Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: Elevated to Senior Level
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51.
Bismuth was the term for the international moot court competition.
"Undergrads going to Bismuth?"
"Quiet, they'll hear you."
Amid the mixed reactions of anticipation and annoyance to Kang Hyun's remarks, a mocking voice rang out clearly this time.
Nam Shin-hwa seemed to pick up on the atmosphere and cut in sharply.
"Check the materials list I gave you and go find them."
"I've already skimmed the list you provided. Out of the ten new ratification treaties, eight are gazette-notification treaties, which I believe carry relatively less weight for Bismuth discussion topics. In short, it's insufficient."
"Do you know what gazette-notification treaties mean when you say that?"
"Yes. They're simplified treaties published in the Official Gazette under the Foreign Minister's name, bypassing the full treaty ratification procedures stipulated by law. They must be based on model laws, so they've faced criticism for lacking legal basis, and discussions for legislative backing are underway."
"...The prevailing view from an international law perspective is that there's no flaw. Just because there are talks about legislation means they carry less weight?"
Nam Shin-hwa swallowed hard as he countered.
Then, arming himself with composure, he examined Kang Hyun more closely.
The person sitting before him, utterly unflappable, with a polite smile. He was starting to get curious about him.
"For example, the mutual recognition agreement for driver's licenses follows the Road Traffic Act, and the executive agreement in arts, education, and youth sectors follows the Culture and Arts Industry Promotion Act."
"So?"
"In other words, these gazette-notification treaties based on international law adhere to domestic law. Thus, while there's no real flaw, if someone picks at it, there's plenty of room for debate. Fundamentally, it's an issue that inevitably requires legislative backing at some point. Given that such procedures are under discussion, I don't think related topics will come up at Bismuth."
"I'll refute that."
"No need. Please hear me out. I'm not trying to win this argument logically—I'm just questioning the perspective on trends in the International Law Society."
"...And the other two topics? Does that logic hold?"
Nam Shin-hwa now openly aggressive, snapped at Kang Hyun, then realized everyone was listening and raised his hand.
"Ah... sorry. If I may say, I don't think Kang Hyun is being rude. I just got heated up along with your passion."
"It's fine. May I continue?"
Nam Shin-hwa nodded and adjusted his posture at Kang Hyun's response.
Kang Hyun was no ordinary person, and he might be even more remarkable than he'd thought.
Of course, he couldn't fully acknowledge him yet.
It was only natural. Who in their right mind would expect a young first-year undergrad to think and judge at the level of an overseas joint investigation team prosecutor or an international judge?
"The first item on the list, the agreement on external economic cooperation fund loans between our government and another, and the international volunteer dispatch agreement noted below, could have political undertones."
"You're saying academic conferences don't provide politically tinged topics for discussion?"
"Yes. But I'm only saying they could veer political. The agreement on providing economic cooperation fund loans is fine. However, depending on the types of projects agreed upon later and the designated agencies, it could draw criticism. Also, the overseas volunteer group is medical aid with no political intent so far, but the country in question is at war."
"That's valid, but it's just your personal opinion, Kang Hyun, and the likelihood is low."
"Yet I know this slim possibility could lower their priority for moot court topic selection."
Once he finished, Kang Hyun took a breath to refresh himself and glanced around.
The room was silent.
Unlike the noisy other sessions, everyone was holding their breath, listening to the exchange.
Kang Hyun desperately pressing with direct tactics for high-priority 'real' materials, and Nam Shin-hwa blocking him.
Their debate was sure to become the highlight of this International Law Society conference.
...
After a long silence, Nam Shin-hwa closed his eyes, lowered his head, and sank into thought.
Kang Hyun sat still in response, staring intently at the materials.
Some time passed.
Nam Shin-hwa lifted his head and looked at Kang Hyun naturally.
"Have you attended the annual general meeting before?"
"No, first time."
Tension rippled through the now-silent hall at Kang Hyun's answer.
First time...?
Everyone swallowed in disbelief.
Cameras had gathered around their session unnoticed, flashes popping wildly as they captured the moment.
Breaking the silence, his words to Kang Hyun were shocking.
"Kang Hyun, you don't belong here. Go up to the 'senior level' and talk there."
Kang Hyun gripped his pounding heart inwardly at those words.
The level vaguely described online as merely the 'highest tier,' no matter how thoroughly he'd searched.
Nam Shin-hwa was offering him access.
"Senior level?"
"A first-year college kid?"
"Look! It's Kang Hyun, right? That Kang Hyun!"
The crowd erupted in excited exclamations.
Nam Shin-hwa ignored it, beckoning a staff member with a hand and whispering instructions.
Then, nodding to Kang Hyun, he said,
"Continue the discussion at senior level. Tonight's the last day with a celebratory banquet, but can you spare more time?"
"Of course."
Kang Hyun replied calmly.
An unprecedented event.
In the history of law society events, workshop levels had never been upgraded mid-consultation.
Flashes intensified, and reporters circled like predators awaiting their prey as Kang Hyun rose.
But Kang Hyun's serene expression only made the scene more astonishing.
VIP room at the International Law Society venue.
In the dimly curtained room darker than the hall, Seok Ji-hoon stared blankly ahead at his cold coffee and spoke tonelessly.
"...I heard you out."
He seemed to be trying to hide his anger.
"You're getting better at hiding that displeased look."
"If I were hiding it, I'd do it better. Just get to the point."
"I only conversed by principles and answered questions."
Before Seok Ji-hoon sat a man in a gray suit with a polka-dot tie, slightly gaunt face, and rimless glasses. His nameplate gleamed under the light: Song Ha-dong, ICC Director.
Seok Ji-hoon was unexpectedly struggling.
He hadn't anticipated 'him' sitting there today.
"Professor..."
"It's been years since I retired."
...
He furrowed his brow slightly in defiance.
"Fine. No need to drag out meaningless talk. I didn't expect the Director, who's left the domestic scene, to show up, so I'm just glad for this unexpected meeting."
"You couldn't imagine me here, but you were too reckless."
"No. The moment you arrived, my preparations became pointless."
"You're rudely implying I'm not impartial."
"That's why I remember your words: thoroughly reject the fringe and follow the mainstream. You told me that when you were at Korea University."
"I must've been foolish even then to advise you."
"Yet Korea University still backs me."
"The ruling party does. You'd suit being a National Assembly member more than a prosecutor."
...
A tense verbal sparring match unfolded, but their voices echoed into the void without raised tones or emotional whirlwinds.
Then.
Knock knock.
"It's Nam Shin-hwa."
Their gazes flicked to the door at the unexpected knock and voice.
There was a reason senior level—especially the 'ICC (International Criminal Court)' and other international tribunal directors' workshop—was called the 'VIP workshop.'
Time was unlimited, and once questions started, no interruptions from outside. It was strictly for participants.
Yet that unwritten rule was being broken now.
Nam Shin-hwa, a seasoned mid-level administrator in the Foreign Ministry's international law division, surely knew this, so there must be good reason for intruding.
"Come in."
Song Ha-dong said in a low voice. The door opened, and Nam Shin-hwa entered briskly, shoes clicking.
He nodded lightly to Seok Ji-hoon and said,
"Forgive my rudeness."
"It's fine. I've already been rude."
Ignoring the sarcasm, Nam Shin-hwa turned to Song Ha-dong, approached, and whispered in his ear.
Song Ha-dong grinned, showing his buck teeth.
Then, looking at Seok Ji-hoon with sudden cheer,
"The Q&A time was over anyway, so no issue. Right?"
...
Song Ha-dong had heard the intriguing report from Nam Shin-hwa and abruptly proposed ending the feedback session with Seok Ji-hoon.
It violated protocol, but their conversation had reached a dead end anyway, so Seok Ji-hoon acted swiftly.
He had no desire to bruise his pride further or beg.
"...Let's end it here. I have nothing more to say."
"Good. Nice seeing you. Hope to see you at Korea University's moot court sometime."
"You will."
As the talk wrapped and Seok Ji-hoon moved to leave expressionless, a sudden curiosity made him turn to Song Ha-dong.
"But... why are you here?"
"What do you mean?"
"In Korea. Is something up? Just curious."
Song Ha-dong, in his three-year ICC Director term, spent most time abroad; visits to Korea were countable on one hand.
That today was one such rare domestic stay was astonishing, given how long he'd been out of the local scene.
"Coming back, aren't I? No need to play dumb. Tsk."
Seok Ji-hoon's eyes widened at the answer. His arch-nemesis old mentor returning.
He stared rigidly, stiff as a board.