The Inspector Is Getting Promoted! [EN]: Chapter 89

Prosecutor, You’re Going Places! – Episode 89

Submersion (4)

“Personally, there’s something I’d like Prosecutor Choi to do… How about giving it a shot?”

He asked, his eyes serious.

As expected of Prime Minister Choi Gyu-hyun.

He, poised to become a kingmaker in this world, skillfully inquired whether I was willing, rather than revealing the task itself.

It was a test of allegiance: whether I would align with him, more so than my ability to execute the task.

Having received considerable help in the past, I had already decided to support Choi Gyu-hyun this time.

Without hesitation, I accepted immediately.

“Just tell me what to do.”

Prime Minister Choi Gyu-hyun’s lips curved in satisfaction.

“The People’s Party will likely nominate Kyung Dong-soo.”

“Are you referring to the current Mayor of Seoul?”

“That’s right. He’s planning to resign and enter the presidential race.”

Kyung Dong-soo.

A vigorous man in his early 50s.

I believe he’s fifty-three this year.

In politics, someone in their early 50s is often considered a newcomer.

Prime Minister Choi Gyu-hyun seemed displeased that this relatively young man was running for president, and continued.

“It seems the People’s Party is aiming for a majority, advocating innovation and reform, and putting forward someone who still seems wet behind the ears.”

“Won’t Kyung Dong-soo be eliminated during the party primaries?”

“No, after speaking with Assemblyman Hwang Cheol-yong, it appears the party is strongly backing Kyung Dong-soo. He will likely be their representative regardless.”

If the party is pushing him, the outcome is practically decided.

No wonder the Mayor of Seoul has been in the spotlight since the impeachment; it seems this was the plan all along.

“From what I gather, they’re aiming to create a ‘new Republic of Korea’ by injecting young blood.”

It’s a formidable election strategy.

With social media dominating campaigns and young people forming a core voting bloc, ‘youth’ and ‘communication’ alone will be a significant advantage.

Moreover, public dissatisfaction with Kwon Jae-cheol’s ‘stubbornness’ (the reason for his impeachment) will inevitably bolster the appeal of the younger Kyung Dong-soo.

In contrast, Nam Moon-seok, the Korea Party’s candidate, is 68 this year.

A fifteen-year age difference.

If the opposition uses the generation gap as a weapon, we’ll have to counter with experience and competence.

However, given Kyung Dong-soo’s experience as Mayor of Seoul, such arguments won’t easily sway voters.

This presidential election won’t be easy.

No, it’s beyond difficult; it’s practically a lost cause.

If a future text message arrived now with a hint, I could make a decision, but I haven’t received one in months.

Therefore, there’s only one option.

We must ensure Nam Moon-seok is elected president.

That’s the only way I and Choi Gyu-hyun can survive.

Prime Minister Choi Gyu-hyun must have called me to achieve this.

He steepled his fingers and addressed me.

“Prosecutor Choi.”

“Yes.”

“Kyung Dong-soo’s weakness.”

Choi Gyu-hyun’s eyes gleamed.

“I need it.”

“I understand.”

He smiled, pleased with my immediate response.

“That’s why I like Prosecutor Choi Seo-joon.”

“Thank you.”

He settled back into the sofa.

“No matter what information you uncover, Kyung Dong-soo will likely evade it. It’s impossible to bring him down with the entire People’s Party supporting him.”

“I’ll prepare something that can significantly shake him up.”

Prime Minister Choi Gyu-hyun raised his wine glass.

“I’m counting on you.”

“Leave it to me.”

“Okay. I’m expecting results.”

I raised my glass, and he lightly tapped his against mine.

The clinking sound echoed softly in the hotel room.

***

“Haa.”

Assemblyman Hwang Cheol-yong sighed deeply.

He had considered the possibility of Prime Minister Choi Gyu-hyun choosing the Korea Party, but he hadn’t anticipated him rejecting the People’s Party outright.

“Are you alright, Assemblyman?”

Assemblyman Kim Moon-jo, from the same People’s Party, approached with concern.

“You don’t look well.”

“It’s the presidential election.”

At Assemblyman Hwang Cheol-yong’s words, Assemblyman Kim Moon-jo glanced around and asked.

“It seems difficult to win… Are you okay?”

“There’s nothing we can do. It’s the Prime Minister’s decision.”

Kim Moon-jo sighed, dissatisfied.

“It’s ironic that we have to support the Korea Party when we belong to the People’s Party, which is expected to win.”

Moreover, Hwang Cheol-yong was the floor leader of the People’s Party.

His position was particularly awkward.

“Even if Kwon Jae-cheol was abandoned by the Korea Party, there must be a reason why he chose them despite the public’s negative perception.”

Assemblyman Hwang Cheol-yong indirectly criticized Prime Minister Choi Gyu-hyun.

He clearly disagreed with the decision.

Kim Moon-jo sighed and agreed.

“If there was a reason, I wish he’d explained it to us…”

Just then, Hwang Cheol-yong’s son-in-law, Gong Seok-min, approached.

“Father-in-law, are you alright?”

Gong Seok-min, president of Hanwool Investment & Securities.

“Oh, Son-in-law Gong.”

Until recently, he was a prospective son-in-law, but now that he was officially family, his influence within the line could increase.

Assemblyman Kim Moon-jo, nearby, was subtly pushed aside, and the father-in-law and son-in-law began to speak privately.

“Father-in-law, are you going to blindly follow Choi Gyu-hyun?”

“No.”

He shook his head.

“I need to hedge my bets and maintain influence within the People’s Party. If I rely solely on Prime Minister Choi Gyu-hyun, I’ll lose my floor leader position.”

“Heo…”

Gong Seok-min pondered, then recalled someone he’d passed earlier.

“Should I meet Prosecutor Choi Seo-joon?”

Having been involved in the Hanwool Investment & Securities stock manipulation case, approaching him wouldn’t be difficult.

Gong Seok-min believed that even if their primary alliance weakened, they could find another path if he intervened.

However, Assemblyman Hwang Cheol-yong shook his head.

“No. Choi Seo-joon is Choi Gyu-hyun’s man. Approaching him rashly could make you a target [찍힐 – marked for negative attention].”

Gong Seok-min raised his eyebrows slyly.

“Then I can approach him carefully, without being obvious.”

Assemblyman Hwang Cheol-yong’s eyes narrowed.

“Can you do that?”

Perhaps emboldened by his recent marriage into the family, Gong Seok-min exuded confidence.

“I’ll feel him out naturally. It’s a piece of cake.”

Assemblyman Hwang Cheol-yong, preoccupied with his worries, didn’t notice his son-in-law’s overconfidence.

If Choi Seo-joon helped them, maintaining influence within the People’s Party would be easier.

His reputation was secondary; his skills were top-notch.

If things went well, he could retain his floor leader position even if their primary alliance faltered.

‘It’s worth a try.’

Having decided, he looked around and whispered to his son-in-law.

“Then meet him and gauge his allegiance. See if he’s completely loyal to Choi Gyu-hyun, or if he’s playing both sides.”

He stroked his chin and continued.

“Choi Seo-joon wouldn’t want to become a 낙동강 오리알 [Nakdong River duck egg – an outcast] either.”

“I understand.”

***

As the presidential election date was set, campaigning began.

It wasn’t officially allowed, but that could be circumvented with clever tactics.

Consequently, the Central District Prosecutor’s Office became busy.

Those like me, without strong affiliations, had to choose a side and align themselves for advancement.

I met with Lee Doo-hyung and began a calm discussion.

“Have you made your choice, Chief?”

At his question, I answered immediately.

“Korea Party candidate Nam Moon-seok.”

“The Korea Party?”

Deputy Chief Prosecutor Lee Doo-hyung was surprised.

“The Korea Party’s image has suffered since Kwon Jae-cheol’s impeachment… Are you sure about this?”

“Well, that’s the decision.”

I did have questions about Prime Minister Choi Gyu-hyun’s choice.

Even if he was affiliated with the Korea Party, if he wasn’t working for the party itself, it seemed wiser to support the People’s Party candidate and compete with the opposing faction.

Even if his candidate lost in the primaries, there were options: support an independent candidate, switch parties, or even return to the Korea Party, where he’d likely be welcomed due to their crisis.

I couldn’t understand his reasoning.

Buzz, buzz.

My phone vibrated.

“Excuse me.”

“Yes.”

The phone displayed a text message I’d been waiting for.

A future text message, the first in months!

Barely concealing my smile, I read it.

-Sender: 37

-Republic of Korea’s 21st Presidential Election. Choi Gyu-hyun, the final candidate for the Korea Party.

Ah!

So, that was his plan.

Even as acting president, excluded from the current election, he wasn’t ending his political career.

It wasn’t about his chosen candidate winning; he wanted to be seen as a ‘loyalist who remained with the Korea Party during its crisis.’

He would leverage that to challenge the presidency in the next election, under the Korea Party banner.

Now I understood Prime Minister Choi Gyu-hyun’s intentions.

That’s why he was sticking with the Korea Party in its time of need.

“Is it good news?”

Deputy Chief Prosecutor Lee Doo-hyung asked cautiously.

I nodded, satisfied.

“Very good news.”

Knowing Choi Gyu-hyun’s goal was to solidify his position within the party, I had to maneuver to satisfy both sides without losing his favor, rather than solely focusing on Nam Moon-seok’s election.

Whether it’s Kyung Dong-soo or Nam Moon-seok, I need to be able to work with whoever wins.

“Deputy Chief Lee.”

“Yes.”

“Prepare a case that could shake up Kyung Dong-soo of the People’s Party.”

Deputy Chief Prosecutor Lee Doo-hyung tilted his head.

“Not to bring him down, but to shake him up?”

“Yes.”

I twisted my lips.

“Regardless of the truth, I want cases that can be 터뜨릴 [burst open – publicly revealed] and have a significant impact.”

“Are you saying…”

Deputy Chief Prosecutor Lee Doo-hyung asked cautiously.

“Are you saying to prepare a case for media attention?”

“That’s right.”

I briefly explained the situation.

“So we can demonstrate our diligence. Even if it’s a 빛 좋은 개살구 [a persimmon that looks good but tastes bad – all show and no substance], a 허울만 좋은 건 [something that looks good on the surface but is actually worthless], it’s fine.”

“I understand.”

He nodded firmly.

“I’ll prepare it as soon as possible.”

“Okay. I’ll look for information that can shake up Nam Moon-seok.”

Deputy Chief Prosecutor Lee Doo-hyung, startled, asked cautiously.

“Did your plan change because of the text message?”

“Yes.”

I placed my clasped hands on my knees.

“Whoever gets elected, we’re not just surviving, we’re becoming founding contributors.”

The corners of my lips twisted at the beautiful future I envisioned.