lowered his voice and continued.

“However, I won’t do it so obviously. I will be fully active in the next presidential election.”

“Hahahaha!”

The corners of Prime Minister Park Hyung-tae’s mouth went up as if they were about to tear.

Now I roughly get the picture.

Asking him to exert some influence in this general election must be Sung Tae-hyun’s request.

It is an expression of his will not to be swayed by my casting vote as he is now.

However, Prime Minister Park Hyung-tae went even further and revealed his intention to aim for the future.

His ambition to run in the next presidential election and seize power by adding manipulation with the power of the Chairman of the National Election Commission.

No, this should not be called ambition, but presumptuousness.

To dare covet the presidency.

However, if the Chairman of the National Election Commission takes the lead and puts effort into manipulation, it is not impossible.

Because that’s the structure of Korea.

As a Supreme Court Justice who also serves as the Chairman of the National Election Commission, the reward he can get for trying to get Park Hyung-tae elected in the presidential election is fixed.

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

To reach the highest position of a Korean judge.

I can’t believe that this man, who looks kind on the outside… no, who is famous in the media for being clean, had such a sly idea.

As expected, you can know ten fathoms of water, but you can’t know one fathom of a person’s heart [you can never know someone’s true thoughts or feelings].

After that, they talked about their ambitious plans for a long time.

After 30 minutes.

“Then I’ll go in first.”

“Yes. I’ll go down 5 minutes later, just in case.”

“I’ll contact you again.”

“Okay.”

The two shook hands again amicably and then said goodbye.

It was hard to hold back the laughter that kept coming out.

I needed a card to negotiate with the Prime Minister, and it turns out I got a case like this.

Park Hyung-tae was so happy that he hummed a tune.

5 minutes passed as promised with Yang Cheol-joong.

Finally, Park Hyung-tae also moved his steps towards the outside of the park where he had parked his car.

Now is the time to step out.

As he walked for a while without looking around, I raised my hidden body and approached Park Hyung-tae.

Then I called out to him in a low voice.

“Prime Minister.”

Park Hyung-tae was startled by the sound of someone calling him and turned around.

“……Who are you?”

“It’s me, Choi Seo-joon.”

His pupils widened as if they were about to pop out.

He wouldn’t have expected me to be here.

He clenched his fist tightly as if he was flustered.

“H, how long have you been here?”

He was so surprised that his voice cracked.

“Well.”

I smirked and approached him.

“Before you came, Prime Minister?”

Instantly, he turned pale, his face ashen.

“…….”

“I came for a walk, and I saw a familiar face. I thought it would be difficult to run into you, so I was hiding over there for a while, but an unexpected person came and you were having an interesting conversation.”

Prime Minister Park Hyung-tae’s mouth was firmly shut.

I asked him with a sly look.

“Are you just going to leave? Or would you like to talk to me?”