Free Web NovelWoo Youngsik was dining with prosecutors at an upscale restaurant in Seocho-dong.
“Sunbae-nim, let me pour you a drink.”
Kim Seokjae, Third Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, filled Woo Youngsik’s glass as he spoke.
Woo Youngsik nodded in satisfaction and lifted his glass.
“Gentlemen. Let’s all raise a toast.”
At his words, the eight prosecutors gathered there raised their glasses in unison.
They all followed Woo Youngsik.
Within the prosecution, they were practically a private faction.
“To the Prosecution!”
At Woo Youngsik’s lead, the prosecutors shouted:
“For its glory!”
Woo Youngsik smiled leisurely and brought his glass to his lips, while the prosecutors turned their heads and emptied theirs.
“Sunbae-nim. How are things progressing with the upcoming regular personnel reshuffle?”
“Hmm...”
Woo Youngsik set his glass down and swallowed a low murmur, avoiding a direct answer.
But Kim Seokjae gave a faint smile.
“Come on, Sunbae-nim. You have to lead us. We need at least a rough idea of how things will unfold so we can prepare.”
“Seokjae, are you aiming for a Prosecutor General rank this time?”
“Yes. Isn’t it about time I earned the title of Chief Prosecutor?”
Woo Youngsik let out a small chuckle at Kim Seokjae’s playful tone.
“It is about that time.”
“Even though the President abolished the rank of ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ Chief Prosecutor, there still has to be some distinction for personnel purposes. There may be no longer a legal basis, but the authority remains the same. In this reshuffle, I want that title.”
Yoon Changho had amended the Prosecutors’ Office Act under the banner of strengthening prosecutorial independence.
He revised Article 6, which had previously classified prosecutors into Prosecutor General, High Prosecutor General, Chief Prosecutor, and Prosecutor.
The amended law removed the titles of High Prosecutor General and Chief Prosecutor, formally dividing positions into only Prosecutor General and Prosecutor.
Yet in practice, despite the lack of legal basis, the titles of High Prosecutor and Chief Prosecutor still existed in personnel operations.
“You are a strong candidate. But that doesn’t mean it’s decided.”
At Woo Youngsik’s words, Kim Seokjae’s face brightened.
“Is that so?”
Woo Youngsik nodded and glanced around at the prosecutors seated around the table.
“All of you here will see movement in this reshuffle.”
Every face in the room lit up.
“Seokjae, you’re currently on the shortlist for Seoul Central District Prosecutor.”
“Is that really true?”
“Come now. Don’t pretend you didn’t know. You asked because you already heard, didn’t you?”
“Haha. Not at all. I truly didn’t know until you said it.”
Woo Youngsik’s gaze turned icy in an instant.
“Seokjae. Do you not know that what I hate most is lying?”
“...I—I’m sorry. I heard rumors, so I had a general idea.”
Kim Seokjae hurriedly bowed his head. Only then did Woo Youngsik’s expression soften slightly.
“The other candidates are from similar classes as you—or senior. You know that.”
“Yes. I’m aware.”
“Even if I push for you, the final decision lies with the President and the Minister of Justice.”
“Doesn’t the Minister dislike me?”
Kim Seokjae asked anxiously.
Woo Youngsik gave a small nod.
“That’s true. Choi Taemin isn’t particularly fond of you. But he won’t appoint the head of Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office based on personal likes or dislikes. You know that position is the fast track to Prosecutor General.”
“Yes. I understand.”
“That makes the President’s opinion crucial. No matter how powerful Choi Taemin thinks he is, he cannot abuse appointment authority if the President refuses. And you know my relationship with the President. I’ll keep the Minister in check.”
Kim Seokjae jumped to his feet and bowed deeply.
“Thank you.”
“You’re thanking me before the appointment is even made? Sit down.”
At Woo Youngsik’s gesture, Kim Seokjae sat again.
“I considered removing Choi Taemin in this reshuffle, but the President rejected it.”
“Ah. I heard that rumor.”
“What? Internal Blue House rumors are reaching your ears too? How?”
Woo Youngsik looked at him sharply. Kim Seokjae waved his hands quickly.
“Ah, that... I heard it during dinner with legal reporters. You know how well-connected journalists are.”
“Hmph. Well, perhaps. In any case, as long as Choi Taemin remains in that position, controlling the prosecution won’t be easy.”
No matter how much influence the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs had over oversight institutions, personnel decisions for prosecutors ultimately rested with the Ministry of Justice.
Currently, the prosecution was divided between two factions.
One led by Woo Youngsik.
The other by Choi Taemin and the current Prosecutor General.
To seize momentum, Woo Youngsik intended to push Kim Seokjae into the Seoul Central District Prosecutor post at any cost.
‘But I can’t read what President Yoon Changho is thinking.’
After a brief moment of thought, Woo Youngsik spoke again.
“The rest of you as well. I’ve prepared placements for all of you. Expect good positions. Seokjae’s promotion to Chief Prosecutor is certain. The only question is whether he secures Seoul Central.”
“Thank you.”
All the prosecutors stood and bowed.
Woo Youngsik waved dismissively.
“Save your thanks. You’ve all worked hard for the prosecution. That’s why I can recommend you for good positions. Just keep doing as you have.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Everyone leave except Seokjae.”
The prosecutors responded loudly, bowed once more, and exited.
After they were gone, Kim Seokjae spoke in a relaxed tone.
“Hyung-nim. Is something troubling you?”
“Hmm? No. Nothing like that. The President is just too hardline. By the way, what’s happening with the ethnic Koreans from China issue?”
“Well... You know I can’t easily touch Deputy Chief Prosecutor Oh Hyunwoo.”
“I know. Still, no matter what, those ethnic Koreans from China need to be sent back to China. It’s better for us.”
Even though they were alone, Kim Seokjae glanced around nervously.
“But if we pressure Oh Hyunwoo, this could escalate.”
“Then how about transferring him during the reshuffle? Promote him.”
“...Promote him? You mean to full Chief Prosecutor already?”
It usually took twelve to fifteen years to reach that rank.
Oh Hyunwoo had already been promoted to Deputy Chief at an unusually fast pace.
Promoting him further would be extraordinary.
Seeing Kim Seokjae’s silent shock, Woo Youngsik smirked.
“No. That’s unrealistic. I’m thinking of sending him to the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office.”
“Will he accept?”
“What choice does he have? Will he run crying to the Chief Justice like a child? The Oh Hyunwoo I know wouldn’t.”
“True, he doesn’t rely much on the Chief Justice’s backing. But he can’t ignore it either. Without the Chief Justice, would he have become Deputy Chief so quickly?”
The Deputy Chief role was essentially a waiting position before promotion to full Chief Prosecutor.
There was no legal basis, but it was an unwritten rule.
“Even the Chief Justice has no grounds to block a regular reshuffle. He doesn’t move without justification.”
“Still, antagonizing him won’t help.”
“A transfer to the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office is a prestigious move. Why would he refuse?”
Woo Youngsik said it casually, but Kim Seokjae remained uneasy.
“It lacks real power. Most authority has shifted to Seoul Central.”
“The Supreme Prosecutors’ Office is the flower of the prosecution. The moment you deny that, the prosecution collapses. Don’t ever repeat that elsewhere.”
Kim Seokjae flinched at the sharp tone.
“I’ll be careful.”
“I’ll meet the Chief Justice separately and show due courtesy. Don’t worry about that. Once Oh Hyunwoo is transferred, can you control things?”
“If I become head of Seoul Central, it won’t be difficult. But the President is watching the case...”
“I know. I’ll persuade him before the reshuffle. Don’t worry.”
“Then I’ll prepare in advance.”
“Good. I’m counting on you, Seokjae.”
They continued talking for another hour.
Kim Seokjae left first. About ten minutes later, Woo Youngsik rose as well.
He descended to the underground parking lot and got into his car.
“Take me to the officetel.”
The car began to move.
As it drove, Woo Youngsik briefly dozed off.
When he opened his eyes and looked outside, confusion overtook him.
“What is this? Where are we? I said the officetel.”
“Please cooperate quietly, Senior Secretary Woo Youngsik.”
“What? Who are you?”
Only then did he realize the man at the wheel was not his usual driver.
The voice was completely different.
“If you resist, you will be injured. Please comply.”
“Do you know who I am? If someone wants to meet me, they should follow proper procedures—”
“Senior Secretary. Do you not understand the phrase ‘quietly’? Or shall we end this here?”
The unfamiliar man’s voice turned icy as he gripped the steering wheel.
The car was already speeding past 100 kilometers per hour.
One mistake would mean disaster.
Woo Youngsik steadied himself.
“...Who wants to see me?”
“You’ll know when we arrive.”
“...My safety?”
“If you cooperate, you will return unharmed.”
“...Fine. I’ll go quietly.”
The driver inclined his head slightly.
Silence filled the car.
As scenery rushed past, Woo Youngsik’s thoughts raced.
‘National Intelligence Service? Blue House Security Service? Or someone else? To be this bold...’
Names ran through his mind.
Kim Muhyuk’s name never once occurred to him.
“We’ve arrived. Please step out.”
“Where is this?”
Instead of answering, the driver opened the rear door.
“Step out. Or I’ll remove you by force.”
“Hmph. You have no fear.”
Woo Youngsik glared, but the man remained expressionless.
Under the starlit darkness stood a lone villa.
“There’s a place like this in Korea...”
“Please go inside.”
“I’ll repay this rudeness later.”
The disguised driver only shrugged and escorted him inside.
Inside, Woo Youngsik froze.
Two familiar faces were already there.
“Woo Senior Secretary!”
“Ban Jangwoo? Why are you here?”
“I don’t know. They dragged me here without warning. I heard Kim was brought too. Though more politely.”
Woo Youngsik’s gaze shifted to Kim Gapsu.
“...I was brought here as well,” Kim said quietly.
Ban Jangwoo erupted.
“They dare kidnap three senior secretaries in one night? Are they insane?”
Woo Youngsik cursed as well.
The man who had abducted him spoke calmly.
“You must be curious. Please wait a little longer. He will arrive shortly. And before that... remember one thing. For your own sake—do not lie in front of him. If you speak only the truth, you will all return safely.”
“What?”
Ban Jangwoo frowned.
“That is all I can say. We do not wish to harm you. Do not ignore this advice.”
* * *
I arrived at the villa in Gyeonggi Province.
“Ban Jangwoo met the Chinese ambassador... Kim Gapsu was drinking with friends... and Woo Youngsik was dining with prosecutors.”
“Yes, Boss.”
“Hmm... Let’s go inside.”
I entered with Manager Ma.
All three pairs of eyes locked onto me.
But only one recognized my face.
Ban Jangwoo.
“Y-You are—”
“Do not open your mouth without my permission, Senior Secretary Ban Jangwoo.”
His face drained of color as he shut his mouth.
“Good evening, Senior Secretaries. The reason I invited you here is simple. I have received information that at least one of you is a Chinese spy.”
As I spoke, I carefully observed their reactions.
Ban Jangwoo looked horrified.
Woo Youngsik looked confused.
Kim Gapsu’s eyes trembled. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
“So answer my questions carefully. If you lie—today will be your memorial day.”
