You Have Been Defended [EN]: Chapter 52

They Were Defended – Episode 52

Park Jin-cheol’s family hadn’t always lived in that neighborhood. They made a deliberate move when he was a sophomore in high school, drawn by the area’s reputation for excellent schools.

Park Jin-cheol’s father was a respected university professor, and the family appeared to be quite affluent.

To encourage their son, they moved into the Grand Palace Apartment, known as one of the most expensive residences in the district.

Furthermore, they provided him with generous pocket money, hoping he’d make friends easily after transferring.

And it seemed their hopes were realized; Park Jin-cheol appeared to be thriving and building positive relationships.

Park Jin-cheol became close to Lee Hyeok-min’s group. Lee Hyeok-min was the top student in school and the student council vice president.

Moreover, Lee Hyeok-min’s mother and she had met a few times at the parents’ association, and she seemed to have a good family, so she was relieved.

But trouble began not long after.

“One day, Jin-cheol asked me for a larger allowance.”

Park Jin-cheol’s mother sighed deeply, touching her forehead.

From that beginning, I could already anticipate the direction this story was heading.

“Even though I was already giving him a considerable amount of spending money, he wanted more… I assumed it was because he was associating with wealthier kids, so I complied. But then, he started claiming he’d lost his jacket, his shoes—all his nice things.”

It was obvious what was happening: they were being taken from him.

Such incidents were common during my own childhood.

It wasn’t unusual for so-called ‘tough older kids’ to steal brand-name shoes, replacing them with the cheap fakes they were wearing.

“I scheduled a meeting with his homeroom teacher because I sensed something was wrong. But the teacher assured me he was doing well. He said Jin-cheol’s friends were good kids, genuinely kind, and that his classroom behavior was exemplary. Since there were no reported issues, I didn’t know what to say. I couldn’t directly question my son, fearing embarrassment, so I suffered in silence…” She sobbed.

The mother clutched her chest, overcome with emotion.

Kang Min-jae, ever empathetic, was already deeply invested in her story.

“Oh my… You must have endured so much.”

He offered her a tissue from the box nearby, offering words of comfort.

The father also patted her shoulder supportively.

Wiping away her tears, she cleared her throat and continued.

“One day, suspecting he was being robbed of his allowance, I deliberately reduced the amount I gave him. He protested and demanded I increase it, but I refused and only gave him a small amount…” She began to sob again.

She, who had been trying to calm down and continue speaking, began to sob again.

As she reached a point where she could no longer speak, the father stepped in this time.

“The boy usually wears short sleeves and shorts at home, but one day, he suddenly started wearing long sleeves and long pants. My wife became suspicious and rolled up his sleeves and pant legs, revealing bruises all over his body.”

At the father’s words, Kang Min-jae frowned.

It was clear evidence of physical abuse.

Since he didn’t have enough pocket money, the money he gave them would have decreased, and naturally, that would have led to violence.

“Did you take pictures of the bruises?”

“…No. He was so upset that I barely managed to see them, let alone document them.”

It would have been beneficial to obtain a medical certificate at that time.

Back then, in 2008, school violence was only occasionally covered in the media and was not a matter with great solutions.

But in 2018, when I lived, this part was gradually highlighted, and there were many cases of taking practical legal action.

Companies that specialized in assisting children affected by school violence were springing up everywhere.

There were even instances where so-called ‘tattooed uncles’ [individuals hired for protection] accompanied victims on their commute to prevent bullying.

And the work that Tae-sik’s office does seems to be this ‘tattooed uncle’…

“Then, did you ever discover who was assaulting Jin-cheol?”

When I asked, the mother, who had calmed down a little, continued.

“The boy refuses to say anything. He used to tell me about his activities with Hyeok-min, what they ate together after school, but he doesn’t share any of that anymore… I suspect that Hyeok-min is involved.”

“That friend who’s the top student and comes from a good family?”

Kang Min-jae asked, surprised.

Even in 2008, most bullies were students who didn’t excel academically.

They often came from disadvantaged backgrounds, experienced parental neglect, and were delinquent teenagers who derived pleasure from tormenting others.

Students who focused on their studies were generally considered too busy preparing for their senior year to engage in such behavior.

“I don’t know. I don’t know if he broke up with that kid named Hyeok-min and broke up with all the kids he used to hang out with. But if I give him pocket money, they take it all away, and if I don’t give it to him, he gets beaten up… The kid keeps his mouth shut and doesn’t say anything…”

“Has he really said nothing at all?”

At my question, both parents looked at me in surprise.

“There must have been warning signs. He might have expressed reluctance to go to school or asked to transfer back to his old school… Boys at that age have a strong sense of pride, so they won’t directly admit to being mistreated.”

“…He did say he didn’t want to go to school. But I just assumed it was because he didn’t want to study. But as you said, I thought about it for a moment when he started coming home beaten up…”

“Was Jin-cheol frequently assaulted?”

At my question, the mother paused, reflecting.

They must have repeatedly considered when their son became a target and how his relationships with classmates deteriorated, but it was all speculation.

Unless Park Jin-cheol himself spoke up, further speculation might be futile.

“He had a broken leg once.”

After a long silence, the father spoke softly.

“He claimed he was injured playing soccer,” the mother interjected, but the father shook his head.

“You never know. The kid says he got hurt while playing soccer, but his leg was broken and his face was bruised.”

“Hyeok-min and the other kids took him to the hospital then, what are you talking about?”

The mother scolded the father, but I agreed with the father’s suspicion.

If the student named Hyeok-min was indeed the ringleader, he likely orchestrated and controlled the situation from the beginning.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to maintain his position as the top student and remain in good standing with the teachers.

Moreover, given his affluent background and position as vice president, he would likely be popular among the students.

Such a student could have been subtly tormenting Jin-cheol without Jin-cheol even realizing he was being bullied.

If so, it wouldn’t be surprising if he took him to the hospital after inflicting the injuries and then provided him with medication.

Perhaps that student had already determined that Jin-cheol wouldn’t confide in his mother.

“If the overt violence is that severe, there was probably more mental violence that Jin-cheol suffered. Also, judging by the way Jin-cheol covers his body, there seems to have been more violence.”

The mother nodded.

Then, she naturally shifted her gaze towards Tae-sik.

“So I hired you to keep an eye on him, to make sure nothing happened on his way to and from school… I thought he wasn’t doing it because a scary-looking uncle was following him for a while, but this time he came home beaten up again!”

“Didn’t Jin-cheol refuse when we first said we would assign him a scary-looking bodyguard?”

“…He hesitated for a long time, then said he understood.”

The reason why Park Jin-cheol, who had been insisting that he was not being beaten up, did not refuse was probably because the degree of violence was too excessive for him to endure with his pride alone.

But since that ‘tattooed uncle’ couldn’t go inside the school, there was no way of knowing what kind of humiliation he was suffering inside the school.

“Jin-cheol’s mother. The only advice our lawyers can give you is to take measures so that the students who bullied Jin-cheol can be legally punished.”

In fact, it was also the most realistic and best way to cut off this situation.

“Legal punishment? Is that possible?”

The father also asked in surprise.

School violence is usually a problem between students, and it was understandable at this time when disputes between teenagers rarely led to legal disputes.

Wasn’t it often the case that the only time teenagers were punished was when bullies were caught fighting among themselves or became henchmen of organized crime?

“It is possible. After all, it is true that Jin-cheol was bullied at school, and it is also true that he was subjected to violence. But first of all… Jin-cheol’s thoughts are the most important.”

“Jin-cheol said he wants to transfer again, right?”

At Kang Min-jae’s question, the mother nodded.

“But we can’t send him again after only a few months of transferring…”

“We need to check if Jin-cheol has the intention to punish the perpetrators, and also check if he has ever suffered any other mental violence.”

“…I’ve asked him countless times, but he’s never answered. I don’t know if Jin-cheol will say anything.”

The mother sighed deeply and said.

“It is also important whether the two of you here have the intention to take legal action. Since Jin-cheol is still a minor, you, his mother and father, must proceed with all the processes.”

Kang Min-jae couldn’t easily add words.

Even he, who always ran around like a sales representative, seemed speechless in front of the parents who were heartbroken by their son’s pain.

Above all, the idea of bringing the perpetrators of school violence to court itself seemed unfamiliar.

“I’ll go home and discuss it with my husband more, and then decide. Jin-cheol’s story too…”

“It’s best not to tell Jin-cheol yet.”

“Why?”

“Just as the two of you are hesitant to take legal action, legal action is a distant story for Jin-cheol, who is still a teenager. It’s not too late to talk about it after the two of you have decided.”

Above all, even if the parents decide, it is difficult to get good results if the evidence is not sufficient.

Moreover, if the student named Lee Hyeok-min, who is currently the most suspected perpetrator, is doing well in school enough to be recognized by the teachers, and if he is even the vice president of the school, it is highly likely that it will be difficult to get cooperation from the school.

As it is a problem that needs to be approached carefully, it was not good to inform Jin-cheol, whose mental state was unstable, from the beginning.

“First of all, Jin-cheol will never be beaten up again. Right, CEO Jang?”

Tae-sik, who was suddenly called by a different title, didn’t even know he was being called and suddenly came to his senses.

“Yes, of course. I will also give a stern warning to the employee. If you wish, I will replace the employee.”

“I don’t think it’s a good idea to replace the employee. Somehow, Jin-cheol seems to be anxious if the employee changes. I know you’re uncomfortable, but please trust CEO Jang one more time.”

I patted Tae-sik on the shoulder and said.

Then, the two slowly nodded.

“…Since the lawyer said so, I’ll trust you for now.”

“Then, please think carefully and contact us as you decide.”

As the conversation reached a concluding atmosphere, Kang Min-jae handed them his and my business cards.

Before I could even ask when he had my business card, the mother took the business card and put it in her bag.

“I’ll escort you to the parking lot.”

While Tae-sik and the employees went to escort the couple to the entrance of the building, only Kang Min-jae and I were left in the office.

Kang Min-jae, who would have been excited that another case had come in, and that the client was from a well-to-do family, was quite somber this time.

After a long silence, he sighed deeply and said.

“I feel bad for Jin-cheol.”

“Still, it’s a relief that his parents didn’t neglect him.”

“…Yes. But it’s so absurd that a student who studies well and is well-regarded by teachers is involved in school violence, isn’t it?”

“It makes sense. What’s certain is that those students are scarier.”