The Inspector Is Getting Promoted! [EN]: Chapter 50

Prosecutor, You’re Going Places! – Episode 50 (50/341)

Coincidence or Fate (2)

“Prosecutor, here are the investigation details on Park Su-hyeong, the political and social affairs reporter from WK Daily that you asked about.”

Yun Seol-ha carefully placed the file on the table.

“Anything special?”

“It’s special in a way…”

She hesitated before speaking.

“Before he moved, he was a direct junior to Bae Jin-su, the reporter who was quite close to you in the political district.”

“A junior?”

“Yes. Park Su-hyeong apparently admired Bae Jin-su a lot. Their tendencies are quite different, but Bae Jin-su had a number of big scoops as a reporter.”

Bae Jin-su’s direct junior.

If that’s the case, it might be difficult to approach this simply.

Even though it was conducted discreetly, considering the duration of contact with Wolhyang, it was a project that lasted quite a while.

He certainly must have some thoughts regarding Bae Jin-su’s death.

If he was a person chosen by my future self, he wouldn’t have dismissed this without a second thought.

I needed to plan carefully and approach him.

***

“Ah, Reporter Park Su-hyeong. Is this a good time to talk?”

– Yes, hello, Prosecutor.

The person I called was Park Su-hyeong from the entertainment desk.

Using this man was the most natural route to approach Park Su-hyeong from the political and social affairs desk.

“Are you busy?”

– I’m alright now. I’m down in the provinces for a bit.

“The provinces?”

– Yes. There’s a Black Diamond concert, so I came to take some photos.

“Oh, I see. When will you be back in Seoul?”

– I’ll be up by tomorrow. What’s up?

“Actually, I have some business near WK Daily, so I was thinking of stopping by your office. I was wondering if that would be alright.”

– Of course, I’d welcome that. When are you planning to come?

“I’m planning to go in two days.”

– That’s great. I don’t have any outside assignments that day, so I’ll be in the office.

“Yes, then I’ll see you then.”

– Goodbye.

I’ve laid the groundwork, at least for now.

I wonder how Park Su-hyeong from the political and social affairs desk will react in two days. It might be worth getting my hopes up.

***

“Is this a significant reduction?”

“Yes. It’s gradually decreasing, so it’s somewhat noticeable.”

What Yun Seol-ha and I are looking at is none other than the Political District Daily.

Now that preparations to expose the connections between Department Head Kang Hyeon-su and three other chief prosecutors and the SL Group’s vice president are complete, the Political District Daily is also slowly starting its behind-the-scenes work.

Even if it’s a media company, if they cut off their main advertiser, it’s obvious that it will be difficult to receive advertisements from other companies, so they are reducing the number of SL Group’s ads as much as possible.

The Political District Daily said that the work would be finished by around April of next year, so after that, there would be no problem in breaking the Kang Hyeon-su case at any time.

Of course, I’m not planning to break it right away in April; I’m planning to hold onto it a little longer.

After all, the data is in my hands, and I can decide when it will be released to the public.

“We don’t need to look into this any further.”

“Yes. It seems to be progressing smoothly, as the company said.”

I closed the newspaper, leaned back in my chair, and took a sip of coffee.

“This year is already coming to an end.”

“I know, it feels like I haven’t done much.”

Yun Seol-ha suddenly smiled as if she had thought of something.

“Come to think of it, it’s been two years since I met you, Prosecutor.”

“Has it already been that long?”

“Yes. One year in the Inspection Department, one year in the Special Investigations Department.”

“That’s right.”

Yun Seol-ha stretched and moved to the window.

She looked at the Christmas trees decorating the streets and said,

“What are you doing this Christmas, Prosecutor?”

“I don’t know. Probably resting at home?”

“You’re the same as me.”

“You should go on a date, Seol-ha.”

“Oh, my.”

She asked with surprised eyes,

“Prosecutor, didn’t you know I’m a staunch believer in being single?”

“You should have told me.”

“How could you not know after being together for two years?”

As far as I know…….

“Ah, don’t tell me Jae-hoon told you I was dating him?”

Before I could finish my thought, she came right at me.

I gave an awkward smile, and she shrugged.

“It’s okay. I know he’s just joking.”

“Didn’t you say you had a boyfriend before?”

“That was just a childhood fling. I still enjoy having fun, but I don’t do dating or marriage.”

She winked.

“I want to become a glamorous career woman who isn’t bound by love.”

As if to say that sharing personal stories is a luxury before my old thoughts could even end, an emergency alert came down on my phone.

– Additional victim found in the Judge case. If asked about related matters from the outside, do not give even minor opinions and maintain a no-comment stance.

“Oh dear, this has blown up again.”

“What is it?”

“The Judge case.”

The Judge case.

A serial case has occurred where someone calling themselves the Judge is purging criminals.

Already the sixth victim.

This person targets those who have committed heinous crimes such as robbery-murder, domestic violence parricide [killing of a parent], and sexual assault of minors but have received very light sentences, taking it upon themselves to punish them, committing crimes such as leaving them half-dead or actually taking their lives.

And they always leave the phrase ‘I judge’ at the murder scene, making it a serial case that is a hot topic in the world.

“Oh, another victim came out?”

“Yes. It seems they found a body that had already died this time.”

“It’s going to be a mess again. The media will be all over it, right?”

“I know. The order came down to just say we don’t know and respond with no comment, no matter who asks.”

“We need to be careful.”

Yun Seol-ha nodded and suddenly opened her mouth.

“I heard they’re doing a joint investigation between the police and prosecution.”

“A joint investigation?”

“Yes. I heard it through the grapevine that the police couldn’t get a grasp on it at all, so the order came from above.”

She asked me with interested eyes.

“Wouldn’t it be really interesting to take on this case?”

“Of course. Aside from tracking down the culprit, the moment it’s solved, the police and prosecution will all get camera massages [media attention] from the media. You could say it’s a ticket to promotion.”

Buzz, buzz.

The phone vibrated just in time.

– From: Department Head Kang Hyeon-su

– Come up to the department head’s office.

While I was checking the text, Yun Seol-ha’s eyes sparkled.

“A text coming when we’re having this kind of conversation…….”

“It’s the department head calling. The possibility doesn’t seem small.”

“I’ll prepare in advance.”

“I’ll be back.”

***

“You know about the Judge case, right?”

Department Head Kang Hyeon-su asked as if it were obvious.

“Yes. I also checked the text that came down a little while ago.”

“Did you hear that they’re going to start a joint investigation between the police and prosecution?”

I had a hunch, but as expected.

Department Head Kang Hyeon-su slammed a stack of documents on the table.

“Prosecutor Choi, take the lead on the joint investigation headquarters and proceed.”

“The head of the headquarters?”

The head of the joint investigation headquarters between the police and prosecution.

Generally, no matter how bad it is, a chief prosecutor, usually a deputy chief prosecutor or higher, takes on the head of the joint investigation headquarters between the police and prosecution. You’re telling me to take it on?

“Wouldn’t that be a bit too much backlash?”

He let out a hollow laugh.

“It can’t be helped. What can we do if the people want it, no matter what we say?”

“Ah.”

“They haven’t been able to catch a single clue even after six cases, so they’re putting up Prosecutor Choi’s name to raise expectations and somehow calm things down.”

“Is it possible to solve this?”

“Take a look at the documents. There are a few pieces of evidence that haven’t been released to the media.”

“I understand.”

I asked, holding the documents in my hand.

“When can I start at the joint investigation headquarters between the police and prosecution?”

“The official announcement will probably be within three days. I’ll notify you separately before then, so wait.”

“I understand.”

Just as I was about to get up from my seat, Kang Hyeon-su said to me as if he had thought of something.

“Ah, and about that movie thing I mentioned last time.”

“Yes.”

“The chief prosecutor has given permission, so proceed comfortably. But don’t even think about getting a backroom deal or receiving money through the back door.”

“Hey, do you think I’m the type to be greedy for that kind of petty money?”

“I know Prosecutor Choi well. But the chief prosecutor emphasized it so much.”

“I understand. Then I’ll be going.”

“Good work.”

***

“We’re almost there. It’s the entrance.”

– Ah, I should be going to meet you, but I have something inside right now……. Could you come up to the 30th floor?

“Yes, I understand.”

I hung up the phone and entered the magnificent hotel.

I naturally got out of the car, entrusted the car keys to the employee, and entered the lobby.

It’s not as fancy as the Dobby Hotel that our line uses, but this looks like at least the same 5-star hotel level.

I naturally got on the elevator and headed to the 30th floor.

Seeing that the building has 40 floors, it’s not a penthouse level, but it feels like a banquet hall.

The elevator, which went up silently, stopped smoothly and the door opened.

At the same time, sophisticated music was heard pounding.

“Prosecutor, you’ve arrived?”

President Jin Tae-yong, who said he had something to do, was waiting right in front of the elevator.

“I’m sorry. Something came up inside that I had to take care of.”

“No, it’s okay. Was the urgent matter resolved?”

“Yes. Thanks to you, it ended well.”

He smiled and guided me inside.

“Come in.”

As I got off the elevator, the exciting music pierced my ears even louder.

It felt like a club.

To think that a party like this is being held on the 30th floor of a hotel in the middle of Gangbuk [district in Seoul].

More interesting than the fact that a party is being held is the fact that no one knows about this situation.

“This company dinner is not the company dinner I know.”

“The scale is a bit big, right?”

President Jin Tae-yong smiled and continued,

“It’s not a company dinner for formal filming, but a gathering of only very important people from the sponsors, writer-director line, and major companies. It’s not comparable to you, Prosecutor, but it’s still a place where quite famous people in this field gather.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Yes. The executive director from the Geumsan Group, the main sponsor, was also supposed to come, but the current situation is so turbulent that he dropped out, and almost everyone except him attended.”

“If it’s the Geumsan Group, that makes sense.”

Geumsan Group.

One of the chaebol [large family-owned conglomerate] groups in Korea that rivals the Juok Group.

I knew they were involved in the movie business, but it seems they also have a foot in.”

However, since the group family is being investigated for giving bribes to the previous regime, the timing is so sensitive that they couldn’t move today.

Just looking at that, I could tell that he didn’t come here after being pushed out of the group like the spoiled brats of other chaebol families.

“Ah, I see the director over there.”

He raised his hand and approached a man he had seen on TV.

A man with curly permed hair hanging down to his ears.

“Here is Director Seong Jin-wook, who will be directing this time.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“This is Prosecutor Choi Seo-joon, who is in charge of the advisory role, as you know.”

“Choi Seo-joon.”

“I’ve seen you a lot on TV. You’re amazing.”

“Oh, thank you.”

Just as I was exchanging greetings with him, President Jin Tae-yong turned his head and his eyes flashed as he spotted someone.

“Oh, the heroine of this movie is right over there.”