Crocodile's Tears
Deep in slumber at the break of dawn, the house of Kang Du-seong was filled with the shrill ringing of the phone. Without even opening his eyes, he groped for the receiver.
"Who... at this hour...?"
"President, I'm terribly sorry to call so early. This is Section Chief Park Sun-woo."
"What is it?"
"I... something unbelievable has happened."
"What? Get to the point."
"Secretary General Jeong Dong-gyun has just passed away."
It was unbelievable news. They'd shared a meal just a short while ago. It was only natural he couldn't believe someone like that was dead. Shocked, he bolted upright in bed and asked again.
"Say that again... What did you say?"
"Secretary General Jeong Dong-gyun has just left this world in a traffic accident."
"Where's the funeral hall?"
"Korea University Hospital."
"Head there now. You too, leave immediately."
"Understood."
He couldn't believe it until he saw it with his own eyes. He rushed to the car and sped toward the funeral hall. When the vehicle hit a red light, he slammed the steering wheel in frustration and shouted.
"Damn it! How... how could things go so wrong?"
It had been a meticulously planned scheme full of ambition, but an unforeseen event had occurred. His sole ally, Secretary Jeong, was gone. Now, Kang Du-seong stood alone. It was as if a sharp blade that had severed his own limbs was now aimed at his throat. Even proceeding sequentially wouldn't have been enough, and Jeong's death was nothing short of fatal.
His thoughts spiraled endlessly, but no answers emerged. In a daze, he arrived at Korea University Hospital. Reporters, already swarming like sharks who had smelled blood, spotted his car and rushed over, thrusting microphones in his face.
- When can we expect a clear investigation into this incident?
- I heard it's a hit-and-run. Is that true?
- There's a rumor the perpetrator is the father of a legal team staff member. Could you comment on that?
Kang Du-seong had no interest in the details of the case. Here only to confirm the death himself, he ignored them and hurried inside. As he descended to the basement, a waiting staffer bowed silently.
"You've arrived? This way, please."
Denying reality, he entered the funeral hall. There, beside white flowers, stood Secretary Jeong's portrait photo, beaming with a bright smile.
"You... Secretary Jeong..."
Kang Du-seong struggled to accept the scene before him. He stared blankly at the portrait. Grief welled up, but it wasn't for Jeong—it was lament for his own ruined plans. His grand dreams were slipping further away.
As crocodile tears of resentment trickled down, a secretary office staffer approached quietly.
"President, you've come?"
"Yeah... what happened?"
"He was hit by a drunk driver at a crosswalk."
"How fast do you have to be going on a national highway to kill someone?"
Even if he was just a pants-wearing secretary chief, the long-time colleague was overcome with sorrow. Clenching his fists, he barely suppressed his rage.
"It was a hit-and-run. They say he might have survived if he'd been rushed to the hospital immediately."
"The perpetrator's caught?"
"Yes. He's being interrogated at Gangnam Police Station right now."
Letting out a deep sigh, he continued the conversation.
"Who is it? Got his details?"
"Well... that's..."
"Why are you hemming and hawing? Spit it out."
"The perpetrator is Lawyer Choi Jong-hoon's father."
"What? Jong-hoon's... father? That make any sense?"
"I double-checked just now. It's confirmed."
Unbelievable, but he had to accept it. Closing his eyes tightly, Kang Du-seong let out a long sigh.
"Any word from Seongbuk-dong on the way down?"
"For now, we've been instructed to refuse all interviews and stay silent."
"Yeah... that's how it should be..."
Death was irreversible, but he still had time to revise his plans.
"By the way, who's likely to be his replacement?"
"I'm sorry, but it's not something to discuss here. No one's even on the shortlist yet."
In his haste, he'd revealed his inner thoughts. Embarrassed, he quickly changed the subject.
"There'll be a lot of mourners. Make sure everything's prepared thoroughly."
"Understood. This way, please. We've prepared a meal."
"No. I'll come back after work this afternoon. Keep up the good work."
"Understood. Take care."
Frowning deeply, cigarette in mouth, Kang Du-seong drove straight home. That's when Chairman Kang's car pulled into the hospital. Moon Sang-oh got out and opened the rear door. As Chairman Kang stepped down, reporters swarmed like hyenas spotting prey.
- Chairman Kang! A word on this incident, please!
- Rumors say a JK Group employee's father is the perpetrator. Is the rumor true?
The reporters bombarded him competitively, but Chairman Kang didn't utter a word. Even amid the relentless flashes, he didn't blink, merely raising his right hand slightly. The surrounding reporters instantly fell silent.
After a moment of quiet, Chairman Kang spoke with a grief-stricken expression.
"Secretary General Jeong Dong-gyun was a diligent worker, a model for all. My heart aches with sorrow."
Dabbing his eyes with a handkerchief, he continued with difficulty.
"This tragedy began with drunk driving. A family is shattered, and JK Group is plunged into deep grief."
Gazing somberly into the cameras, he pressed on.
"We will take this as a lesson and do our utmost at the group level to ensure drunk driving never takes root in this land again. That's all."
With that, Chairman Kang headed straight into the funeral hall.
***
The presence and influence of Chairman Kang Jin-gwang at Athena was beyond imagination. With his grief-stricken face, tears, and resolute tone, the message landed perfectly. The rumor about Lawyer Choi's father as the perpetrator vanished like smoke, and attention shifted to what JK Group would do next.
Kang Min-ho was discussing it with More Times President Jo Dong-uk.
"How's the current mood?"
"The morning news was just starting when Chairman gave the interview. The topic shift was a complete success."
"Any follow-up articles on the rumor?"
"None so far."
"Good. How's the preparation for drunk driving articles?"
He must have come in at dawn and looked exhausted, but he showed no sign of it. Handing over a massive stack of materials, he said,
"One of my relatives died from drunk driving. I was thinking of pulling this out someday—it's everything I've gathered."
"Impressive. How'd you compile all this?"
"I dug through the National Statistics Office, the police—everywhere. Drunk driving incidents over the past 15 years, injuries, deaths—all precise data right here."
"Until I say otherwise, release every statistic, incident, and accident related to this nonstop. Mention relevant legislation too, appropriately."
President Jo scratched his head and bit his lip, something clearly bothering him.
"Worried about something?"
"Pumping out these articles nonstop won't sit well with the liquor industry or Yeouido folks with drunk driving records."
"What of it? Worrywart. This is a chance to root it out for good."
"Understood. I say we round up all the drunks and beat the habit out of them till they drop."
But President Jo couldn't shake one nagging question no matter how he thought about it: Kang Min-ho's strategy for this incident. The press stepping up against drunk driving was natural, but JK Group jumping in seemed off. Sensing some ulterior motive, he ventured carefully.
"Um... Representative, I've got one curiosity."
Kang Min-ho nodded, and he jumped right in.
"Of course it's tragic. But with even the Chairman going public, it feels like there's more to it."
"Can't even drink cold water in front of you, President Jo. How'd you know?"
"Years eating ink in Chungmuro—I'd have to be blind not to spot it. Distracting attention, right? What's the follow-up play?"
"Can't tell you yet."
President Jo flashed a sly smile and wheedled.
"Just a little hint for me?"
"I'll give you one: Seoul City. Enough?"
Grinning broadly, he replied,
"Make noise in the east, strike in the west—classic seongdonggyeokseo?"
"Exactly. Distract them and snag the interests from behind."
"Whoa! Your strategies never cease to amaze, Representative. Zhuge Liang'd be jealous in his grave."
"Too much praise on an empty stomach this early."
He acted nonchalant, but President Jo couldn't help worrying about Lawyer Choi too. He broached it cautiously.
"And... when does Choi come back to work?"
"That worried?"
"He's like family—we see each other daily. No way I'm not worried. I can picture his insides burning black."
"He'll return once it's wrapped up. Don't fret."
"I'll buy him a drink when he does. Wonder how much weight he's lost... Anyway, I'll get up first."
As President Jo gathered his materials and rose, the conference room door opened. In stepped none other than Lawyer Choi. Both men stared as if seeing a ghost.
"Choi... Lawyer Choi..."
He hadn't slept a wink from the accident, and the immense stress left his face haggard, but his eyes still burned with life.
"I told you to rest a few days. Why are you here?"
"My heart's too heavy to lie down."
"You've got to find a house, care for your mother, visit the hospital—plenty to do. Go rest. That's not a request; it's an order."
Lawyer Choi had never been stubborn before, but today he was resolute.
"The Chairman forgave me, but my moral responsibility remains. Let me see it through."
Kang Min-ho well understood his desire to lighten the debt on his conscience. Nodding, he said,
"If that's what eases you, go ahead. But take a vacation after it's done."
"Understood."
To lighten the somber mood, President Jo spoke in an exaggerated tone.
"Now the room feels full with our Lawyer Choi back! Perfect timing. Let me lay it all out clearly."
"Thank you."
Kang Min-ho stood first.
"You two talk. I'll step out for a briefing."
"Understood. Go ahead."
Kang Beom-seong, who held the Seoul mayoral seat, was a puppet. Kang Min-ho pulled the strings, and the talentless Beom-seong had no choice but to obey. It was Min-ho, not Chairman Kang or Du-seong, who moved the so-called "little president" of Seoul City Hall.
Moving to another spot, Kang Min-ho picked up the receiver and called Beom-seong.
"Time to start the first plan. Get ready."