Chapter 10

"Congratulations, Prosecutor! - Chapter 10 (10/341)

Full Chapter (3)

I personally entered the interrogation room where the prosecutors, who had been transferred to the provinces after working in the Economic Crime Investigation Department, were being held.

This was a permissible action, even without being part of the Inspection Department, with the approval of Deputy Prosecutor Kim Seok-won.

The first prosecutor I took charge of was Prosecutor Jeong Won-ho, who had been demoted to Gyeongnam.

"I'm a friend of Yong-ho. Do you know Seung-ho Shin? He was transferred to Boseong District Office..."

"Yes, I know."

Even though he had been demoted, Jeong Won-ho was once a member of the Im Sung-jin line. He wasn't an easy person to handle.

However, the one in a hurry here was not me, but Jeong Won-ho.

"Let's be frank. You did a few things while in the Economic Crime Investigation Department, which is why you were demoted."

He didn't answer, just gave an awkward smile.

"Anyway, there's no video or audio recording right now. Speak your mind."

Jeong Won-ho checked under the table and confirmed that the recording function was not working.

To reassure him, I pointed to the black window next to us and added,

"There's no one on the other side of the double-glazed window. You and I are the only ones hearing this conversation."

Only then did he relax and exhale deeply.

"Phew, it's not just me; everyone is the same. Yong-ho, of course, and Hee-ju too."

"Since you've already been demoted for the actual mistakes you made, you won't be held further responsible."

First, the carrot.

I started by easing his worries.

As expected, Jeong Won-ho's face brightened.

"Can you testify about Prosecutor Im Sung-jin's corruption?"

"It's difficult."

He said with a sincere expression.

"You know his character. If he survives... sigh. We'll be done for."

As expected, he showed no signs of talking without a push.

"Didn't you see the media coverage about Prosecutor Im Sung-jin's bribery?"

"I did. That's why I'm being investigated now."

"If the already revealed bribery charges are covered by your demotion, you won't face further punishment due to the principle of non-retroactivity. However..."

I handed him a file I had placed on the table.

This time, the stick.

"If there are additional bribes, it will be hard to cover them."

When you're comfortable and your life is threatened, the stick has the greatest effect.

"What?"

Unlike his earlier relaxed demeanor, Prosecutor Jeong Won-ho's eyes widened in shock as he opened the file.

"What... what is this?"

His face showed clear signs of panic as he examined the documents.

Of course, he had every reason to be shocked.

These were the documents I had completed, which Im Sung-jin had started to frame on Jeong Won-ho and other demoted prosecutors for the bribes taken by the Economic Crime Investigation Department but had stopped midway.

I didn't complete all of them.

Just one page.

One page with a strong impact would be enough to persuade them in their desperate situation.

"No, I never took such bribes. These are the bribes taken by the entire Economic Crime Investigation Department. I took less than one-tenth of what's listed here."

However, I explained calmly.

"This is just a small part. These documents indicate that you, Han Hee-ju, and Shin Seung-ho took bribes, and they came from the Economic Crime Investigation Department."

"No, they're trying to pass the bribery charges to us and escape. You know, Prosecutor, Shin Seung-ho couldn't have taken this much."

"Regardless of what I think, the evidence we seized is this. In court, this will be used as evidence."

Only then did Prosecutor Jeong Won-ho speak in an urgent tone.

"What about Seung-ho? What does he say?"

He looked at me with pleading eyes, but I dashed his hopes.

"He's the initial whistleblower."

Jeong Won-ho's face turned blank.

He could easily predict the special treatment Shin Seung-ho would receive.

Realizing that the position of prosecutor, which he thought he had firmly held in the provinces, was now in jeopardy, Jeong Won-ho must have felt a sense of urgency.

Enough.

Now he had only one choice.

"I know, of course, that Seung-ho wouldn't do such a thing. That's why I'm talking to you now."

Leaning forward, I made an offer he couldn't refuse.

"If this continues, you'll be the one to take the fall. You three need to testify together and point to Im Sung-jin as the main culprit. Only then can you escape."

"Im Sung-jin, that bastard..."

His curses were music to my ears.

We were already over 70% there.

"But what if Im Sung-jin makes a comeback..."

I spoke firmly to his worried face.

"Choose. Will you wait on a deserted island for a pirate ship that abandoned you and starve to death, or will you board a righteous warship that sinks the pirate ship?"

For anyone with a brain, there was only one choice.

If he did nothing, he would be saddled with the bribery charges of the Economic Crime Investigation Department and be forced out.

"...Damn, I'll testify."

***

Han Hee-ju had the same reaction.

At first, she said it would be hard to testify if she wanted to survive, but as soon as she felt threatened, she quickly joined our side, showing a cunning attitude.

Given her background in the Im Sung-jin line, it was a fitting response.

The situation was smoother than expected.

Initially, Prosecutor Im Sung-jin tried to escape, but with the extensive evidence we had, the situation now involved finding a few people in the Economic Crime Investigation Department to take the blame rather than seeking help from higher-ups.

However, it seemed that Im Sung-jin had no loyal subordinates to take the fall, and the first summons day arrived without any resolution.

Most of the regular prosecutors from the department attended, but the key figures, Im Sung-jin and his right-hand man, Deputy Prosecutor Jo Won-hyung, did not show up.

"Didn't they come to the first summons?"

Deputy Prosecutor Kim Seok-won asked, sounding exasperated.

"Yes. According to the Central District Prosecutors' Office, Deputy Prosecutor Jo Won-hyung took a sick leave on the exact day, and Im Sung-jin took annual leave."

"These guys, are they just passing the buck? Who will die, you or me?"

"It seems so."

Deputy Prosecutor Park Seung-su sneered.

"I don't understand why he tried to escape through media coverage. Thanks to that, the public and media attention is on us, so he can't escape smoothly."

"If it weren't for that, the Chief Prosecutor might have tried to help. But he's in a corner, so he's thinking short-term. That's why there's no pressure from the Chief Prosecutor or higher-ups. Im Sung-jin is probably abandoned now."

Abandoned.

So, is Im Sung-jin's life over here?

However, the internet article I had seen in the future via text message still weighed on my mind, so I asked Kim Seok-won.

"If Deputy Prosecutor Jo Won-hyung takes the blame, can Im Sung-jin survive?"

"Yes. There's no clear evidence pointing to Im Sung-jin. At best, it's just the testimony of the demoted prosecutors, and without physical evidence, it's hard to strip him of his position."

"Then, even if Im Sung-jin survives, can we consider his career over?"

"No, I don't think so. People in this field are very cunning. Even if they abandon you when you're dead, they'll take you back as one of their own if you survive. The Chief Prosecutor might pretend not to know, but if Im Sung-jin isn't cut off, he'll be welcomed back."

From Im Sung-jin's perspective, he has no choice but to go to the Chief Prosecutor's line, even if he resents it.

What a cruel world.

At that moment, Deputy Prosecutor Park Seung-su's eyes lit up as if he had an idea.

"If this doesn't resolve and continues, both will die, right?"

"Yes. Jo Won-hyung will definitely be cut off. But even if he's a close subordinate, the Chief Prosecutor won't want to see Im Sung-jin die, so he'll likely use his influence to demote him."

The other prosecutors will resign before the case gets bigger.

If they resist and are cut off, it will be hard for them to even hang a lawyer's shingle later.

If they resign before the case is resolved, they can find a job at a regular law firm, even if not a large one, leveraging their background as prosecutors.

Even if they take bribes and resign, they can still earn a high salary.

Being a prosecutor is a really dirty but good job.

***

"What do you think of the current situation?"

Im Sung-jin asked, his face visibly troubled, unlike before.

"The atmosphere is not good. It seems we can't cover it up easily."

"So, Deputy Prosecutor Jo, what do you think we should do in this situation?"

Deputy Prosecutor Jo Won-hyung remained silent, unsure of what answer Im Sung-jin wanted.

After a moment, Im Sung-jin called him in a soft voice.

"Deputy Prosecutor Jo. No, Won-hyung."

It was the first time.

In the seven years since they met, Im Sung-jin had never called him by his name, always referring to him as Prosecutor Jo or Deputy Prosecutor Jo.

His voice was soft, but there was no warmth.

It only amplified the sense of unease.

Im Sung-jin spoke quietly, without showing any emotion.

"Take the fall."

"Excuse me?"

It was completely unexpected.

After working like a dog by his side, he was being sacrificed.

Before the shock could wear off, Im Sung-jin delivered the final blow.

"I'll take care of your wife and daughter."

Jo Won-hyung clenched his teeth.

This wasn't just being demoted to the provinces.

It meant leaving everything behind and leaving life.

"If you take the fall, it can end here. But you want to live, right? Not only will your subordinates die, but I will too. Will that be the end? No. The Chief Prosecutor might get involved. If it reaches the congressman... you won't be alive even if you survive."

"Sir, but without a father, the child..."

Jo Won-hyung couldn't lift his head as he continued.

"It's hard for the wife, but it's really not right for the child. I'm sorry."

As soon as he refused,

"Jo Won-hyung."

Im Sung-jin's voice, which had been warm a moment ago, turned cold.

"Do you want to show your wife and child you in prison?"

"..."

"Sometimes, dying is better than living."

Jo Won-hyung lowered his head, clenching his fists.

Im Sung-jin tried to persuade him again in a gentle voice.

"I'll take care of Sujeong until she graduates from college. I'll add enough for her living expenses... no, I'll ensure she can live more comfortably. I can take the role of a father. Sujeong is suffering from leukemia, and the medical expenses are high. After this case is resolved, she can receive VIP treatment at a top hospital."

"But, sir."

His eyes were red as he lifted his head.

"My wife, who trusted me and got married, will be devastated if she hears I'm gone..."

Seeing that persuasion wasn't working, Im Sung-jin's voice turned menacing.

"Do you know your wife's statute of limitations hasn't expired?"

That one sentence left Jo Won-hyung speechless.

"Let's not all get blood on our hands. You alone can clean this up."

Jo Won-hyung couldn't refuse any longer.

It was true that Im Sung-jin had covered up the charges for his wife's past mistakes.

If the charges came up while he was a Deputy Prosecutor, he would get probation.

But if they came up now that he couldn't keep his position due to this case, it would be a minimum of imprisonment.

No matter how much he wanted to protect his position, he didn't want his wife and daughter to suffer.

"How can you show your daughter both parents in prison? At least one of you needs to survive."

Under the guise of concern, it was a threat. Deputy Prosecutor Jo Won-hyung finally lowered his head.

"If I take the fall, please don't touch my wife."

"Touch? I'll protect her. I can promise that."

"Understood."

Im Sung-jin twisted his lips and nodded.

"You made the right decision. It's better for Sujeong to have one parent without a criminal record than both with one."

Jo Won-hyung felt powerless.

He was helpless against such overwhelming power.

"Prepare yourself and finish this quickly."