Chapter 419: What Do You Mean?

As soon as Park Young-geun took office as the Chairman of the Fair Trade Commission, he immediately set the Investigation Bureau in motion to thoroughly scrutinize the Il-seong Group.

The Investigation Bureau, led by the Secretary General, was an agency with the authority to investigate chaebols ranked within the top thirty in the business world.

Because of this, it was a department that the business world constantly demanded be abolished.

The first target of the Investigation Bureau was Il-sung Semiconductors, a newly established corporation that had split off from Il-sung Electronics.

“When Il-sung Semiconductors was physically divided, they didn’t properly obtain shareholder consent. While they went through the motions of a shareholders’ meeting, shareholder participation was restricted. They set up several buildings with similar names to confuse shareholders about the actual meeting location. This is a clear violation of shareholder rights.”

Though not illegal, evidence of various legal loopholes being exploited was discovered. The Fair Trade Commission requested data from the Ministry of Industry and the Financial Services Commission.

As a result, a massive amount of data was transferred to the Fair Trade Commission. From that moment on, the Fair Trade Commission’s office in Banpo-dong became a beacon, with lights that showed no signs of dimming.

“Wow, these bastards are something else. We’ve also found evidence of illegal support from Il-sung Life Insurance to Il-sung Semiconductors.”

While they say there’s no company without some dirt, the more they dug, the more violations of the law were uncovered.

“We’ve also identified instances of affiliates propping each other up. And it’s not just a couple of affiliates doing this—it seems the entire group is intricately connected, supporting each other like a spider’s web.”

This was an aspect that couldn’t be hidden no matter how hard they tried.

The Fair Trade Commission’s Investigation Bureau had become familiar with the illegal practices of chaebols after years of investigations.

Korea’s large corporations operated in both light and shadow, and as a result, they were covered in a lot of dirt.

Once the Fair Trade Commission decided to investigate thoroughly, it was inevitable that at least some dust would be kicked up.

On top of that, the Financial Supervisory Commission and the Financial Supervisory Service were also closely monitoring the Fair Trade Commission’s movements and had begun their own audits of the financial affiliates within the Il-seong Group.

Even the National Tax Service was investigating Il-seong Group for tax evasion.

It was literally a situation where all agencies were targeting the Il-seong Group for precision strikes.

“I’m sorry, Director. Chairman Park Young-geun is determined to investigate thoroughly, and there’s nothing I can do about it.”

“No, Director Ahn. How well has the Chairman treated you? How can you do this to us? There’s a limit to ingratitude.”

“I’m sorry. If I make a mistake, I might get caught up in this too. This will likely be our last contact, Director.”

As Director Ahn continued speaking, Lee Seok-min’s expression hardened. Lee Seok-min briefly studied Seo Jae-hoon’s face, who was listening alongside him, before asking a question.

“…What’s the atmosphere like?”

“Chairman Park Young-geun has obtained an X-file detailing the movement of Il-seong Group’s secret funds from somewhere. He’s using that as a reference to start digging… It seems it will be difficult to avoid this time.”

“What? An X-file? Have you seen it too?”

“The only people who have seen it are the Chairman and the Secretary General who manages the Investigation Bureau.”

Lee Seok-min let out a sigh.

The Secretary General that Park Young-geun brought with him when he took office was his confidant. He was someone he had been working with since his time at the Financial Supervisory Service.

If only these two people, who couldn’t be persuaded, knew about it, it would be difficult for the Il-seong Group to discuss countermeasures.

They needed to know at least a little about what was written in that document to be able to discuss countermeasures.

“Is it over if we just say we don’t know anything? Director Ahn, are you saying we should all die together?”

“Director. If I knew, would I pretend not to? If Il-seong Group collapses, I’ll go down with it. Do you think I’d pretend not to know?”

At that moment, Seo Jae-hoon, who had been listening silently, spoke up.

“Director Ahn, this is Seo Jae-hoon.”

…

There was no response. Seo Jae-hoon called out to him once more.

“Director Ahn.”

“Yes, Vice Chairman.”

“That X-file, is it a real document?”

Director Ahn answered without hesitation, firmly.

“It exists. Without it, it would be impossible to accurately pinpoint problematic areas and focus on investigating them as soon as they entered the Fair Trade Commission.”

“Is that so? Then it seems you’ll need to get it for us.”

“What? But as I just said…”

Cutting off Director Ahn’s hesitant words, Seo Jae-hoon made a proposal.

“If you bring that document, I’ll give you 10 billion won. If you find out who handed it over to Park Young-geun, I’ll give you 20 billion won.”

The sound of Director Ahn swallowing hard could be heard through the receiver. It was that shocking of a proposal.

“If you’ve eaten, you should work as much as you’ve eaten. How many years has my father been supporting you? How much support has our Il-seong Group provided for you to reach your current position? Now it’s time to repay that kindness. Aren’t you worse than an animal if you don’t know gratitude? Isn’t that right, Director Ahn? Or should you spit out everything you’ve received?”

It wasn’t a request, but an order. Seo Jae-hoon’s demand was incredibly rude.

“…I’ll try my best, Vice Chairman.”

“Try? Who cares about effort? Results are what matter. Find out by any means necessary. This isn’t a request.”

“But…”

“Make sure you find out. I’ll be waiting for your call.”

Without waiting for a response, Seo Jae-hoon hung up the phone.

Then he called out to Lee Seok-min in a flat voice.

“Director Lee Seok-min.”

“Yes, Vice Chairman.”

“If this is true, it means there’s a traitor inside. And close to me at that. I wonder who it could be? What kind of gutsy bastard would do such a thing? Can you find out? I think the Lee Seok-min I know should be able to. Or is our director the traitor?”

Seo Jae-hoon scrutinized Lee Seok-min with cold eyes. It was like a snake eyeing a mouse.

“No! How could I betray the Chairman after all the kindness he’s shown me?”

Lee Seok-min startled at Seo Jae-hoon’s words and denied it. But Seo Jae-hoon showed no reaction.

“I’ll make sure to find out.”

“Alright. Then I’ll trust you. And use our journalists to release negative articles about this incident.”

“We don’t have many friendly newspapers left now.”

Il-seong Group’s control over the media was not what it used to be.

Even if they tried to threaten with advertising, the Jungwoo Group and Taesan Financial were filling those empty spaces.

“It doesn’t matter. Mobilize whatever media is left to create public opinion.”

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

“Go and work now. You should work as much as you’re paid.”

Lee Seok-min stood up, bowed deeply, and left.

Seo Jae-hoon stared at the door Lee Seok-min had exited through for a long time and muttered.

“Not Il-seong Group, but the Chairman…”

A cold light flickered in Seo Jae-hoon’s eyes.

* * *

The pressure on Il-seong Group was slowly intensifying.

Stock communities and internet cafes were ablaze with discussions about this situation day after day.

As soon as news spread that the Fair Trade Commission and the Financial Supervisory Service were investigating Il-seong Group, the stock prices of all Il-seong Group affiliates began to fall.

Shareholders holding Il-sung affiliate stocks started to rebel, and Il-seong Group tried to create negative public opinion about this incident using friendly media outlets.

However, the public’s anti-chaebol sentiment was solid. Most people who thought that chaebols were responsible for the foreign exchange crisis welcomed and supported the Fair Trade Commission’s investigation.

While I was checking the internet public opinion on the computer, there was a knock on the study door.

“I have something to report, Boss.”

“Come in.”

As I gave permission, Manager Ma opened the door and entered.

I asked the bowing Manager Ma.

“What’s the matter? I don’t have any other schedules today, do I?”

“Cheon Su-han has died.”

“What? Cheon Su-han is dead?”

I couldn’t help but ask again. Suddenly Cheon Su-han is dead?

“Isn’t he in a mental hospital? I’ve never heard that he was sick.”

I had continued to inflict not physical but mental damage on him while he was imprisoned.

Eventually, he went mad and was transferred to a mental hospital.

I didn’t kill him because of Cheon Ji-young.

That was the last line I maintained as a human being.

Still, I didn’t neglect to keep an eye on Cheon Su-han.

I didn’t want to give him an easy death, not knowing when he might regain his senses.

“What do you mean he suddenly died?”

“It was suicide.”

“…”

“They say he hanged himself when surveillance was momentarily lax. When he was discovered, he was already not breathing.”

Can a mad person take their own life? I had doubts, but there was something more important remaining.

“What about Ji-young?”

I felt nothing about Cheon Su-han’s death.

I was only worried about Cheon Ji-young who would be left behind.

“She must have heard the news by now.”

Well, it’s not something that could be hidden forever, so it might be better to hear it early.

I sighed and closed my eyes. How should I deal with this?

After organizing my thoughts for a while, I opened my eyes.

“Please help Ji-young prepare for the funeral without any issues. She’ll probably be in a daze.”

“Yes, Boss.”

“And… Check on the recent situations of Cheon Ji-won and Cheon Ji-su and report back.”

After finishing my words, I rubbed my face repeatedly.

For some reason, I felt empty. Why do I feel so hollow when the one who should die has died?

I got up from my seat and walked towards the window. Opening the window and breathing in the cool air, I muttered.

“Right. Let’s break free from the past now.”