Free Web NovelTo people, chaebols were both objects of envy and resentment at the same time.
The happiness you feel when you receive that yellow pay envelope after working yourself to the bone for a month, buy a freshly fried chicken at the market, and head home—vanishes in an instant the moment a story about chaebols appears on TV.
[(Breaking News) KS Group Chairman summoned for investigation on charges of embezzlement and breach of trust—new slush fund discovered during questioning. Emergency arrest and request for detention warrant.
Choi Woosik, Chairman of KS Group, was urgently arrested after a new slush fund was discovered during questioning at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office on charges of embezzlement and breach of trust.
Earlier today, Chairman Choi Woosik appeared at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office to undergo questioning for embezzlement and breach of trust related to accounting fraud. He entered the building with a stiff expression, refusing to answer any questions from reporters.
However, during the course of the investigation, a new slush fund was uncovered. Prosecutors broke from the usual principle of non-custodial investigation and carried out an emergency arrest of Chairman Choi.
The scale and origin of the slush fund have not yet been disclosed. Simultaneously with the emergency arrest, prosecutors conducted a search and seizure of KS Group.
Deputy Chief Prosecutor Oh Hyunwoo, who is leading the investigation into KS Group, stated regarding the arrest, “New charges that did not previously exist have been discovered, and there is a risk of evidence being destroyed or concealed, which led to the decision to carry out an emergency arrest and request a detention warrant.”
Chairman Choi Woosik is currently undergoing an intensive interrogation at the prosecutors’ office. During the process of requesting the detention warrant, his legal team is insisting on his innocence.
Following this incident, the stock prices of KS Group, listed on both KOSPI and KOSDAQ, have dropped sharply. Shareholders are expressing concern over the uncertain future of KS Group and are calling for management stability in what is considered one of Korea’s leading corporations.] freewēbnoveℓ.com
I checked the article posted on the portal through my laptop.
Starting from the internet, even the evening newspapers that came out later in the day all carried news of Choi Woosik’s emergency arrest on their front pages.
I pressed the call button on my phone and contacted Oh Hyunwoo.
— Yeah. Muhyuk.
“Busy?” frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
— I’m on a short break. Good timing. Felt pretty damn good when we decided on the emergency arrest.
Oh Hyunwoo’s voice over the phone sounded pleased.
“How’s the reaction?”
— What do you think? He’s furious. I think he even slapped the head of his legal team.
“He raised his hand inside the Central Prosecutors’ Office?”
— They said there’s no recording, so I don’t know the exact details, but his cheek was red as hell. Says it’s because it’s hot. But come on—no matter how much heating is on, in this kind of winter? Who would believe that?
“The evidence for the detention warrant is solid, right?”
— It’s not just anyone—it’s evidence handed over by the woman he lived with. There’s no way out. And on top of that, we even have a recording of him trying to destroy evidence. There’s no issue. Besides, everything’s already been settled.
“That’s good. You’re not the one personally filing for the warrant, right?”
It wouldn’t look good if a couple handled both the request and the approval.
— The chief prosecutor is going himself instead of me. He was complaining that he has to go to court for the first time in a while.
“Okay. The media’s going to keep hammering Chairman Choi Woosik. Don’t worry about anything—don’t give him any special treatment and crush him.”
— Exactly what I wanted. You know what he said earlier? Right in front of me, he told me to take care of the prosecutors once the investigation is over. Is he insane?
“That’s what a chaebol is. You already know that—why are you getting worked up?”
— Ha... I should get back in. I’ll call you again once the warrant is issued.
“Alright. Talk later.”
As soon as I hung up with Oh Hyunwoo, I immediately called Han Minkyung.
— Yeah, Muhyuk.
“Minkyung, you’re swamped, right?”
— Well, yeah. I’m reviewing the documents from the prosecution. This... honestly, no matter who reviews it, the detention warrant’s getting issued.
“I’ve laid the net so there’s no escape. You know me—if I do something, I do it thoroughly.”
— Ugh... Don’t say things like that so casually. Orders have already come down from above to issue the warrant. There won’t be any problems, so just wait.
“I’m not worried. It’s your case, after all. When you’re done, let’s grab a meal with Hyunwoo. You didn’t come last time—I was a bit disappointed.”
— I’ve been really busy lately. I’ll contact you when I can make time.
“Alright. Get some rest.”
As I lowered my phone, the doorbell rang outside. A moment later, I heard the voices of Myungsoo and Hyunseong.
The two of them opened the door without even knocking, and I spoke bluntly.
“Try knocking before you come in.”
“What knocking? What happened at dawn?”
Myungsoo plopped down onto my bed.
“I handled it quietly. That bastard won’t be able to show his face around Yeongdo again, so there shouldn’t be any problems.”
“Yeah? Sounds like it ended well. Judging by your expression, I thought you’d killed someone.”
“Did I?”
“‘Did I?’ Hyunseong, you saw it too, right?”
Hyunseong, who had been standing without sitting anywhere, nodded.
“Been a while since I saw that kind of expression.”
“Is that so.”
I had been annoyed because a good drinking session got ruined for the first time in a while.
...Still, normally it doesn’t show on my face. These guys just know me too well.
“That bastard Jeong Hancheol—running around like that, I knew something like this would happen eventually. People don’t change even as they get older.”
Myungsoo spat out his disgust toward Jeong Hancheol without hesitation.
“You hate him that much? I’ve never seen you hate someone like that.”
“Don’t you remember? How much money that bastard squeezed out of me? Not just money—he took my shoes and clothes too. That’s why you stomped him.”
“I told you, I don’t remember.”
“Damn it! So? How did you deal with it?”
I briefly summarized what had happened.
“What the hell, he’s just a sucker.”
“That’s the conclusion.”
“Seriously... never learns. If he keeps living like that, what’s he gonna do later...”
At that moment, Hyunseong threw in a comment.
“You said you hate him, but you’re worried about him? Pick one.”
“I’m not worried! If someone like that is walking around outside, the world gets uglier, that’s all.”
The two immediately started bickering. No matter how old they got, nothing about them changed.
I shook my head and got up from the chair.
“When are you heading back to Seoul?”
“Planning to go tomorrow. Hyunseong’s going up tomorrow too. What about you?”
“The day after tomorrow? For now, I’m going to rest a bit.”
“What, no drinks?”
“It’s the last day. Spend it with your family.”
“What family? Let’s just grab a quick drink nearby.”
“No.”
“Ah, Kim Muhyuk acting all expensive again.”
“I’ve always been expensive.”
I shoved the whining Myungsoo out of the room. After sending them off, I lay down on the bed and took a short nap.
* * *
Late at night.
The detention warrant for Choi Woosik was issued. In front of the Central Prosecutors’ Office, a massive crowd gathered to capture footage of him being transported to detention.
“This is reporter Kim Miyeong. We bring you new updates on the case involving KS Group Chairman Choi Woosik.”
On one side of the screen, footage showed the vehicle heading toward the court. The reporter continued speaking.
“This case, which began with charges of embezzlement and breach of trust, is growing more complex with the addition of new slush fund allegations.”
At that moment, Choi Woosik was captured on camera exiting the prosecutors’ office.
The live broadcast cut off the recorded footage and filled the screen with his image.
Choi Woosik stepped out of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, his handcuffed hands hidden under his clothes. Outside, not only reporters but also members of civic groups had gathered.
Reporters pushed cameras and microphones toward him, attempting to get a statement.
— Chairman Choi Woosik, please tell us your position on this case!
Choi Woosik ignored them and walked arrogantly toward the transport vehicle.
But the reporters didn’t give up.
“Chairman, do you acknowledge the new charges?”
At those words, Choi Woosik stopped.
Then, with both hands bound in handcuffs, he shoved the microphone away.
The impact knocked the microphone out of the reporter’s hand.
And he didn’t stop there—he «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» shoved the reporter’s shoulder as well.
“Get lost! Why should I be treated like this?! I’m Choi Woosik! KS’s Choi Woosik!”
Flashes exploded like madness. The bodyguards standing around rushed in to protect him as he began to rampage.
But the reporters didn’t back down.
Microphones rolled across the ground, but there were plenty more.
“Chairman! The public wants to know. Please answer!”
Enraged by the continued questioning, Choi Woosik shouted,
“I’m Choi Woosik! Choi Woosik!”
The head of the legal team standing beside him whispered quietly,
“Chairman, there are many cameras. Please calm down first—”
Unable to contain his anger, Choi Woosik lashed out and struck the man’s face with both hands.
It was too blatant to even be called a mistake. The legal team head was sent flying and collapsed to the ground, and the prosecutors’ investigators rushed in to restrain Choi Woosik.
“This is a conspiracy! A conspiracy!”
As the large-built Choi Woosik thrashed his arms violently, the investigators struggled to hold him down.
The legal team head got up, wiping the blood from his mouth.
Looking at the blood on his hand, he clenched his lips and said,
“Chairman... please calm down. This won’t be good for public opinion.”
“What does public opinion matter?! What do those pigs and dogs know?! Do you have any idea what I’ve done for this country’s economy?! And you’re arresting me over a bit of pocket money?!”
At that moment, Oh Hyunwoo and Yoon Hyunju came out of the Central Prosecutors’ Office together.
Yoon Hyunju had come in for a witness examination.
Some of the reporters rushed toward them.
The bodyguards surrounding Yoon Hyunju blocked them, but she shook her head and said,
“Let them through. Don’t block the reporters.”
At her instruction, the bodyguards stepped back, though they remained on guard.
“Director Yoon Hyunju, what brings you to the Central Prosecutors’ Office today?”
Yoon Hyunju looked at Oh Hyunwoo, and he nodded, signaling that it was fine to speak.
“I came for a witness examination.”
“Are you also involved in the embezzlement, breach of trust, and slush fund allegations?”
“Me? Of course not. I testified about all the illegal acts my husband committed. If we leave it like this, KS Group will collapse.”
Shock appeared on the reporters’ faces. The area grew even more chaotic with murmurs.
“Is that true? Are you saying you reported Chairman Choi Woosik?”
“I simply answered the prosecution’s questions truthfully, to the best of my knowledge. If that counts as reporting him, then I suppose it does.”
Oh Hyunwoo stepped in between the reporters and Yoon Hyunju.
“Reporters, that’s enough for now. A detailed press release will be issued shortly. Director Yoon Hyunju is not under any criminal suspicion. She has merely cooperated with the prosecution as a witness. Please make way so she can leave.”
Oh Hyunwoo spoke with a smile, but the subtle pressure in his tone made the reporters hesitate.
“The press release will be out soon. And I will personally deliver an interim briefing later. So for now, let’s let the witness who must be tired from questioning go.”
In the end, the reporters reluctantly stepped back. Oh Hyunwoo and Yoon Hyunju descended the steps together.
Yoon Hyunju curled one corner of her lips as she looked at Choi Woosik, who stood there staring blankly at her in handcuffs.
“Y-you...!”
For a split second, Choi Woosik’s eyes rolled back, and he shoved the investigators aside, lunging at her.
But he never reached her.
As if he had anticipated it, Oh Hyunwoo stepped in, grabbed his arm, and forced him down to the ground.
“What are you doing?! When a suspect goes berserk, follow protocol! If you give special treatment just because he’s a chaebol, then what is the prosecution even for?!”
Oh Hyunwoo roared, and at his words, the investigators snapped to attention, restraining Choi Woosik and dragging him toward the bus.
The entire scene was broadcast live across the nation.
