Chapter 210
Chapter 210
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 210
Chapter Title: Reunion at the Yongin Branch
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211.
Ministry of Justice Judicial Research and Training Institute, Yongin Branch.
Structurally a superior office to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, but this place faithfully fulfilled its role as a training institute in peaceful quiet.
Opening the door to what appeared to be a cramped space from the outside revealed an unexpectedly spacious interior.
Through the windows of the L-shaped building, a quaint garden adorned with ornamental trees came into view, making for a quite pleasant sight.
Kang Hyun and Professor Kim Jong-hwan faced each other in the guest reception room set up inside the clean facilities, which had been newly built not long ago.
"The place is buzzing with students—it's good to see the institute like this. Have a seat."
Professor Kim Jong-hwan, acting as if the branch director were a friend of his despite being a guest himself, gestured for Kang Hyun to sit.
As soon as he bowed his head slightly and took his seat, refreshments and hot coffee were promptly served.
"Have some. You probably didn't even get a proper meal rushing up here, did you?"
"I grabbed something quick. What brings you here, Professor?"
"I came for a drink."
Only after the conversation began did Kang Hyun notice the name tag necklace slung around Kim Jong-hwan's neck.
'Korea University Law School, Professor Kim Jong-hwan.'
He seemed to have come in his capacity as a professor to guide and assist the students.
"And that's my line to ask. What brings you here in the middle of your busy schedule to a student camp?"
"I'm the youngest prosecutor, so that's how it ended up."
"Haha. That's how society works, isn't it?"
"Heh heh, I think they sent me here to get some rest."
As Kang Hyun smiled slyly, Kim Jong-hwan burst into cheerful laughter and took a sip of the hot, aromatic coffee.
"Yeah. I'm watching your exploits from behind the scenes."
"It wasn't anything special."
"Hah. Maybe that's how you see it. But the world's eyes see it differently. Our great prosecutor, Kang Hyun."
He spoke as if to himself, winking mischievously. Embarrassed, Kang Hyun gulped down his coffee.
"You were all over the news right after joining the prosecutors' office. I knew it wouldn't end there. Suspecting drug use by the suspect in the major pileup accident and securing an arrest warrant for detention hearing. Identifying and indicting the suspect in the defamation case against a famous celebrity, plus adding drug charges."
"Wow, you really know about it."
"I know it all. Bundling in the KW Construction subcontractors and securing detention hearings for over ten related parties, along with arrest warrants for bribery against CEO Park Jung-seok and our own Deputy Prosecutor Gu Ik-hwan. I knew that deputy would cause trouble. Prosecutors who meddle in politics and business go off the rails quick. You know that, right?"
"I know it well."
Slurp.
In any case, Kang Hyun was grateful that he knew all about his achievements inside out. After a moment of thought, he was finally able to bring up Kim Jong-hwan's most recent news.
"Comparing back when it was the Law Department to now as a professional law school, what's the difference?"
"Hard to find someone like you these days. The kids have changed a lot in just a few years. The students lack passion. No passion."
The grumbling of a mentor he hadn't seen in a long time.
The past few months of madly charging forward came vividly to mind, making him nod unconsciously in the conviction that he'd done well.
A long calm and leisure.
He had studied intensely even as a university student, but compared to real-world duties, those days had been relatively relaxed.
"Sometimes I miss my school days."
"You suffered with the homework I assigned, huh?"
"No. It was fun. Getting recognition felt good, and there was that thrill of growth."
"Yeah. Good answer."
Just as they were about to sink into old memories for a moment.
"These days, there are things even I can't handle. You know about the Korea University issue?"
Hearing his words, Kang Hyun suddenly recalled the recent scandal involving Korea University that he'd seen in the news.
"...Is it about the university president position?"
"Yeah. Chaos over the appointment authority again lately. It's a chronic problem. The board of directors and the faculty council had a showdown. I can only play dumb, but this time it feels different."
"Yes. I see."
Kang Hyun was well aware of the Korea University president's seat that had been churning for years before finally exploding.
With Daejin Group taking many positions at the school, the atmosphere at Korea University had changed a lot.
Tuition fees had skyrocketed first and foremost, along with mergers of unprofitable departments.
It was practically 'the privatization of a national university.'
"Headache upon headache."
"It's not like the old school anymore."
"Tsk. The faculty council has been making recommendations for decades. And now they're ignoring it to put a businessman in as president. Daejin Group gobbles up the board and is turning the school into just another corporation. They see it as a profit-making tool. If you'd been a professor there, you'd have been raging nonstop."
"...Who's pulling the strings on the board?"
"Daejin Group Education Foundation Chairman Choi Jae-cheol. He's trying to install a puppet. A solid puppet."
'Choi Jae-cheol.'
Kang Hyun's face, which had held a hint of a smile, darkened slightly.
He knew the man well: Choi Jae-cheol.
In the past, the guy had tried that nonsense of stuffing money into him—what they called 'slipping in bribes'—to pull him into Daejin's fold.
Someone who didn't look kindly on Kang Hyun but still followed orders from above to the letter.
Daejin Group and Choi Jae-cheol were eyeing Korea University.
If it were the right direction, Kang Hyun would welcome it with open arms, but knowing Daejin's tendencies made him uneasy.
Discriminatory education, grooming nobles to succeed nobles, breeding puppets for Daejin.
"...Not good."
"If you're bored, look into it. There must be something there. If you're not too busy."
"I'll think about it, but I don't have that kind of power yet."
Even as he said that, Kang Hyun found himself taking a slight interest in the Korea University incident.
'Korea University jurisdiction—Southern District Prosecutors' Office, or Central, maybe?'
As his alma mater, he hoped it wouldn't veer off course like in the past, both now and in the future. And he also wanted payback against those still making a mess there.
Kang Hyun was the type who couldn't let slights go unanswered in kind.
Kim Jong-hwan quietly watched Kang Hyun's suddenly serious face.
Clearing his throat a few times to change the mood, he rummaged and pulled something out.
"Ahem. Still some good stuff left."
He pulled out a small brochure, and Kang Hyun smiled at the sight.
[Korea University Law School, Legal Clinic]
"You deserve to see this before even the branch director. No matter how tainted by money the school gets, isn't this one pretty good?"
"The Legal Clinic. It's running well."
"It's your legacy, isn't it? When you return to Seoul and settle down, come in as an advisor. Not sure if I'll still be around then."
"That would be great for me. Thank you for always watching my back."
The on-campus organization that Kang Hyun had personally pushed to create was thriving, meaning he was greatly contributing to nurturing juniors.
He was grateful to Professor Kim Jong-hwan for keeping it from becoming nominal after he left, with such careful attention. And he felt proud of himself for making the right choice.
Noticing Kang Hyun's emotions, Kim Jong-hwan closed his eyes briefly.
"You're always like that. With your outstanding brains and charisma, you could just make money and call it a day. Even back then, your dream wasn't lawyer or businessman—it was solely prosecutor. Choosing the hard path. Still aiming to take down the president?"
"Of course, but right now I'm trying to do whatever I can from my current position."
"Whoa. Tasted some real society, huh? You've gotten humble."
"Now that I'm in the organization, there are things I can't overturn with my power alone. Like how a regular prosecutor can't beat a senior prosecutor."
"Hah. After shipping Park Min-seong off to Jeju."
Professor Kim Jong-hwan's reaction to Kang Hyun's words was quite amusing. For a moment, it was like the expression he wore back when Kang Hyun was making a name for himself as a prosecutor.
"You're different. Just the name Kang Hyun is enough to flip your cohort, positions, and titles. You can charge like a bull, overturn everything, and push even harder—no one could stop you!"
"You really think so?"
"Absolutely! Haven't you wisely navigated a series of cases? As a result, you're already the top dog in this organization."
A fierce flame blazed in Professor Kim Jong-hwan's eyes for a moment. Kang Hyun knew this side of him well.
He always got like this when hoping Kang Hyun would respond to his drive and boldness.
And his reactions had always been a stimulus.
Professor Kim Jong-hwan's voice grew louder.
"When you overturn, do it big. When you claim a seat, claim it firmly. Even if you pull off one big case and demand a senior prosecutor position right away, who could stop you?"
Heh.
"...No one could."
"Yeah! That's the spirit!"
Haha, Professor Kim Jong-hwan laughed heartily.
It must have felt good to ignite the spark of inspiration in his brilliant protégé's confidence and drive.
In simple terms, it was just talk.
But Kang Hyun was different.
'Senior prosecutor position, huh.'
Thinking about it, it made sense, and it wasn't impossible.
In civil servant terms, a deputy senior prosecutor was equivalent to grade 3. Senior prosecutors were high-ranking officials at na grade, deputies at ga, and chief prosecutors at vice-ministerial.
Treatment surpassing a top regular prosecutor early in his career?
There were things he could only do by climbing higher faster—why exclude that?
No need for step-by-step here.
'Senior level, at least deputy senior treatment. Sounds good.'
The conversation with Kim Jong-hwan seemed to greatly influence his next move. Kang Hyun's mind began spinning rapidly.
The brief break ended in the afternoon.
A stern shout from a student who looked young rang out in the hall. The expressions of the students responding were no joke either.
"Your Honor! This trial is invalid! The witness is lying!"
"Objection! This is a proven case of baseless claims by the defense!"
Mock trial demonstration.
High school students had prepared mock trials, observed by prosecutors, professors, and authorities from various schools.
The camp participants had poured their hearts into the programs running in each conference room.
'Brings back memories.'
Kang Hyun was a camp advisor and facilitator for one high school group, but at this moment, he was free to roam the rooms, checking the skills of promising talents drawing attention and offering advice.
A must-pass for anyone dreaming of law school or a legal career. A crucial spot for building experience and activities into specs.
Especially as a Supreme Prosecutors' Office program where they could get feedback from celebrities. Some students probably dreamed just of making it this far.
"You should go to Room 301, Class A, sir."
"Got it."
"This way."
"Ah, I can go alone—thank you."
Guided by a staffer, he arrived at the Class A high school demonstration room in 301.
'Huh?'
The moment Kang Hyun opened the door, the noisy space fell deathly silent in an instant, with students freezing like ice.
"...!"
"Gasp, he's here."
"What do we do?"
Whoosh!
One student—representative or team leader—shot to her feet and declared loudly.
"All rise."
"No need! Hello."
"Uh, uh."
The tall male student who had stood to greet him looked even more flustered at Kang Hyun's words, caught in limbo between sitting and standing for a moment.
"Ah, hello."
"Hello."
Stammering, fumbling.
Kang Hyun flashed his usual smile before the tense students, but they bowed their heads like they'd met the president, unable to even make eye contact.
'The atmosphere...?'
Even Kang Hyun was taken aback, but he knew he couldn't show it.
He greeted them as naturally and gently as possible.
"Hello. I'm Prosecutor Kang Hyun. Nice to meet you. Let's make the most of our short time."
"..."
Maybe awkward because it was the first time, they all kept their mouths firmly shut.
A few managed to raise their heads and meet his eyes.
'Why is everyone...'
Just as a question flickered in Kang Hyun's mind.
"Wow, it's really... Kang Hyun."
In a flash, someone muttered in a tiny voice.
That one remark was the trigger. The frozen students' faces relaxed all at once, erupting into applause and cheers.
"It's really Kang Hyun!"
"Wow!"
"Amazing..."
"Can we get a follow on social media?"
"You're so handsome! Just one photo, please!"
Reactions beyond fervent—utterly wild. Like a famous movie star had appeared.
He'd received enough public attention that most people recognized his face, and his name was known to all after major cases.
But when the people seeing him were young students dreaming of entering the legal world, directly related to them?
The response was inevitable. Shyness be damned.
Chaos erupted in seconds.
Whoosh.
As students swarmed, the staffer who'd only accompanied him briefly to drop him off blocked between Kang Hyun and the students like a bodyguard to calm them.
"Hang on, hang on! Students! There's greeting time later!"
Kang Hyun told the staff trying to calm them it was fine, but hearing the commotion, more staff rushed in like arrows to protect him.
"Whoa, hey. We'll calm the students!"
"Please follow instructions!"
"For the event to proceed, please take your seats."
They arrived as if they'd been waiting.
'Weird. Feels like I'm under protection?'
He'd felt this several times before, but why here?
"I-it's fine. Thank you."
"If anything's inconvenient, let us know. That's our job."
"Pardon?"
The staff's meaningful words.
Weren't event staff usually part-timers? Their tone carried serious weight.
Kang Hyun's puzzled expression cleared up with their walkie-talkie chatter.
-Prosecutor Kang's side, situation cleared?
-Yes. 301 is fine, low numbers.
-Roger. Keep watch. Re-emphasize safety precautions and compliance.
That was it.
At this Supreme Prosecutors' Office-hosted camp event, Kang Hyun hadn't come as just any ordinary prosecutor.
He was receiving VIP treatment with bodyguards secretly attached—without even realizing it.
The organizers knew full well: where he went, crowds followed, and incidents could happen anytime.
It turned out there were already two or three security teams dedicated solely to protecting and shadowing him.