Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: The Informant's Identity
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Kang Hyun's attitude was more than enough to make her feel grateful.
"Thank you so much... So, what should I do? How should I go about it?"
"First off, if you cooperate fully with the investigation in a spirit of sincere reflection, this could end with just a fine or even a suspended business suspension. But I doubt that's what you're really worried about—it's the damage to your company's image, right?"
"Yes. Our name keeps popping up in the papers in all the wrong ways."
"There's a chance to turn it around."
"Turn it around?"
She followed along with Kang Hyun's words as if mesmerized.
"Yeah. You know how sometimes a restaurant hit with hygiene scandals overhauls their kitchen and completely rebrands their image?"
"I know the concept, but in this situation..."
"Let me give you another hint. Copying more than 10% of a book's content is usually copyright infringement, but under that, it's not. So, if you implement measures to distinguish that threshold..."
"I see. The threshold."
Im Mi-yeon was sharp when it came to this kind of thing.
Even in this frustrating, hopeless situation, Kang Hyun's words sparked her determination to figure out a solution.
"If there was a system that filters out copyrighted books from unmanned copiers during bulk jobs..."
If they could develop a system that detects copyrighted books at the copying stage and prevents duplication, it would eradicate illegal binding in university districts while opening up new business opportunities for Im Mi-yeon.
Kang Hyun smiled, pleased with how quickly she caught on.
"For now, you should limit unmanned bulk copying to small quantities only, and require staff verification for larger jobs before printing."
"Got it. I'll look into other options too. I know a few people who deal with these kinds of systems."
Im Mi-yeon's face brightened a bit.
"And if the prosecutors ask for a statement showing your remorse, make sure to clearly mention these steps. The truth is, you're the one suffering because you're the responsible party here, but the real problem lies with those customers copying other people's books without permission."
By now, Kang Hyun had long forgotten Kim Jong-hwan's request. He was burning with his own desire to resolve this case.
He needed to dig into the tangled facts surrounding the incident and uncover whatever felt off about it.
And more importantly, find a fundamental solution.
"By any chance, do you know which author's books were the ones that caused the problem this time?"
Kang Hyun frowned deeply at Im Mi-yeon's response.
"Professor Yu Dong-hee from the Law School."
"What? Professor Yu Dong-hee from the Law Department?"
It seemed that sleazy merchant had some hidden backstory after all.
A puzzle began to form in Kang Hyun's mind.
'Someone illegally bound 200 copies of Professor Yu Dong-hee's specialized textbook using the unmanned copier? And I'm a law student, but I never heard about it?'
Specialized textbooks exist for students to use in class. Illegal binding is usually done by cash-strapped students, so who on earth bound a law professor's textbook and what for?
"Thank you for the info. I'll look into it more and get back to you."
"Ah? Oh, sure."
As he stood up, Im Mi-yeon politely clasped her hands and rose with him.
Her expression and demeanor were completely different from when she'd first greeted him.
She saw him off to the door with a look of deep gratitude.
"Thank you so much. You've really given me strength."
"No need. I'll do my best to help you wrap this up properly, so don't lose heart. Keep running things honestly like you have been, and look into those methods we talked about."
Leaving her with heartfelt bows behind him, Kang Hyun hurried out of the copy shop.
'Professor Yu Dong-hee...'
On his way home, Kang Hyun sank deep into thought.
From the atmosphere, it was clear that Professor Yu Dong-hee was the key to this illegal binding bust.
But the opponent was a professor. Not an easy mark.
'I need some bait...'
As if struck by a sudden idea, Kang Hyun pulled out his phone and started searching for a number to send a text.
"Here's to a good meal. Who knew I'd get coffee out of Kang Hyun the student? What an honor!"
Kang Hyun returned to the table with an iced Americano and a hot latte.
It was a small café in front of the school, but Jeong Eun-seong the journalist grinned happily, saying he was getting coffee from a college kid now.
"Thank you for making time despite your busy schedule, sir. You helped me out so much with that livelihood loan info last time—I wanted to treat you to a proper meal, but I'm sorry it's just somewhere like this."
"Come on, Kang Hyun, you're always so polite. You can loosen up a bit now. We've known each other for years—back when you were in your second year of high school, right?"
Both Jeong Eun-seong and Kang Hyun were delighted to see each other after so long.
They'd exchanged occasional phone check-ins, but hadn't met face-to-face.
Word was that Jeong Eun-seong had climbed higher in his career and was busier than ever—which was good for him, and in a way, for Kang Hyun too.
"How's college life treating you?"
"It's fine."
"A far cry from high school, huh? Back then..."
Jeong Eun-seong sipped his warm latte and reminisced about their first meeting for a while.
Whenever they talked, he always brought up that incident, praising Kang Hyun so much it made his ears burn a little, but Kang Hyun happily played along.
Once the pleasantries wrapped up, Jeong Eun-seong straightened in his seat.
Shift to the main topic.
"Alright, what's on your mind?"
Jeong Eun-seong grinned, not hiding his sharp smile. He seemed to sense that if Kang Hyun had sought him out, something was brewing.
He knew Kang Hyun's tendencies well—and he was spot on, so Kang Hyun had no reason to dodge.
"I had a question for you."
"For me to answer? Sounds like another intriguing development."
As he rolled up his sleeves and leaned in to listen, Kang Hyun didn't hesitate.
"By any chance, do you know anyone at the Korea Copyright Protection Agency?"
Jeong Eun-seong let out a deflated laugh at the sudden networking question.
"Haha, since when does Kang Hyun come asking for connections? Job hunting age already...?"
Kang Hyun waved it off with a laugh, brushing aside the teasing.
"No, no, you got the wrong idea. You know that Korea University on-campus copy shop that got busted for illegal binding?"
"Oh yeah, that was big news. 200 copies in one night, right? No way to turn a blind eye. The press hammered the manager, sparking debates about fairness..."
His body twitched like he'd caught a scent, but Kang Hyun calmly reined him in with a steady voice.
"Think you could run a counter-article for me? Something about how they're reflecting and implementing countermeasures. I'm thinking of defending the campus copy shop, so I was wondering if you knew anyone at the Copyright Protection Agency."
"Aw, man, you got my heart racing for nothing."
He leaned back in his chair, steam fizzling out.
"It's a tricky one. The media swooped in, skimmed the surface, and moved on. Even Korea University hasn't done much. You sure you want to dive in, Kang Hyun?"
"I'm just trying to help clear up the injustices. The initial report went to the Copyright Protection Agency, so if they properly collect and dispose of the copies and confirm no lawsuit intent from the copyright holder, the prosecutors might drop it and let it end with an agency advisory."
Jeong Eun-seong nodded at Kang Hyun's explanation.
"Got it. If you're set on this, I'll run the article and introduce you to someone at the agency. I know just the guy. Want me to set up a meeting?"
"Please do. I'll prepare materials based on your schedule."
"Sounds good. But..."
Jeong Eun-seong had already drained his latte.
His eyes sparkled as he stared off into the distance, muttering to himself.
"Something feels off."
He knew Kang Hyun too well. This wasn't like him to reach out without something deeper.
"Be straight with me. I'll hear your hunch."
The journalist, sensing the anomaly, pressed again, unwilling to let it go.
Kang Hyun paused, then spoke carefully.
"This illegal copying case... No matter how I look at it, it feels like the professor did it."
Jeong Eun-seong fell silent for a moment, then seemed to piece together the backstory in an instant.
"And the anonymous tipster was actually the professor?"
Kang Hyun nodded curtly.
No hard evidence yet, but his suspicion wasn't baseless. Looking back at everything, things had been unfolding unnaturally.
For starters, no one knew where those books illegally bound by students had ended up.
The bold tipster was anonymous, and aside from that, there wasn't a whisper or a glimpse of them.
In the end, no real victim had come forward, yet the media had blown it up, and Im Mi-yeon was left holding the bag—which fueled the doubts.
Tracing it back simply: Who could pull that off?
And who would benefit? Professor Yu Dong-hee fit perfectly.
"It's weird that he knew about it but didn't sue himself. Someone tipped them off, but I don't get the motive. Not public interest. Probably a grudge against Im Mi-yeon, or pressure to push her out for personal gain. Just a hunch for now, of course."
"Well, that'd make it a real farce. Professor illegally binds his own books and tips anonymously?"
Jeong Eun-seong seemed to smell a scoop from their chat.
"Hmm, I'll meet that Copyright Protection Agency contact myself. Better for me to dig into the tipster's identity."
It would actually help more if Jeong Eun-seong took the lead. With his connections, he'd have an easier time prying than Kang Hyun, a stranger.
Grateful for his enthusiasm, Kang Hyun bowed his head.
"Thank you, sir."
"Hey, the honor's mine. You always drag scandals into your orbit, Kang Hyun."
"High praise?"
"Definitely."
Jeong Eun-seong flashed a knowing smile at the retort.
Then he grinned just like the day they first met. He seemed quite intrigued by this case.
Two days had passed since parting with Jeong Eun-seong.
Ring ring!
His phone rang early one morning.
"Hello?"
It was Jeong Eun-seong.
-Checked directly with the Legal Support Division. The tipster's name is Yu Min-ji. Ring any bells? Any guesses?
"Yu Min-ji?"
-Yeah. Full details are confidential, of course...
"No, that's plenty. Thank you so much."
-Glad I could help. Need anything else?
"No. I'll call if pieces start fitting."
Click.
Kang Hyun hung up and pondered.
More precise investigation was needed, but he knew of no law student named Yu Min-ji.
More crucially: How did this Yu Min-ji know who secretly bound 150 to 200 copies overnight—and what was their motive for tipping?
If the tipster had been 'Yu Dong-hee,' it all would've clicked...
'Of course... If Yu Dong-hee had nothing to hide, he'd have sued directly. As the original author, he's protected under copyright law. But if he wanted to let it slide benevolently without suing, he could've smoothed it over himself as the rights holder—but he didn't.'
"Yu Min-ji..."
As Kang Hyun muttered in frustration, something flashed in his mind.
"Wait. Yu Min-ji?"