The Inspector Is Getting Promoted! [EN]: Chapter 331

Prosecutor, You’re Going Places! – Episode 331

Bloodless Entry (4)

Shin Dong-hyun, with both hands clasped, leaned forward, detaching his back from the sofa.

This meant he was ready to listen.

I calmly laid out the proposals I had been formulating in my mind, one by one.

“First of all, if the President wishes to regain power, I am willing to offer my services to any administrative department.”

Of course, having been president, a moderate amount of power wouldn’t even catch his eye.

However, I could tell from our conversation so far that he wasn’t ready to retire from politics just yet, which is why I made the offer.

“If you want the Minister of Economy and Finance, who can control the flow of money, you can have it, of course. Not only that, but also special projects…”

There’s no law saying a former president can’t take on another role, but the optics aren’t good.

So, to be precise, it’s about planting Shin Dong-hyun’s connections in key positions.

For example, Jin Hyun-soo, who is currently the Chief of Staff at the Blue House [the presidential office in South Korea].

If he becomes the Minister of Economy and Finance, especially while I reign as president, he can manipulate the budget as Shin Dong-hyun wishes.

Most importantly, the funds invested in various projects and companies will be in his hands.

This position was crucial for Shin Dong-hyun, more so than for anyone else.

He comes from the owner family of SV Group.

Currently, Shin Dong-hyun’s son is the chairman of the group, and it was obvious that it would be passed down to his grandson.

“SV Group will also be fully supported to stand tall.”

“…….”

“The top-ranked conglomerate. It’s entirely possible. The President knows better than anyone that my words are not empty promises, as he has experienced it firsthand over the past four years, doesn’t he?”

He nodded silently.

In fact, SV Group made remarkable progress while Shin Dong-hyun was in power.

They not only advanced uniquely in the automobile business, which was originally ranked first.

In the electronics business, which had always been second, SV Group surpassed Juok Group and took first place only two years after Shin Dong-hyun took office as president.

Just four years ago, it was ranked 7th among the conglomerate groups, but now it has risen to 4th.

A tremendous growth rate.

Frankly speaking, it was a growth rate that could not have been achieved without the government openly pushing for it.

But what’s surprising is that, looking at the growth process so far, this is the extent of the passive support given while Shin Dong-hyun was president, being mindful of public opinion.

If I am elected, the public will see that SV Group and I are not related.

This means I can support them more actively.

Moreover, even though Shin Dong-hyun has become a politician, he cherishes SV Group more than anyone else and still exerts some influence over the group, which is also one of the pieces of information I’ve obtained.

It’s a shame to lose the presidency, but from Shin Dong-hyun’s perspective, it was an offer he couldn’t refuse.

If he has to step down anyway, it’s much better to step down with bags full of goodies than to be kicked out penniless.

And those bags also contain power.

“Hmm…”

However, seeing him hesitate and constantly contemplate, I spoke candidly.

“Frankly speaking, I know it’s not as sweet of an offer if the President could run for re-election. But…”

I put strength into my voice and continued.

“Even if you reject this offer, I will run for election. And if you compete with me and lose, I cannot guarantee the consequences.”

President Shin Dong-hyun’s expression instantly hardened.

But it was an undeniable fact.

If he were to face me one-on-one, especially at this point when it’s confirmed that I have the support of the Korean Party, it would be virtually impossible for Shin Dong-hyun to win against me.

“…….”

I helped Shin Dong-hyun get elected in the past presidential election.

It is also true that he helped me become the Prosecutor General.

However, even though we have maintained a good relationship, it was not a relationship where one was superior and the other was inferior, but an equal relationship, so a conflict was inevitable in today’s conversation.

If we fight for the same position, one of us has to concede or be pushed out.

Frankly speaking, the four-year term re-election system was also an agenda that I passed using my casting vote.

If it weren’t for me, he wouldn’t even have the right to run again.

Of course, I didn’t want to bring that up and take credit for it.

Regardless of the process, Shin Dong-hyun ultimately took the presidential seat and enjoyed power, but he did not secure enough approval ratings to enable re-election, so he has to concede to me.

That’s all.

“Hmm…”

He sighed deeply and pondered for a long time.

Then, he cautiously opened his mouth.

“There’s one thing I’m worried about.”

“Please, tell me.”

“If I resign and declare my support for you, the Democratic Party will surely protest. That anger will naturally be directed at me and SV Group.”

“You don’t have to worry about that.”

I said firmly.

“If the President helps me, I will definitely be elected. Then I can handle the Democratic Party sufficiently on my own, and if any opposition arises, I will defend you even if I have to stake my presidency on it.”

This is certain enough.

He himself knows that it’s a problem that he doesn’t need to worry about.

There was no room for further rebuttal in the conversation so far.

It’s a pity for President Shin Dong-hyun, but from the moment I made the decision to run for election, Shin Dong-hyun’s chances of winning were extremely slim.

If he’s going to lose anyway, it’s the right decision to step down honorably and take a share.

Shin Dong-hyun also seemed to think that there was no need to calculate any further, and nodded with a resigned expression.

“I understand. I’ll do as you say.”

I cheered inwardly.

However, I didn’t show it outwardly.

“Thank you.”

I finished the simple greeting and got up from my seat.

“If you need anything, anytime, and anything, please tell me. You can also think about what position you need after the election.”

“I understand.”

He closed his eyes tightly, and I left the place.

***

Bloodless entry is never a perfect plan.

That’s something that Yoon Seol-ha, I, and even Go Joong-hyuk all know.

Even if we get the okay right now, it’s not written in stone.

And even if it were written down, it would be invalid because it’s election manipulation.

All we can do is hope that his mind doesn’t change.

However, the presidential election is too big of a battlefield to be swayed by the whims of just one or two people.

Therefore, it was necessary to have at least some insurance.

Because you never know what variables might arise.

“Oh, Prosecutor Gong is here?”

Gong Sang-wook came to the office less than an hour after I called him.

Holding heavy red ginseng [a Korean health supplement] in both hands.

“It’s been a while, Chief Prosecutor.”

“When was that? I’m a lawyer now.”

“In my heart, you’ll always be the Chief Prosecutor.”

He bowed his head, saying flattering words.

“Even though I know it’s flattery when you say it, it still makes me feel good.”

“Hahaha, thank you.”

“Okay, sit down first.”

“Yes.”

Since it had been a while since we met, I asked about his recent activities.

“Isn’t it almost two years since you became a department head?”

“Yes. I think I’ll be moving to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office next year.”

“Are you moving while becoming a deputy chief?”

“I think I’ll have to wait and see a little longer.”

He wrinkled his nose and raised his eyebrows.

“It seems like it will depend on who wins the presidential election this time.”

“If someone who is friendly to you takes power, you can become a deputy chief, is that what you’re saying?”

“If the Korean Party takes power, I might have to be a department head one more time.”

Since the position of prosecutor is influenced by politics, it can’t be helped.

In fact, it was always like that when I was a prosecutor.

I lightly raised the corners of my mouth and said.

“Then I’ll have the deputy chief nameplate ready.”

At that moment, his eyes sparkled.

“Do you perhaps know who will run in the presidential election?”

“Someone who has a connection with you will take power.”

“Ah, is President Shin Dong-hyun running for re-election?”

I shook my head instead of answering.

Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook tilted his head and muttered in a low voice.

“Still, I’ll be a deputy chief, so it won’t be the Korean Party…”

While calculating, he suddenly stopped and slowly began to look up at me.

“Perhaps, Chief Prosecutor, you yourself…”

I smiled and opened my mouth.

“I need your help.”

Prosecutor Gong Sang-wook clenched his fists and shouted.

“If it’s for you, Chief Prosecutor, I’ll help you even if it costs me my life. No, I’ll help you even if you tell me not to.”

“I appreciate the thought.”

“No, I mean it.”

“First of all, it’s a secret that I’m running for president. Just you know about it.”

“Of course. Don’t worry.”

He asked, burning with enthusiasm in his eyes.

“What can I do?”

“There are just two things you need to do.”

“What are they?”

“Find the weaknesses of Assemblyman Kim Kang-jin and President Shin Dong-hyun.”

I leaned towards him.

“It can’t be just any weakness. The opposition will surely dig like crazy during the election. It has to be a weakness that only you know about because they couldn’t find it. But it can’t be too weak either. It has to be a big deal that can shake up the presidential race.”

“I understand. Are there any precautions I should take?”

“Focus on President Shin Dong-hyun more than Assemblyman Kim Kang-jin. And President Shin will have quite a few connections with SV Group. He must have received a lot of business favors.”

“Yes. I’ll investigate as quickly as possible.”

“Okay. You have to move secretly. Investigate with only the confidants you can really trust.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll proceed with certainty.”

“Thank you.”

“Is there anything else you want to instruct me to do?”

“That’s all for now. I’ll contact you if I need anything else.”

“Yes. Please contact me anytime.”

He bowed politely and left the office.

At this point, I need solid insurance.

Assemblyman Kim Kang-jin will resign as planned and support me unless there is a major upset.

That’s because it’s more likely that he’ll run in the next presidential election and win, which was his original goal.

The problem is Shin Dong-hyun.

If he resigns in this presidential election, there is no next time.

And the look in his eyes when we talked about the bloodless entry.

It was definitely unusual.

He said he would follow my lead, but I don’t know how he might change his mind when the time comes.

Having tasted the power, it won’t be easy to let go.

It would be nice if everything went as planned, but I have to prepare for the worst.

That’s how I can win this presidential election.

It’s time to move properly now.

I immediately picked up my phone and called.

“Seol-ha, contact Go and tell him to come in right now. This is enough pre-work. It’s time to start warming up for the presidential election in earnest.”