Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: The Sound of Taxes Melting Away
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Meanwhile, in a place entirely different from the meetings of companies in America trying to cash in on the Korean food craze sweeping the nation, a completely different kind of discussion was taking place.
The Republic of Korea, Ministry of Gender Equality conference room.
"A criminal who ignored the law and fled abroad is melting away the dignity of our nation!"
The Minister of Gender Equality slammed her fist on the table with a bang! and exploded in anger.
That's right.
Kim Ji-young, the 54-year-old minister born in 1972.
She was furious.
"Going on broadcasts and saying Korea doesn't protect victims? That the law is wrong? This is unacceptable! We need to lodge a strong protest through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs right now!"
She had been immersed in women's studies since childhood and carried a sense of mission to protect women's rights.
Watching Kim Ji-hoon's videos circulating online, she felt the women's rights framework she had painstakingly built in Korea crumbling from the roots.
A man who skipped out without property division was receiving worldwide acclaim?
If they let this slide, their female supporters would shower them with massive backlash, and protests from various women's groups would rain down—it was obvious.
"They're promoting international marriages, effectively encouraging arranged marriages for sale!"
Such protests were already pouring in.
With marriage and birth rates already hitting rock bottom, the department was already branded as useless.
In this situation, they couldn't afford to lose the support of women, their sole base.
Minister Kim Ji-young looked around the conference room and said,
"Right now, let's discuss how our ministry should respond to this incident."
Minister Kim Ji-young's words settled heavily over the room.
First to speak was Park Eun-kyung, the legal affairs officer.
"Minister, legally we can't intervene directly... but there are indirect methods."
"Indirect methods?"
"Yes. How about consulting with judges in the women's community? Ask if there are legal interpretations or measures to prevent this kind of law-breaking behavior."
Minister Kim Ji-young nodded.
"Good idea, Officer Park. Push it forward immediately. Contact the women's legal network."
Officer Park continued,
"Also... I understand Kim Ji-hoon's ex-wife, Kim Ji-su, is currently suing in America. We should consider reaching out to her at the ministry level to provide legal support or assistance where needed. Protecting victims is our duty."
"Of course!"
The minister's voice grew louder.
"We must support her! She's the real victim! Find a way to contact her right away."
Next, PR manager Lee Hye-rin stepped up.
"Minister, we're completely losing the public opinion war right now. Kim Ji-hoon's YouTube reach is too massive. We need to produce a video on our official Ministry YouTube channel refuting his claims point by point. Reemphasize why the law recognizes property division and how valuable women's household labor is."
"Excellent! Submit a plan immediately. Make it provocative yet logical!"
Officer Park Eun-kyung cautiously added,
"Fundamentally... we need to prevent cases like this where people renounce citizenship and flee. Make international marriage procedures stricter, or impose penalties on citizenship renunciation without completing property division... We should consider new legislation like that."
"Absolutely necessary!"
The minister slammed the table again.
"Review laws to block this kind of 'eat and run' immediately."
Finally, external cooperation secretary Choi Min-hee spoke.
"Minister, I'll inquire with the police and prosecutors. Kim Ji-hoon clearly lost his civil lawsuit in Korea. Using that judgment as basis, I'll check if we can detain him immediately for asset concealment or debt evasion if he ever enters Korea."
"Yes! Perfect, Secretary Choi!"
Minister Kim Ji-young beamed, pleased with all the suggestions.
"Everyone hear that? We're at a critical juncture. Let's mobilize every method to restore Korea's women's rights!"
The meeting ended with unprecedented resolve.
Why was the Ministry of Gender Equality responding so aggressively?
It wasn't just about Kim Ji-hoon's remarks or vindicating Ji-su.
It was purely a matter of the organization's survival.
Ironically, for the Ministry of Gender Equality to persist, unreasonable issues affecting women had to keep erupting.
Ongoing gender conflict.
That was the sole driving force allowing them to draw salaries from taxpayers' money.
No conflict meant no reason for the department's existence.
Moreover, the Ministry of Gender Equality wielded immense power within the government.
Not only did it receive strong budget backing from the administration, it even had authority to allocate budgets to other ministries.
Among agencies, it was the honeypot of honeypots.
They had no intention of letting go of that vast power and sweetness.
But recently, with marriage rates crashing through the floor and the world's lowest birth rates,
the public had branded them a "useless department."
It was a crisis.
And then the Kim Ji-hoon incident exploded.
Ignoring court rulings, mocking victims, and even inciting international marriages as a hero in America.
This was their long-awaited golden opportunity to prove their worth and rally their sole supporters—women.
That's why they were jumping on this case so proactively and desperately.
Her name carried tremendous weight in the women's community.
"Dongduk's one and only legal professional in history."
Judge Choi Hyun-jin, backed strongly by the women's movement.
Especially in family court—if you drew Judge Choi Hyun-jin, your assets were guaranteed to be split in half.
This was accepted as gospel.
And coincidentally, she was the one who ruled the 50% property division against Ji-hoon.
After Ji-hoon became America's hero, her name bounced around internet communities, drawing massive abuse.
"Unfit to be a judge."
"Biased ruling."
Hearing such things, Judge Choi Hyun-jin wanted revenge but had no means.
Kim Ji-hoon was already an American citizen.
She could only nurse her bitter resentment.
Then came an inquiry from the Ministry of Gender Equality on legal options.
About that very Kim Ji-hoon she'd been grinding her teeth over.
Judge Choi Hyun-jin was overjoyed inwardly.
Someone who bruised her pride.
Especially women—they never forget those who humiliate them.
Because they live by their pride.
She immediately accepted the ministry's proposal.
And began gleefully reexamining legal ways to bind him.
"So... you're offering support?"
Ji-su was stunned, wondering if this was a dream.
In truth, she had planned to drop the U.S. lawsuit.
Why?
No more money to squeeze out.
She was already a month behind on law firm payments, and her parents said "no more" as it was hard to keep giving.
Naturally, a normal household couldn't shell out nearly ten million won monthly.
So, dodging the law firm's催促 calls in despair, a ray of light descended like a miracle.
The Ministry of Gender Equality.
But she had to think carefully.
The ministry rep offered support on condition she step forward against Kim Ji-hoon.
"...Even calculating past and future lawsuit costs, I'd still lose money even if I win."
Ji-su tried to refuse.
Her current boyfriend Min-jun was luckily rising as a rookie actor.
Still supporting roles, but his acting was praised, and he seemed set to establish himself.
But if she went public now and her face got known, it would spell trouble for marrying Min-jun later.
Sure, using her parents' money felt a bit wasteful now.
But the future gains from marrying Min-jun would far outweigh it.
Debts could be paid later.
"...I won't do it."
At Ji-su's refusal, the ministry staffer jumped in surprise.
Ji-su was essential for the PR war against Kim Ji-hoon.
"Why... why not? We'll cover all future lawsuit costs..."
"Future support, you say."
Ji-su shot back sharply.
"You're not compensating my past losses. And even if you do, it'd just pay off debts. Plus, I have a boyfriend now and want to marry— I don't want my face out there. Why should I take that risk?"
"Ah! I see the misunderstanding."
The staffer quickly changed tack.
"It's not just future support— we can cover all past lawsuit costs too, from the ministry's emergency aid budget for female victims."
The sound of taxes melting away softly.
Budgets had to be spent quickly to secure more next year, after all.
For a mere 100 million won in legal fees, a fight that'd last less than a year at most.
Pressure the firm with a government agency's name, and it was done.
The ministry staffer smirked confidently, sure Ji-su would accept now.
Hearing that, Ji-su's mind raced.
'Oh ho~ They really need me, huh?'
Ji-su smirked inwardly.
"Whew... It's still tough. Sorry."
Ji-su refused again.
Playing hard to get raises the price and improves terms, after all.
"Ah... No, why?"
The staffer was visibly flustered.
Ji-su subtly dropped her real demand.
"Truth is... my boyfriend's a rookie actor. If I step out now, he might dump me later. Fans would hate it... If you guarantee that part, I might consider it."
That's right.
Ji-su had been feeling uneasy about Min-jun growing distant lately under the "busy" excuse.
Threatening exposure would just sink them both, so no.
She wanted to laze at home comfortably again.
For that, she needed to lock in marriage with Min-jun somehow.
The staffer pondered, then decided.
"......Alright. If you actively participate, we'll appoint your boyfriend as a ministry PR ambassador and slot him into broadcasts under our influence."
That's right.
The broadcasting world had long been dominated by the women's network.
"Actor? Variety? CF? Just say the word. We'll back you to stardom."
At those words, Ji-su finally beamed.
She extended her hand to the staffer.
"Please take care of me."
"Yes, likewise. We count on you, Ji-su."
Ji-su and the ministry staffer smiled, confirming mutual benefits.
The ministry would publicize their diligent work, gaining justification for continued existence.
Ji-su secured the surest gain: Min-jun, boosted by her help to stardom, could never abandon her.