The Prosecutor General Is Exhausted (2)
"Excuse me?" The Chief of the Daegu High Prosecutors' Office had absolutely no idea why the Prosecutor General was making such a face. Because of this, the Prosecutor General sighed and explained what he had realized in the Minister of Justice's office.
"You're suggesting we announce that this new law is wrong, right?"
"Yes, that is correct."
"And by 'announce,' you mean informing the public?"
"Exactly."
The Chief of the Daegu High Prosecutors' Office felt relieved that the Prosecutor General hadn't misunderstood him. However, it was, of course, the Chief of the Daegu High Prosecutors' Office who was the one misunderstanding.
"You want to announce that the Aggravation Principle is the right path in this current climate? Are you trying to get yourself killed in a freak accident on the street? Do you not know why this law revision is even happening? It's being revised to severely punish that bastard Himura and the people who took his money."
"Pardon? Ah...!"
Only then did the Chief of the Daegu High Prosecutors' Office realize the Prosecutor General's true intention. Furthermore, the other prosecutors present also grasped the danger that such an announcement would bring.
"Think about it logically. Right now, YK Group is on the government's side. And YK is manipulating public opinion through MEV. If we announce that the Aggravation Principle is correct in this situation, what do you think will happen?"
Naturally, newspapers, including those owned by MEV, would be filled with content denouncing the prosecution, and it was obvious that TV media would be no different. In the current atmosphere where anger toward Japan was reaching the heavens, saying such a thing would be no different from dousing oneself in oil and jumping into a fire.
"But we can't just sit here and do nothing, can we?"
The Chief of the Daegu High Prosecutors' Office spoke up. In truth, under normal circumstances, he would never have dared to keep demanding things from the Prosecutor General like this. After all, the very fact that the Prosecutor General had reached his position meant he had displayed the greatest political acumen, suppressing all his peers. In other words, the Chief of the Daegu High Prosecutors' Office was usually a fervent follower of the Prosecutor General.
But this was an entirely different situation. With the fruits of the future on the verge of disappearing, not only the Chief of the Daegu High Prosecutors' Office but even the other prosecutors were demanding a solution from the Prosecutor General.
'Ah, this is driving me crazy. Damn it.'
The Prosecutor General wasn't unaware of why his subordinates were acting this way. But why, of all times, did this have to happen on his watch? He had been dreaming of finishing his term, retiring from the prosecution, and opening a law firm to enjoy the immense power of Former Official Courtesy. Even now, it was an era where only 300 people were selected through the bar exam. Before JD, only 50 legal professionals were selected, and JD had increased it to 300. While the supply had increased, that number was still insufficient to satisfy the legal service needs of 42 million citizens. Therefore, the power of a lawyer with the status of a former Prosecutor General was immense. This was a fundamental principle that remained true even when YS increased the number of legal professionals to 1,000. And yet, right now, on his watch, a situation terrible for the prosecution had erupted.
'What if I can't resolve this properly?'
For the Prosecutor General, the thought alone was terrifying. Even if he opened a law firm after his term ended, there was a high probability he wouldn't receive proper treatment.
'I'm going insane.'
In this situation where he couldn't move forward or backward, the Deputy Prosecutor General of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office spoke quietly.
"General, isn't there only one thing we can do in this situation?"
The words came from the Deputy Prosecutor General, who effectively held the most power after the Prosecutor General, excluding the Minister and Vice Minister of Justice. The Prosecutor General thought as soon as he heard those words, 'I know, you son of a bitch! I know exactly what you're going to say!'
That was a silent scream. However, the words that followed from the Deputy Prosecutor General had sound.
"Since the government and the National Assembly are one body anyway, it's better to attack the National Assembly than the government. Let's properly 'educate' the assemblymen with the data we've collected so far."
In the end, the Prosecutor General could not stop his subordinates. And he thought to himself, 'You idiots, there's one more thing you haven't thought of...'
It’s quite funny, but for a member of the National Assembly, image is incredibly important. Since it is a position fundamentally elected through voting, an individual's image is bound to be crucial. Of course, in districts that would vote for party #1 or #2 no matter what, an individual's image wasn't particularly necessary. No matter what remarks they spewed toward the public, or what crimes they committed, people would vote for #1 or #2 anyway. However, generally speaking, since personal popularity is important, assemblymen do... try to manage their image in their daily lives.
Naturally, image is only the appearance shown to the outside world. Then, what is the reality? While one cannot assert that every assemblyman commits corruption, there is also no one who can assert that an assemblyman does not commit corruption.
Therefore, the prosecutors, including the Deputy Prosecutor General, gathered the corruption records of the assemblymen they had been meticulously organizing.
"I think this is enough."
The Chief of the Daegu High Prosecutors' Office spoke. If they had been holding meetings standing in an auditorium just a while ago, now only those with the rank of High Prosecutor or higher were gathered in a conference room to talk.
"Yes, you've all gathered the information very well."
The Deputy Prosecutor General, sitting to the right of the Prosecutor General at the head of the table, nodded with a satisfied expression.
"In the first place, we can grasp all the crimes in South Korea if we just set our minds to it, can't we? We couldn't possibly not know when those assemblymen are greasing the 'club' between their legs."
As the Chief of the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office cackled, the others laughed and nodded as well. It was true. While there were organizations that the prosecution's influence didn't fully reach, basically all long-surviving organizations were those that had received the tacit permission of the prosecution and police. To receive such permission, three absolute conditions were required. First, when causing trouble, they must not touch ordinary citizens and resolve things only among themselves. Second, when an incident occurs, they must inform the prosecution and police without delay upon receiving information. Finally, when the prosecution or police do something shady, they must do it on their behalf.
If these three are kept, one can survive for a long time as a 'puppet organization.' Of course, since this is a rule made by people, and organizations and the prosecution/police are operated by people, there were many times when it wasn't kept. There were frequent cases where the prosecution and police covered for organizations even when they touched ordinary citizens. And once the prosecution and police helped an organization like this, the organization also had to provide a return favor to the prosecution and police. Just like right now.
"Where in the world is there a perfect secret? You idiots. If they had solved it alone in their rooms, that would be one thing, but the fact that they were supplied by someone means there's someone who knows everything."
At the continued words of the Chief of the Daegu High Prosecutors' Office, everyone burst into laughter once again. And a moment later, the Deputy Prosecutor General looked at the Prosecutor General.
"General, please give us the official order."
"Hmm? Oh... ah, I should. Sigh, I'm still confused about how to proceed with things these days, so I'm not in a good state. So, please understand."
The Prosecutor General spoke, offering an awkward smile to everyone. It was a look that hadn't been seen even just a few days ago. The strict, solemn, and serious Prosecutor General had vanished. Because of this, the Deputy Prosecutor General was thrilled.
"General, don't worry. I will resolve this well so that there won't be any problems even if you just sit still."
There are two types of leaders. The leader who dumps everything on the second-in-command and just reigns, and the leader who crushes the second-in-command and enjoys all the real power. Since the Prosecutor General was the latter, the Deputy Prosecutor General wanted to stand out this time. In a situation like this where a major incident had occurred in the prosecution, if the Prosecutor General showed such a lukewarm response and he resolved things well, he could become the leader someday. Furthermore, because the Deputy Prosecutor General had many complaints about the Prosecutor General, he had no intention of providing proper 'Former Official Courtesy' to the Prosecutor General once he opened his law firm.
It was truly a situation where everyone was wearing masks. It goes without saying that the other High Prosecutors and above had also noticed this undercurrent to some extent. They weren't idiots, after all.
The Prosecutor General, who was gauging the failure of this matter and maintaining a lukewarm response. The Deputy Prosecutor General and the prosecutors under him, who were burning with fire because they couldn't tolerate failure. A precarious journey had begun in earnest.
"Aigoo, hello, Assemblyman."
Jeon Seong-gyu, Chief of the Daejeon High Prosecutors' Office, visited the office of ruling party assemblyman Kim Ki-sang with a smooth expression. At that, Kim Ki-sang's expression stiffened slightly. It couldn't be helped. Jeon Seong-gyu was the one holding the lifeline of Kim Ki-sang tightly in his grip. Because he was a prosecutor? That's half right, but half wrong. No matter how strong a prosecutor's power is, in normal times, an assemblyman is overwhelmingly more powerful. Therefore, even a High Prosecutor could never look down on an assemblyman. However, the relationship between Chief Jeon Seong-gyu and Assemblyman Kim Ki-sang was not an ordinary one.
"W-what brings you here?"
The trembling voice flowing from Assemblyman Kim Ki-sang's vocal cords proved that he was clearly trembling with anxiety.
"Aigoo, did I come to a place I shouldn't have? I came to get a cup of coffee and have a little chat."
Kim Ki-sang had already intuited why Jeon Seong-gyu had come. So, he sent everyone in the office out.
"You guys, it's a bit early, but go out and have lunch."
The office staff, having received the assemblyman's order, rose from their seats and quietly went outside. After confirming that everyone had left, Assemblyman Kim Ki-sang brewed coffee himself and served it to Jeon Seong-gyu.
"Wow, to think a mere prosecutor would get to have coffee served by a member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea. I'm really being treated well."
Jeon Seong-gyu continued to use a half-sarcastic tone toward Kim Ki-sang. This was all Jeon Seong-gyu's strategy. He knew well that to use Kim Ki-sang, he had to be perceived as a 'very annoying guy' rather than being kind.
"Cough...! I know well that you didn't come to talk about daily life with me. Please get to the point."
Hearing Kim Ki-sang's words, Jeon Seong-gyu took a sip of coffee, nodded with a 'kuh' sound.
"The coffee is sweet and very good. Well, fine. Let's get straight to the point. Our 'prosecution' does not want the bill related to this criminal law revision to pass. Can't we punish Himura or the professors enough with the Aggravation Principle? What's important to us is not shaking the foundation of the judiciary."
Kim Ki-sang sighed at Jeon Seong-gyu, who was smiling brightly.
"What power do I have to stop that..."
"No, if a ruling party assemblyman has no power, who in the world has power? You're good at joking, too."
Jeon Seong-gyu even chuckled after feigning a surprised expression. Even at that, Kim Ki-sang could not get angry.
"What difference is there between a ruling party assemblyman and an opposition party assemblyman these days? In fact, except for JP's party, they are all one body."
"Well, that may be so, but being treated as a direct descendant of His Excellency makes a big difference. And I said I hope the bill doesn't pass; I didn't ask you to block it. You just have to cast a dissenting vote on that bill, Assemblyman."
"No, how can I... the moment I do that, I will be expelled from the party 100 percent."
"Hoho... do you want to face the past?"
At Jeon Seong-gyu's threat, Kim Ki-sang knelt before him with a trembling voice.
"Please, spare me, Chief. If I openly contradict His Excellency now, my political life will end in one way or another. Please... please, don't say that."
At the sight of Assemblyman Kim Ki-sang bowing his head low, Jeon Seong-gyu smiled broadly. Of course, Kim Ki-sang, who was bowing his head, could not see it.
'Good, just as I thought.'
Jeon Seong-gyu immediately continued.
"Well, if that's absolutely impossible, would it be possible for you to at least be absent from the National Assembly when the bill is being revised? If you say even that is impossible..."
Jeon Seong-gyu lifted Kim Ki-sang's chin with his right hand, making those eyes look at him. Then, with his left hand, he mimicked slitting his own throat, letting him know what would happen if he refused even this proposal.
"Ah... I understand. Th-that... I think that's somehow possible..."
"Good. It seems our relationship will continue to be maintained."
Jeon Seong-gyu smiled broadly. The prosecution had gripped the lifelines of 160 assemblymen.