Chapter 177
Chapter 177
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 177
Chapter Title: Attorney Kim Han-guk
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Attorney Kim Han-guk.
A third-year associate at Odaeyang Law Firm, he had a friendly face and navigated social situations with ease.
He was the type who showed interest in those around him, bantered effortlessly, and had a playful streak.
But when it came to work, he was the complete opposite.
If you had to describe "Attorney Kim Han-guk," he was the embodiment of a lawyer—unsparing of any means or methods to secure a victory for his client in court.
In his first year after joining as an Odaeyang junior, there was the famous anecdote about locking a mid-tier conglomerate's president in a room for a week, running endless investigation simulations, and clinching a win.
Whatever the case, for a lawyer, winning was the bottom line.
Thud!
In the waiting room next to the courtroom at the Namyangju Branch of the Uijeongbu District Court, under Namyangju jurisdiction.
James Park—the suspect in this case and the youngest son of KW Construction Chairman Park Jung-seok—sat across from the impeccably suited Kim Han-guk, his hands bound in handcuffs.
"Alright, this is our last meeting before trial. It starts in ten minutes, Mr. James."
"...Yes."
"Stick to the script we practiced. Any questions?"
The utterly deflated defendant hesitated before finally speaking to Kim Han-guk. In turn, Kim's face twisted in frustration.
"What happens to me?"
"...It depends on how much weight the mitigating factors carry. But we'll do everything we can for you."
"...Everything?"
"Stick to questions about today's trial, prisoner."
Kim Han-guk's expression turned icy. James bit his lip. It was his first time being the underdog in this kind of power dynamic.
"...Yes, sir."
"Honestly, I don't even get why our team's busting our asses to downgrade the charge to negligent homicide. Truth is, Mr. James, this fits manslaughter by implied intent. Murder, plain and simple."
"..."
James glared for a moment but caught himself, clamping his mouth shut and bowing his head lower. Kim Han-guk smirked at the sight.
"Good, that's the look. Keep your head down like the sinner you are, furrow your brow more. Let a few tears well up and then fade. No yelling or cursing, or you're done for."
"...Yes."
"See you in there."
Leaving the bowed defendant behind, the folding chair scraped back.
Click-clack.
The sound of Kim Han-guk's angry footsteps in his dress shoes as he stormed out of the room.
*Pathetic.*
Out in the hallway, Kim twisted his face and reached for a cigarette before stopping short.
"Whew, crowded."
Reporters who had staked out spots since the early dawn, pouring in all their time and effort, now scrambled for better positions as the trial time approached.
Kim frowned at the pack of journalists camped out in front of the courthouse visible through the window, then fell into thought.
*Today's especially nuts.*
The media had been all over this case lately, so a big crowd for trial wasn't surprising.
But there seemed to be an extra unusual reason.
Kim knew full well it all boiled down to one thing.
*Prosecutor Kang Hyun's joining the trial. Guess I'll see that famous face in person.*
It hadn't been long since word got out he'd been appointed prosecutor, and here he was, the top rising star handling a massive case from investigation straight through to putting the defendant in the dock.
A genius prosecutor whose every move sparked huge buzz and jaw-dropping news.
*Facing off against him, huh. But it's all hype.*
A first-year prosecutor would be lucky not to shake like a leaf in court. Kim chuckled dryly, recalling his own debut in the courtroom.
"What does some green rookie think he's doing, showing up for trial? All-rounder my ass. Cocky bastards."
He couldn't even smoke thanks to the reporters, but it didn't matter.
As long as he ran the trial according to plan and delivered results worth the client's money, he'd be fine.
Rumors were just rumors—nothing more.
It didn't take long to realize that was a huge mistake.
A short while later.
Inside Courtroom 5 of the Second Criminal Division.
Before a packed gallery: the associate judges, presiding judge, prosecutor, and defendant.
The one who immediately caught Kim Han-guk's eye was Prosecutor Kang Hyun.
Glance.
He noticed Kang giving him a polite nod, but out of pride, Kim pretended not to see and looked away.
He tried telling himself it was no big deal, but instinct didn't lie.
"Court is now in session for Case No. 1008, James Park. Prosecutor, proceed with your opening statement."
"Prosecutor Kang Hyun. Let's begin."
Scrape.
The judges of this first-instance panel looked tense, befitting the case's gravity, but the robed prosecutor sat stone-faced, as if everything was under control.
*Damn. Is this why everyone's hyping Kang Hyun?*
Kim himself wasn't one to get rattled, but to sit there so impassively? It drew involuntary admiration.
And with all those envious stares on him. Even the sunlight streaming through the window behind him looked like a halo. Honestly, it was cool.
An hour into the trial.
Despite the case's severity, things proceeded without incident. At this rate, the prosecution would seek around seven years, factoring in the defendant's clean record and impaired state.
Kim planned to counter with no clear DUI evidence, the drug use not being intentional (though a stretch), admission of the initial hit-and-run but pointing to the brief police chat to poke holes in the flight element, plus show of remorse for mitigation—aiming for three years.
Or best case, five years with five years suspended.
A lucky break for Kim.
As his thoughts wrapped up, the prosecution's opening ended. Brief arguments from both sides followed, then smooth questioning of the defendant. Other evidence was handled via submitted docs, and the trial seemed headed for a routine close.
"Defendant, I have questions."
"Yes..."
"Do you recall the name of the Gangnam bar you visited before the accident?"
"Not really. I was there, but I didn't drink."
"In your first police interview record, you stated you were at the Gangnam bar 'Stand Bar' for about two hours. Don't you remember? And the receipt shows liquor purchases."
"Oh, right... but still..."
Kang Hyun's voice was crisp, tying everything neatly or cutting to the chase.
The more the trial went on, the more he seemed perfectly suited to the courtroom.
James Park, returning to the dock after reciting his prepared lines mechanically, was visibly shaking.
Scrape.
Kim leaned in slightly as he sat.
"Don't shake like we practiced. Why are you trembling?"
"...C-Can that prosecutor really be here for the trial?"
"Yeah? Prosecutors from the investigation team often join trials."
"...Can't we switch him out?"
"What are you talking about? Trial's in full swing."
"...He personally nabbed me in Namyangju. I'm scared shitless."
"The prosecutor was at the scene when you got arrested?"
Shiver, nod.
James's eyelids fluttered, his clasped hands trembling.
Kim ignored it and sighed at the new info.
*He went there himself and caught him? Impressive.*
Before they could finish talking, the presiding judge's voice rang out.
"Prosecution, any additional statements beyond the indictment for Case No. 1008?"
"Yes, Your Honor. In addition to Case No. 1008—violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, 'hit-and-run causing death,' Road Traffic Act violations including 'DUI'—we request joinder with Case No. 1028, violation of the Narcotics Control Act against defendant James Park.
The cases are temporally continuous, and their sequence shows a causal link. We'll submit relevant materials; we ask the court to join and hear them together."
The bench conferred briefly, then turned to Kim.
"Defense, any objection to joinder?"
"...No objections."
He said it flatly.
Depending on the case, joinder could reveal character flaws, hurting sentencing—clearly bad for the defense.
*Look at this guy.*
Handling joinder too? Perfectly fine, yet irritating.
But something felt off.
*...Huh?*
As the trial flowed naturally, every time Kim met Kang's eyes, Kang would nod sympathetically, like he pitied the lawyer defending a guilty man.
*Give me a break.*
Pity from some rookie prosecutor to a senior?
"Prosecutor, final arguments."
The judge's cue.
Kang rose leisurely.
Up to this point, Kim was still relaxed.
But then—click—like a switch flipped, Kang's onslaught poured forth.
"The issue here is sentencing, as guilt is clear. Defendant James Park, on the date and at the time and place stated in the indictment, drank alcohol, used narcotics, then floored his vehicle, killing five, seriously injuring eight, lightly injuring twenty-one, and fled.
This fits Article 5-3(1) of the Specific Crimes Act: 'fleeing without aiding the victim as required by Road Traffic Act Article 50(1).' Despite DUI and drug use causing sudden acceleration, he ignored police orders and fled—violating Road Traffic Act Article 44. Narcotics Control Act violation is also evident."
Then came Kang's sentencing demand.
Not five, seven, or ten years.
"We seek life imprisonment for the defendant."
"What? What did he say!"
Murmurs rippled.
Shocked gallery, James yanking Kim's arm in pallor.
"Life imprisonment?"
"He said life!"
"No way, he meant five years, right?"
Everything had gone exactly as Kang planned.
Kim had been hit with an ambush.
*Doing this on purpose?*
Amid the commotion, Kim stood, slightly flustered.
"Your Honor! Sentencing is excessive! Defendant unaware he struck victim's vehicle—no intent! Drug test positive but unintentional; DUI only circumstantial, no hard proof. Leaving scene was for treatment per police—clarified in witness testimony!"
Kang's instant rebuttal.
"No need to dwell on DUI. Namyangju South Police Station report notes about an hour of drinking at Gangnam 'Stand Bar.' CCTV confirms minimum: three 60ml soju shots, three 180ml beers. For 72kg defendant, Widmark formula yields 0.070% and 0.042%; subtract 0.015% hourly metabolism, driving BAC minimum 0.097%—license revocation level."
"That's..."
Kim fumbled against the scientific breakdown.
Kang pounced.
"Even admitting elements but denying intent or awareness requires circumstantial proof.
Even if defendant claims amnesia, driving impaired raised huge accident risk—intent inferred. He recalls hearing a 'bang' post-impact. Clear evidence of flight intent; defense claim rejected."
"Your Honor! Can't defendant's claims mitigate? Plus, cop witness said he stuck around post-crash—grounds for leniency!"
"Whether he spoke to police is irrelevant. Even admitting facts later, fleeing without aiding victim counts as 'flight' under Specific Crimes Act 5-3(1)."
"'Flight' under the Act can be interpreted variably."
"To defendant's favor? Lawyer's call, but consider legal norms and public sentiment. Odaeyang's Kim Han-guk—can you handle it?"
"...Th-That's."
Kang drew his blade; the aura hit hard.
Final minutes of trial.
Kim stood dazed, like prey facing the monster before him—Kang Hyun.