Chapter 134
Chapter 134
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 134
Chapter Title: Securing the Advisor
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Kim Jong-hwan asked Kang Hyun in a markedly serious tone.
"You know why I'd oppose this, right?"
"Yes. It's clear resistance against the Korea University Law Center. Even now, with the president's seat vacant and the dean acting as proxy, they're seething with dissatisfaction over there."
"You're speaking plainly. Yeah, they won't sit still for this. The Park Min-ha incident last time already gave me a splitting headache, and now a legal clinic?"
It was rare for Kim Jong-hwan to name Gong Hyun-jeong's faction so directly.
Yet here he was doing it, likely still reeling from the shock of Park Min-ha—the one he'd trusted during the bismuth moot court competition—turning out to be a spy.
He hadn't shown it outwardly, but he'd cut back on external activities and was acting almost like he was under house arrest, cautious in every move.
Park Min-ha had been someone he'd personally promoted, praised for her scholarly zeal beyond mere self-interest—a promising talent.
But she turned out to be meticulous and calculating in ways no one expected.
As if it had all been planned, the moment she revealed her true colors to Kang Hyun that day, Gong Hyun-jeong and the Justice Ministry crowd jumped to extract her.
Evidence vanished in an instant, leaving only Kang Hyun—the victim himself—as a witness.
In the end, she faced no real punishment and smoothly transferred to a full-time professor position at the Law Center, resuming her activities without anyone stopping her.
It was astonishing that even Kim Jong-hwan, with his immense influence on campus, couldn't touch her—and that Kang Hyun, nearly ensnared by her scheme, had been silenced.
Kim Jong-hwan rose slowly from his heavy frame and, as in days past, placed water in the coffee pot.
He'd thought this a ridiculous challenge at first, but now he was starting to see some possibility.
Boil, bubble.
"Care for a cup?"
"Thank you."
The coffee brewed quickly, and Kang Hyun watched it fill the mug leisurely for a moment.
Slurp.
Hot coffee. Kim Jong-hwan prepared his barrage of questions, his signature bull-like gaze at the ready.
"What's the justification?"
"As I mentioned earlier, the existing Korea University Law Center selects a small elite group of students, provides maximum material support, and focuses on grooming the offspring of famous conglomerates and the private militia of Daejin Legal Affairs Team."
"That's private talk. Polish it for official occasions."
"Then, the Law Center's public-facing role is legal consultations and litigation support for ordinary people. In short, they're incompetent."
"Incompetent?"
"Yes. Functionally, they're a non-entity. You've seen the statistics."
"Statistics. This data?"
He pulled out the five-year report on the Korea University Law Center's external performance.
"Yes. Over 90 percent of cases are just simple consultations. Phantoms."
Flip. He skimmed the stats again.
"Interpretation varies, but you have a point. So the legal center will offer straightforward, hands-on legal consultations for the public?"
"Not just hands-on—we'll take on direct litigation representation too. The biggest issue for capable but cash-strapped students is lack of experience and opportunities."
He nodded.
"But what about expertise? At the undergrad level, one student or two—it's all the same."
"The supervising professors can step in."
"That's manpower shortage too. Can't hand it to Park Min-ha."
He took a jab at her, yet seemed to concede no one matched her talent.
"Yes. So we'll appoint advisory committee members to oversee the consultations as students build their skills."
"Advisory committee?"
Kim Jong-hwan let out a note of disappointment. There was a reason he reacted this way.
"It's unrealistic. Even if we say there's no one suitable."
Kang Hyun grinned. This was within his expectations.
To make one final blaze at Korea University, convincing Kim Jong-hwan was key. But contrary to his fiery temper, he was politically savvy, often conservative and centrist.
To get him to commit big, Kang Hyun needed a knockout punch.
"I figured you'd say that, so I brought someone."
That's why he'd prepared this. The one person essential for launching Korea University's 'Legal Clinic.'
Knock, knock. Swing.
She knew it was her turn—the very air shifted as she entered.
When Kim Jong-hwan's eyes landed on her, he drew in a sharp, astonished breath.
"Whoa... a busy person like you."
The former ICC Director.
A heavyweight who'd connected with Kang Hyun back in the international law society days.
It was Song Ha-dong.
He fiddled with his lean jaw, flashing his prominent front teeth in a cheerful grin. His stubble was a bit prickly, but his face looked healthier than before.
"Kim Jong-hwan, long time no see."
"Whoa, really."
Song Ha-dong extended his hand warmly, and Kim Jong-hwan stood to embrace him.
"How've you been?"
"Doing well. And I will be."
Kim Jong-hwan and Song Ha-dong—two titans.
Strictly speaking, they weren't from the same faction in the prosecution world.
Kim Jong-hwan, despite his straightforward nature, built broad networks and took a centrist stance. Song Ha-dong projected a mild image but was fiercely hardline.
They'd been personally close but had drifted into awkward silence without contact—something that struck Kang Hyun as a key opportunity.
'With Song Ha-dong in, Kim Jong-hwan will move.'
Song Ha-dong hadn't been long out of the domestic scene, but things had changed.
Rumors of his return prep had circulated for months, yet interest showed no signs of fading.
He'd never dabbled in politics before.
Purged by that very politics, he'd weathered countless rumors. To make a comeback, he needed to declare he'd steer clear of it.
So his first move: mentoring juniors at his alma mater, Korea University.
For Kang Hyun, it bolstered the legal clinic as planned. For Song Ha-dong, it was a win too.
And Kim Jong-hwan wouldn't just watch. He'd dip a toe in the door, and once in, his personality would carry him all the way.
"If Director Song lends his strength early on, we'll build a network of retired lawyers, judges, ex-police, and legal pros post-stabilization. That'll keep funding needs surprisingly reasonable."
"Enough!"
Smack.
Dean Kim Jong-hwan cut Kang Hyun off decisively, slamming the materials on the table as if sealing the decision.
"We'll table it at the second-semester general assembly! Put your all into the prep."
After much deliberation, Kim Jong-hwan spoke firmly to Kang Hyun. Success—at last, he'd swayed the dean.
'It wasn't easy, but now it's underway.'
Kang Hyun's eyes gleamed.
With the decision made, the plan would proceed smoothly. The real challenge lay elsewhere.
Gong Hyun-jeong and her allies upon hearing the news.
And Professor Park Min-ha.
Their sharp counterattacks were inevitable. Yet Kang Hyun welcomed it—this was partly why he'd pushed forward.
Truth be told, this was his ultimate goal.
Those who'd repeatedly tripped him up. Before leaving school, he'd land one massive blow.
Once Kang Hyun got moving, the plan advanced like clockwork.
In this bold scheme to create a new organization, the most crucial figure wasn't even Kim Jong-hwan or Song Ha-dong.
It was Kang Hyun himself, with his immense star power and expertise.
As expected, Kim Jong-hwan threw himself into his role without hesitation. The assembly agenda was tabled swiftly, passing without dissent.
The key hurdle: budget. Even with assembly approval, unresolved funding meant the proposal would languish and die.
'Budget Adjustment Committee review per Article 6 of Korea University guidelines—additional budget adjustments. The committee's the bottleneck.'
Money's needed for any venture, especially here. Kang Hyun knew financial snags derailed countless initiatives.
He hustled, coordinating every detail.
He even held rare student council-led meetings every few days to sway autonomous body execs, and dashed to professor council greetings the moment the budget committee agenda hit—for general member slots.
"Hello. It's Kang Hyun."
"Ah, Kang Hyun. I hear you're taking on a big challenge."
"Thank you, Professor. We're planning a public hearing for students—could I ask you to attend if you have time?"
It wasn't his style, but he gave it his all. He had to stack the deck before opponents caught on.
The Budget Adjustment Committee split into ex officio and general members. Ex officio: acting president Dean Kim Jong-hwan, Law Center Director Gong Hyun-jeong, etc. Dead heat for sure.
'Ex officio vote: about 3-3. General members decide it.'
The persuadables were general members.
Professors from the council, student council president and below, plus general staff from employee councils.
'Still short.'
Even with quick moves and prep, something was missing.
To win them all, he needed a decisive blow.
'Something's needed.'
Then one day.
Ring.
"Huh?"
The phone rang in the usually quiet student council president's office.
No one manned it full-time, so calls were rare—especially from an unknown number.
"Student Council President's office."
-Hello. Is this the legal clinic?
"Yes?"
Caught between reality and planning, Kang Hyun paused before cautiously replying.
"Did you call Korea University Law Center for legal advice?"
-No! The legal clinic. Got turned away there, and a friend said to try here.
"...Word of mouth?"
-Pardon?
Kang Hyun muttered to himself, prompting a puzzled response from the man.
Recent student and public outreach had folks mistaking it for operational. Kang Hyun started to end the call casually.
"Sorry, but we're still in prep..."
Then he stopped.
'Wait, is this an opportunity?'
The guy had been rejected by the Law Center. That 90% simple-consult stat flashed in his mind.
What if he took one of their rejects and turned it into a big win?
It'd undermine the center's value and quiet the opposition.
Unpredictable impact, but worth a shot.
Might as well hear the story.
"Um, sorry. Could you come in so we can talk?"
In the midst of seeking a breakthrough, a star twinkled in Kang Hyun's mind.