Global (14): Deep-seated Rage
"Hello, this is Issue Review. I'm your reviewer, Yoon Hyun-cheol."
"My channel reviews recent news and trending topics while sharing viewer reactions in the comments."
"Today's topic is a recent prosecutor's briefing video that's become a hot issue because of the prosecutor's expression."
"Take a look at the footage."
"This video shows Prosecutor Seo Myeong-deok, currently assigned to the Jinju Branch, briefing on the takedown of a drug organization active in the Busan and Gyeongnam regions, complete with supporting footage."
"The screen displays gang members holding an afternoon drinking party and causing a disturbance at a hotel. When tattooed thugs with their shirts off start chanting 'fighting' one after another, Prosecutor Seo turns his head as if suppressing his anger, squeezes his eyes shut, bites his lip hard, and visibly trembles."
"The clip has spread online under the title 'Deep-seated Rage Rising from the Core.'"
"Comments defending the prosecutor poured in: 'The prosecutor looks really pissed off,' 'Those guys just ended their lives,' and so on."
"Back in the day you never saw organized crime out in the open like this. Seeing them act so brazenly in broad daylight makes me wonder whether the world has gotten better or worse."
"There's also a recent interview with a broadcaster that's generating buzz."
"In the interview, Prosecutor Seo said, 'I must have lost my composure for a moment because I was so angry. When I saw the footage we'd seized during the investigation blown up on the big screen in the briefing room, it all came rushing back.' He added, 'One netizen left a comment saying "That's deep-seated rage rising straight from the core," and that perfectly captured how I felt.'"
"He continued, 'When you're dealing with gangsters and drug dealers, they should be groveling, yet here they are covered in tattoos, bragging about being "number one in the district" or "a national star," throwing parties together. It was disgusting. It turned my stomach.' Then he declared, 'The war on organized crime has effectively been declared. From now on, if anyone is connected to gangsters, don't expect any leniency. I'll show results through action and performance, not words.'"
"Given the public's serious concerns about organized crime and drug offenses, interest in Prosecutor Seo has risen alongside hopes that he will conduct proper investigations and deliver appropriate punishments."
"With that, I too hope these crimes disappear from our country as soon as possible. This concludes today's Issue Review. Oh, and please like and subscribe!"
I'd be pissed too. The screen's too small to see clearly, but those guys don't look like they're from our organization, do they?
'Executive Director Ha, are the people in that video under us?' —GB(38.5)
'No, sir. They're from the Cider crew and the Chungmugong crew.' —Executive Director Ha (37.1)
Whew. That's a relief, at least. If our guys held a meeting like that, they'd all get picked up on the spot.
'At least that's a relief.' —GB(38.5)
But didn't we take them out?
'The problem has moved back up to Seoul. He's been appointed head of the Narcotics Investigation Division at the Western District Prosecutors' Office.' —Executive Director Ha (37.1)
Damn it.
'Several teams have already been taken down.' —Executive Director Ha (37.1)
I asked Executive Director Ha if we could use the method we'd tried before, but he said it would be difficult. The man has the media behind him now, so using the press to sideline him again won't be easy.
That makes sense.
'Do we have to take the hit?' —GB(38.5)
'So I was thinking we might push him forward instead.' —Executive Director Ha (37.1)
Why would we push him when we should be taking him down? The next words made it clear.
'I'm thinking of using our connections to send him to the National Assembly.' —Executive Director Ha (37.1)
Ah… the general election is this year.
'Yes, that sounds like a good idea. It would be even better if he were sent down to the Busan area. Let's make it happen.' —GB(38.5)
'Be especially careful when distributing in Prosecutor Seo's jurisdiction. Or suspend operations there for the time being.' —GB(38.5)
'Understood. We'll pause for now.' —Executive Director Ha (37.1)
Everything except the sales division was running smoothly. The domestic sales team was one thing, but the China and Japan teams were absolute gold mines. When I mentioned that selling too much might draw complaints from the local organizations, Executive Director Ha brushed off the concern.
'We're paying them generous commissions, so it's fine.' —Executive Director Ha (37.1)
I told him to keep them happy with proper entertainment and by catering to their preferences. When I asked about the security team, he simply reported that reinforcements had been completed. Come to think of it, that had been under my jurisdiction. I should find time to contact the team leaders.
The manufacturing lines had considered shutting down, but with inventory moving, they were still running. Cannabis and opium were being sold as soon as they were produced. Ali was bringing in a lot, apparently riding high on success, but the quality was still unstable. He kept whining for price increases, so I told Executive Director Ha to crack down until consistent quality was achieved. I also reminded him to check quality with every shipment. We'd caught him trying to pass off inferior product before. After seeing things abroad, I stressed that quality control was essential. Especially with pure product being so hard to find, buyers were desperate for it. I wished him good health and ended the call.
Our business really is this difficult. Just when things seem to be going well, some external wind blows everything away.
A week later, in Vladivostok, I handed over the cargo documents bound for Cancún to Diaz and the documents bound for France to Valentin, then boarded a plane. After nearly a month there, I was starting to draw attention. While wondering where to go next, I searched for good winter resorts and Switzerland popped up as a recommended destination. So I set my course for Zurich.
Like a nomad wandering Europe. Valentin tried to persuade me to stay longer—whether he meant it or not—but I coolly told him we'd meet again and parted ways at Charles de Gaulle Airport. He even gave me a ride. I appreciated it. I'd actually been wondering how I'd get out of there. Thankfully, crossing borders within EU countries isn't too complicated. They checked us almost like a domestic flight in Korea. Still, as a foreigner I had to go through passport control for entry and exit. When I said I was on vacation, they let me through.
While waiting at immigration, I looked it up and saw plenty of stories about how good the Shin Ramyun tasted at Jungfrau. I figured I should try everything other people do. After landing at Zurich Airport, I took the Glacier Express and enjoyed the snow to my heart's content. I should learn to ski too. These days Korean travel apps are really well made. When I searched for skiing in Switzerland on the app, it even showed Korean instructors. I signed up like a student on a field trip. The moment I did, a KakaoTalk message arrived. Long live the Republic of Korea.
'Hello? This is Lee Eun-kyung from Interlaken Korea Ski.'
'Is this Choi Eunsu?'
'Yes, that's me.'
'I see you signed up for a lesson. Is this your first time?'
'Yes, please teach me from the beginning.'
'Ah… how long are you planning to stay? First-timers often feel it's a shame if they only take lessons here.'
'I'm thinking about a week.'
'That's fortunate. When would be a good time for you?'
'Would the afternoon work? I want to try it right away.'
When I said I wanted to start right away, she sent me the bank account details. True to form for a Korean instructor, it was a Korean bank account.
'Yes, I've transferred the money. I'll see you this afternoon.'
'Understood. I'll pick you up at your hotel in the afternoon.'
I took public transportation from Zurich Airport to my lodging. It was a hotel recommended by Korean travelers, and I could already hear Korean being spoken in the lobby. It felt like coming home. There were newlyweds and college students around. Since check-in time hadn't arrived yet, I left my luggage and waited for the instructor.
After about an hour, a message came saying the instructor had departed. It was a Nissan pickup truck. When a European-looking girl got out, I was taken aback. Wasn't this supposed to be a Korean lesson?
"Hello? Eunsu?"
"Yes, that's me."
She was Korean, all right. Her Korean was fluent.
"My mother is Korean. I lived in Korea for a while."
I hadn't asked.
"Everyone gets confused, so I just say it first. Hehe."
"Please get in."
I climbed into the pickup truck. She immediately launched into small talk. It wasn't bad. Her voice was pleasant to listen to.
"The Swiss ski resorts are really nice these days."
"Once you try it, you might not want to go home, you know?"
I nodded along and took in the scenery. The Alps, they called them. A white snow country. This was why everyone kept saying Switzerland, Switzerland. After about twenty minutes, we arrived at a small mountain-lodge-style building with a sign in Korean that read "Interlaken Korea Ski."
"Let's go inside."
"That's our boss."
"Hello?"
"Yes, hello."
"What size shoes do you wear?"
"280."
She went inside and brought out ski equipment one piece at a time—top and bottom layers, boots, goggles, poles, and so on.
"The boots will feel a bit heavy and uncomfortable. That's normal, so once you get used to them it'll be fine."
They felt like waterlogged work boots. My calves already hurt.
"Yes, if it's supposed to feel like this, then I guess they're on properly."
"Take them off. Let's head up to the slope. Equipment rental is charged separately, by the way."
Hold on. She never mentioned that earlier. Had I just gotten scammed?