Chapter 106
"Hello."
"Yes, Attorney Cha Juhan. You've become the center of attention as the whistleblower in this case. First, let's confirm the facts. Did you really tip off the prosecution?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"Could you tell us exactly what you reported?"
"Just as it sounds. I provided the prosecution with evidence that the person who filmed that video is Jo Hyun-seok, the suspect in the sexual bribery case, and Ko Jin-ah, wife of Jeong Yeong-jun and former executive director of Yangjin F&B."
> [Maintain the lawyer's tone as is. Good.]
A message like that appeared on the prompter. He might look like just a thirty-five-year-old lawyer on the surface, but in his previous life, he'd handled national briefings multiple times. He knew exactly what voice and pace worked best.
"I understand no evidence has been publicly disclosed yet. What kind of evidence is it, and how did you obtain it?"
"The evidence is in the form of a video. I am currently Jeong Yeong-jun's legal representative, handling his divorce from Ko Jin-ah. Mr. Jeong has consistently claimed that the intercourse in the video was not by his will and that he has no memory of it. As you know, he has denied the adultery and expressed a desire to protect his family. To prove his innocence, I began investigating who filmed the video and for what purpose."
On the news broadcast screen, bold subtitles scrolled at the bottom, summarizing his statements.
"So, what evidence did you uncover?"
"Our first step was to restore the video's quality. After reviewing the circulated version multiple times, we spotted a brief glimpse of the filmer's body. We thought if we could identify features from that body part, we could pinpoint the person."
"Even with restoration, it wouldn't be as clear as what we're seeing on TV now. Were you able to capture distinguishing features?"
"Of course, we couldn't restore it to that level. The facts we gleaned from the video were limited. The device used to film it, the filmer's height and build from the silhouette in the balcony window, and a fleeting glimpse of their hand—that's all."
Anchor Kim Woo-jin nodded and asked again.
"Height, build, and hand. Those don't seem specific enough to identify someone."
"Correct. Comparing to the size of the filming device, the filmer's height was over 190 cm. We also determined it was a large-built man. He was wearing dark blue training clothes and had on a custom-designed couple's ring."
"A large man over 190 cm certainly matches Jo Hyun-seok, the former basketball player. And a custom design would allow identification."
"Yes. Based on those traits, we identified the filmer as Jo Hyun-seok."
"I see. But according to the prosecution's announcement, the video wasn't filmed by Jo Hyun-seok alone—Ko Jin-ah, Jeong Yeong-jun's wife, was involved. How did you identify her?"
"After analyzing the video repeatedly, we confirmed another person at the scene wearing the same ring."
"And that woman was Ko Jin-ah?"
"Yes."
"Attorney Cha, you described the ring Jo Hyun-seok was wearing as a couple's ring."
"Yes."
"And the woman wearing the matching ring is Ko Jin-ah, executive director of Yangjin F&B."
"Correct."
"Does that mean the two were in an affair?"
At Kim Woo-jin's question, the already quiet newsroom plunged into deep silence. That answer wasn't for the prosecution to give right now—or even for him to state definitively on air. Though he was certain, of course.
"That's how I see it."
That was the best way to put it. At the same time, a cue popped up on the prompter.
> [Viewership breaks 30%!!]
In 2018, News9 hovered in the low teens for ratings. But in 2009, averages were higher, occasionally hitting the twenties. Even so, 30% was impressive.
> [Switch topic to Jeong Yeong-jun's stance on divorce]
He could have gone into more detail, but that was for the prosecution—like the black box from Secretary Mun Jin-ji's car or other matters. Better to leave it to them.
"I see. Thank you for the detailed explanation. Without your persistent pursuit, this shocking truth might have stayed buried forever. Now, let's shift topics slightly."
Kim Woo-jin wrapped up neatly and moved on.
"You mentioned you're Jeong Yeong-jun's legal representative for his divorce. Before these facts came out, he must have suffered greatly. He's stated he wants to protect his family—how does he feel now?"
Memories of Jeong Yeong-jun's ordeals flashed through his mind. Even after learning the truth, the man had hesitated in shock, unable to immediately demand divorce.
"After learning this, Mr. Jeong was deeply shocked. As his lawyer, I'd seen how much affection he had for Ko Jin-ah, so it pained me too. He's endured false accusations of adultery during marriage and public backlash. That slander naturally extended to his family."
"Indeed. And unlike Ko Jin-ah, he's not from business circles, so there was a lot of criticism about assets too."
"Yes. In fact, Ko Jin-ah's side has strongly pushed for a mutual divorce. Claiming victimhood, she demanded an exorbitantly high asset split—legally incomprehensible—but Mr. Jeong refused. If assets were his priority, he wouldn't have."
In chaebol divorces, the public fixated on asset splits above all. Their personal stories intrigued, but money generated the buzz. The anchors didn't let it slide.
"You said the amount was legally incomprehensible—sounds astronomical."
"It's hard to call it astronomical, but... Most of Ko Jin-ah's assets are special property inherited or gifted from her father, Chairman Ko Sang-kyung. Marriages over ten years might split contributions to it, but theirs is under ten, so no."
"So, their proposed split exceeded the calculated joint assets, excluding her special property."
"Yes. That raised suspicions. Why offer so much if she claimed victimhood?"
He personally disliked delving into asset figures on prime-time news. They often mentioned rough numbers for chaebols but never specifics, so he kept it vague.
"What will Mr. Jeong's stance be going forward?"
"As mentioned, Ko Jin-ah's side demanded mutual divorce. But on the 15th—the day before the prosecution cleared him—they notified us they'd filed for divorce in family court."
The PDs and writers encircling the newsroom brightened. Fresh facts kept coming; they looked thrilled. The anchors seemed surprised too, as the pre-shared questions hadn't covered everything.
"With Ko Jin-ah now a suspect summoned by prosecution, it's uncertain. They might withdraw or proceed. Either way, since learning she slandered him, Mr. Jeong has decided on divorce. We'll adapt accordingly."
The interview time was nearly up. The PDs seemed fine extending, but he had no desire to overstay for self-promotion. Airtime boosted fame, sure, but no need to flaunt it.
"While prosecutor two years ago, you caught serial killer Jo Jintae, shocking the nation."
Jin Hye-kyung shoehorned in his resume to fill time. He could've ended gracefully, but her intent was clear.
"Yes."
"And early last year, you defended Kim Yeonjun—falsely accused of murdering actor Kim Cheol-hwan and doctor Ye Hui-sook—proving his brother Kim Hyeongjun the real killer. In court, you criticized the prosecution's investigation. Coming right after leaving them, it stirred controversy."
He smiled awkwardly.
"Yes, that's right."
"Critiquing them so soon painted you as distrusting prosecutors. Yet here you are, tipping them off."
"I know that impression exists, but it's not true. I do trust the prosecution."
He didn't. In this case, he'd trusted only Lee Ye-jin.
...But he couldn't say that.
"Still, in Kim Yeonjun's case—wrongly accused of parricide—the prosecution's investigation was indeed lacking. An innocent man suffered greatly. As his lawyer, I spoke considering his pain—not from distrust. So the criticism felt unfair."
Time to wrap; better lighten the mood from constant seriousness.
Jin Hye-kyung and Kim Woo-jin chuckled softly at his response.
"You're also known for calling out plagiarism in writer Jeong Hyejin's drama The Distance Between You and Me, exposing industry ills where established authors steal from aspiring ones. And last year, you took on the Jangmyeong High School bullying case for victims of Lee Hyeokmin. Leading on deep-rooted social issues—Attorney Cha Juhan is a role model for the legal world."
"You're too kind. Just doing my job."
"We look forward to your future. With that, we'll end here, wishing you success on remaining cases. Thank you for the interview."
After goodbyes, the camera zoomed to the anchors. He exited per the assistant director's cues.
Leaving the glaring lights of the newsroom, sweat finally beaded on his back.
The assistant director handed him a water bottle.
"Attorney, you were amazing. Great job."
Mindful of expressions and tone nonstop, fatigue hit hard.
"You too, PD. Thanks for your hard work."