Chapter 197
A week or so had passed since the broadcast revealing that most members of the MFDS committee had direct or indirect ties to Myungwha Pharmaceuticals.
"Lawyer, phone call."
I was in the middle of lunch with the office crew when Kang Minjae's voice made me check my phone. An unknown number was calling. I set down my chopsticks and stepped out of the restaurant.
"Cha Juhan speaking."
"Uh, Prosecutor Cha. It's me."
"Excuse me, but who is this?"
"Haha, don't be like that. It's Park Younggi, Deputy Chief of the Western District Prosecutors' Office."
"Ah, Deputy Chief. It's been a while. I hope you've been well. Your number wasn't saved, so I didn't recognize it."
Park Younggi, Deputy Chief of the Western District Prosecutors' Office. We'd crossed paths when I visited over Jo Bongjun's defamation case. He'd mentioned grabbing tea sometime soon—was this about that? But with Jo Bongjun's case forwarded to the prosecution, it wouldn't look good for a lawyer to meet the deputy chief casually.
"I've been fine, of course. How about you, Prosecutor Cha? Keeping busy?"
"Same as always."
"Yeah? Anyway, I called with some good news for you."
"Good news?"
There weren't many kinds of good news Park Younggi might share with me. Maybe they'd decided not to indict Jo Bongjun, or...
"We're taking on the Myungwha Pharmaceuticals investigation. It got assigned to us."
This was the best news I could hear from him.
"I see."
"Good news, right? Why so nonchalant?"
"It is good news. Our client worked hard to bring this to light, and now it's paying off. Truly fortunate."
"To be precise, we'll handle Myungwha, and the MFDS might investigate too, but nothing's set there. Probably some special task force. Just rumors for now. No decisions on the MFDS side yet."
In cases like this, the MFDS usually handled it internally. As a government agency, ties ran deep. If they deemed internal probes unreliable, they'd likely form a special task force, as Park Younggi said. Prosecutors investigating would mean the Health Ministry's MFDS under Justice Ministry scrutiny.
"But they haven't announced permit cancellation yet. Is investigation possible?"
"Ah, they'll switch it to a permit hold."
"But they already announced no issues from their initial review. Even if they hold the permit and prosecutors investigate, doesn't the order seem off?"
"True, but public opinion's too bad, so they're announcing investigation first. What time is it?"
"Just before one."
"Announcement at one—check the news. Oh, and you free today, Prosecutor Cha?"
"Yes."
"Then come to the office. Need to talk details, and something urgent."
"Understood. What time should I arrive?"
"Whenever after your stuff. Three o'clock?"
"I'll be there by three."
"Good. See you later."
I texted the news to everyone who'd helped, then returned to the table. Oh Yanghun and Kang Minjae were glued to the TV, not noticing me.
I glanced at the clock—it was one. The TV news matched exactly what the deputy chief had tipped me off about.
"Lawyer!"
Kang Minjae turned, shouting brightly.
"This means it's done, right? Antrozol Alpha's blocked from release now?"
"Pretty much."
"Then our client's getting a not guilty verdict. Hell, they should get a medal for this meritorious service. Wow, what a relief. Total relief."
Kang Minjae jumped up, practically dancing. I was thrilled too, but not ready to relax. Things could quiet down, they'd claim no issues with Antrozol Alpha, tweak the name, and relaunch. We had to keep watch.
"Looks like the Western District Prosecutors' Office is handling it," Oh Yanghun said. I nodded.
"Just got a call from their Deputy Chief Park Younggi."
"Park? Calling you at this timing...?"
"Told me about the MFDS decision and prosecution probe start. Said come to the office—something urgent."
"Hmm..." Oh Yanghun frowned worriedly.
"Voice sounded upbeat, so probably not bad."
"Still, be careful. Might be them trying to probe you for info."
No matter. My goal was stopping Antrozol Alpha's distribution. And I wouldn't let them probe without payback.
"Prosecutor Cha, come on in."
He'd warmed tea water, waiting in his office.
"Long time no see."
"Yeah, sit."
He poured hot water into the cup before me on the sofa.
"Saw the news?"
"Yes, right after the call."
"Jo Bongjun's case will get a no-indictment."
"Thank you."
"No thanks needed. With things like this, it's obvious. You and Jo Bongjun made it happen. Saved yourselves."
He chuckled, dropping tea leaves in my cup.
"Drink when the aroma rises."
"Thanks."
"You must have questions, but quiet."
I smiled faintly.
"My curiosity follows up on our call. The MFDS can't investigate properly—they're involved. Yet they announced on-site inspections and hearings. Odd."
"Nothing proven against MFDS yet, so can't stop them."
He sipped slowly.
"Committee members tied to Myungwha—even those appointed by the Pharmaceutical Affairs Council head, recommended by the council. Might not suffice as grounds. I get that, but I'm against MFDS handling inspections and hearings."
"I understand. But situations are what they are. You know."
"..."
"Chief Prosecutor says: Probing this reveals Myungwha bribed committee members. Blood, regional, school ties or not—money changed hands."
"Yes."
"That spotlights MFDS issues. We announce, they become suspects before inspections or hearings. Then special task force takes over."
I nodded slowly. Made sense—sparing a national agency's face. From our side, we'd love to call out rot, but couldn't ignore power dynamics.
"So prosecutors must nail MFDS issues fast."
Now the main point. Why he summoned me here.
"Heard you did stellar work. Convinced Yoo Minhyuk yourself."
I stayed silent; he continued.
"Myungwha bugged you, right? Found that odd."
"Why?"
"If Jo Bongjun's key, bug him—not you."
I smiled faintly. Myungwha, Wooshin affiliate, knew I was central once I took Jo Bongjun's case. But publicly, Jo Bongjun and Choi Jonghyeon were fronts—to avoid backlash claims of personal vendetta. Now with momentum ours, even backlash wouldn't stop results.
Starting the firm, I aimed for good image—no enemies for spotlight figures is impossible. Time to rebrand as Wooshin specialist.
Let's hear more.
"Want your help on prosecution probe."
"Me?"
"Yeah. Don't know why, hurts pride a bit, but your investigative skills beat ours. Haha. You're the expert here."
Pride aside, he wanted speed—sideline MFDS before they led. Teaming with him meant no personal ambition. But in my past life, Park Younggi was ambition-free. Butterfly effects changed things. Success here meant his promotion. Ambition? Justice or self-advancement?
"I'd cooperate if conditions align. But one question."
"Shoot."
"...What do you think drove me to escalate this?"
He smiled faintly.
"Your sense of justice, what else."
Damn. I sighed inwardly at the hologram above Park Younggi's head. He suspected other motives. Thought me too idealistic.
"...Then, what does this investigation mean to you?"
"Pretty abstract."
"Just curious."
"Same for me. Implementing justice, what else."