Chapter 735: Don’t Open Your Mouth Without My Permission

Woo Young-shik was having dinner with prosecutors at a high-end restaurant in Seocho-dong.

“Senior, how about a drink?”

Kim Seok-jae, the third deputy chief prosecutor of the Central District Prosecutors’ Office, said as he poured liquor into Woo Young-shik’s glass.

Woo Young-shik nodded with pleasure and lifted his glass.

“Everyone, let’s raise our glasses.”

At Woo Young-shik’s words, the eight prosecutors gathered there all raised their glasses in unison.

They all followed Woo Young-shik, making them no different from a private faction within the Prosecutors’ Office.

“For the Prosecutors’ Office!”

The prosecutors shouted in response to Woo Young-shik’s lead.

“For the glory!”

Woo Young-shik smiled leisurely and brought his glass to his lips, while the prosecutors turned their heads and emptied their glasses.

“Senior, how is this year’s regular personnel reshuffle going?”

“Hmm…”

Woo Young-shik, having set down his glass, evaded the question with a hum.

However, Kim Seok-jae said with a faint smile.

“Come on, Senior. You have to lead us, don’t you? We need to know how things will roughly unfold so we can prepare.”

“Seok-jae, are you aiming for a chief prosecutor position in this reshuffle?”

“Yes. Isn’t it about time I got a chief prosecutor title?”

Woo Young-shik chuckled at Kim Seok-jae’s jest.

“It’s about time.”

“Although the President has removed the chief prosecutor rank, we still need to differentiate for personnel convenience. And even though there’s no legal basis, the authority remains the same. I really want to get the chief prosecutor title in this personnel move.”

Yoon Chang-ho had tampered with the Prosecutors’ Office Act under the pretext of increasing the independence of prosecutors.

This was a revision of Article 6 of the Prosecutors’ Office Act, which divided prosecutors’ ranks into Prosecutor General, High Prosecutor, Chief Prosecutor, and Prosecutor.

As a result, it stipulated that the ranks of High Prosecutor and Chief Prosecutor were removed, and they were divided into Prosecutor General and Prosecutor.

However, in terms of personnel operations, the ranks of High Prosecutor and Chief Prosecutor still existed despite having no legal basis.

“You’re a strong candidate. But that doesn’t mean it’s a done deal.”

Kim Seok-jae’s face brightened at Woo Young-shik’s words.

“Is that so?”

Woo Young-shik nodded. Then, he looked around at the prosecutors seated at their respective places and said.

“All of you here will have personnel transfers.”

The faces of all the prosecutors gathered there brightened.

“First, Seok-jae, you are on the list for the head of the Central District Prosecutors’ Office.”

“Is that really true?”

“Ha, this guy. He’s acting like he doesn’t know. You already knew when you asked, didn’t you?”

“Haha. No. I really didn’t know until you said it, Senior.”

Woo Young-shik’s gaze turned cold in an instant.

“Seok-jae. Don’t you know that I hate lying more than anything else?”

“I-I’m sorry. I’ve heard rumors so I already knew.”

Only when Kim Seok-jae quickly lowered his head did Woo Young-shik’s expression soften a little.

“The other candidates are either of a similar class or higher. You know that, right?”

“Yes. I know.”

“Even if I am pushing for you, it’s still up to the President and the Minister of Justice.”

“The Minister doesn’t like me very much, does he?”

At Kim Seok-jae’s anxious question, Woo Young-shik nodded slightly.

“That’s right. Choi Tae-min, that guy, doesn’t like you very much. But he doesn’t appoint the head of the Central District Prosecutors’ Office based on personal likes or dislikes. You know that right? The head of the Central District Prosecutors’ Office is a direct path to the Prosecutor General.”

“Yes. I know.”

“That’s why the President’s opinion is important. No matter how well Choi Tae-min does, he can’t abuse his personnel authority if the President refuses. And you know my relationship with the President. I’ll keep the Minister of Justice in check.”

Kim Seok-jae jumped up from his seat and bowed his head.

“Thank you.”

“You’re thanking me before you’re even appointed? Sit down.”

At Woo Young-shik’s gesture, Kim Seok-jae sat back down.

“I was thinking of removing Choi Tae-min in this cabinet reshuffle, but the President refused.”

“Ah. I heard those rumors.”

“What? The rumors inside the Blue House reached your ears, Seok-jae? How?”

Woo Young-shik looked at Kim Seok-jae with a puzzled expression. Kim Seok-jae quickly waved his hands and hurried to speak.

“Ah, that’s… I heard it during dinner with legal journalists. You know how good the journalists’ information networks are.”

“Hah. Well, that’s true. Anyway, as long as Choi Tae-min holds that position, it won’t be easy to take control of the Prosecutors’ Office.”

No matter how much influence the Senior Presidential Secretary for Civil Affairs had over the intelligence agencies, it was the Ministry of Justice that ultimately decided on the personnel and positions of the Prosecutors’ Office.

Currently, two forces were vying for power, maintaining their strength.

One side was the force led by Woo Young-shik, and the other side was the force led by Choi Tae-min and the current Prosecutor General.

In order to gain momentum, they intended to push Kim Seok-jae to become the head of the Central District Prosecutors’ Office in this regular personnel reshuffle.

‘But I can’t figure out what President Yoon Chang-ho is thinking.’

Woo Young-shik, who had been lost in thought for a moment, opened his mouth while looking at the prosecutors.

“And the rest of you juniors, I’ve made preparations so you can all go to good positions, so look forward to it. Seok-jae’s promotion to chief prosecutor is confirmed. The only question is whether he goes to the head of the Central District Prosecutors’ Office or not.”

“Thank you.”

All the prosecutors stood up from their seats and bowed their heads.

Woo Young-shik waved his hand dismissively.

“What thanks? It’s all thanks to you all working hard for the Prosecutors’ Office that I was able to recommend you for good positions. So, just keep doing what you’re doing.”

“Yes, we understand!”

“Everyone but Seok-jae, you can go.”

The prosecutors, who had answered loudly, stood up from their seats and bowed once more.

After the rest of the prosecutors had all left, Kim Seok-jae spoke in a comfortable voice.

“Hyung, is something bothering you?”

“Huh? No, what could be bothering me? The problem is that the President is too strong-willed. By the way, how are things with the Korean-Chinese problem?”

“That’s… You know it’s difficult even for me to handle Deputy Prosecutor Oh Hyeon-woo, right?”

“I know. But you have to send those Korean-Chinese people back to China, no matter what. It’s better for us too.”

Even though they were alone, Kim Seok-jae looked around nervously before speaking.

“But if you put pressure on Deputy Prosecutor Oh Hyeon-woo, things could get out of hand.”

“Then how about sending Deputy Prosecutor Oh Hyeon-woo to a different department in this personnel move? Promote him, I mean.”

“What? Are you already talking about promoting him to chief prosecutor?”

One had to work for 12 to 15 years in the Prosecutors’ Office to reach the position of chief prosecutor.

Originally, Oh Hyeon-woo had reached the position of deputy prosecutor abnormally quickly.

But to push for his promotion to chief prosecutor? This was a completely different matter.

Woo Young-shik chuckled at Kim Seok-jae, who was silently shocked.

“No. That doesn’t make sense. I’m thinking of sending him to the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office.”

“Will he accept?”

“What if he doesn’t? Is he going to run to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and cry about it like a child? The Deputy Prosecutor Oh Hyeon-woo I know doesn’t seem like that kind of person.”

“Of course, Deputy Prosecutor Oh Hyeon-woo doesn’t really appreciate the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court’s influence. But we can’t ignore the Chief Justice’s influence. If it weren’t for the Chief Justice, would he have been able to become a deputy prosecutor so quickly?”

A deputy prosecutor, who directs investigations in the field, was a position waiting before advancing to a management position such as chief prosecutor.

It was an unspoken rule, although no legal basis existed.

“Even the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court has no grounds to block the regular personnel reshuffle. He doesn’t move without justification.”

“But it’s not good to be on bad terms with the Chief Justice, is it?”

“Going to the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office is an honor. Is there any reason to refuse?”

Woo Young-shik said it without much thought, but Kim Seok-jae still seemed worried.

“But it has no real power. Most of the real power has moved to the Central District Prosecutors’ Office.”

“Still, the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office is the flower of the Prosecutor’s Office. The moment you deny that, the Prosecutor’s Office collapses. Don’t say such things anywhere else, Seok-jae.”

Kim Seok-jae flinched at the sharp reaction and lowered his voice.

“I’ll be careful.”

“I’ll meet with the Chief Justice separately and show my sincerity. Don’t worry about that. If Oh Hyeon-woo’s position changes, can you control it?”

“If I become the head of the Central District Prosecutors’ Office, it won’t be difficult. But it’s a case that the President is watching, so…”

“I know. I’ll persuade him somehow before this personnel reshuffle, so don’t worry about that.”

“Then I’ll prepare in advance.”

“Okay, Seok-jae. I’m counting on you.”

Woo Young-shik and Kim Seok-jae continued their conversation for about an hour.

Kim Seok-jae got up from his seat first and left the restaurant. About 10 minutes later, Woo Young-shik got up from his seat.

Woo Young-shik went down to the underground parking lot and got into his car.

“Let’s go to the officetel.”

At Woo Young-shik’s words, the car slowly moved.

As the car moved, he briefly fell asleep.

Then, Woo Young-shik briefly opened his eyes, looked out the window and shouted in a bewildered tone.

“What! Where are we? Where are you going? I said let’s go to the officetel.”

“Just follow along quietly, Senior Presidential Secretary Woo Young-shik.”

“What? Who are you?”

Only then did Woo Young-shik realize that the man holding the steering wheel was not his driver.

His voice was completely different.

“You’ll get hurt if you resist. Let’s just go quietly.”

“Who are you! Do you know who I am! If you want to meet me, follow proper procedures…”

“Senior Presidential Secretary. Do you not understand the words ‘quietly follow’? Or are you going to see this through to the end?”

The unknown man, having finished speaking in a cold voice, gripped the steering wheel tightly.

The car was already speeding down the road at over 100km per hour.

It was obvious that a major accident would occur with the slightest mistake.

Woo Young-shik calmed his excitement and quietly sank into thought.

“Hah… Who is it that wants to meet me?”

“You’ll find out when we get there.”

“……What about my safety?”

“If you cooperate well, you can go back without any problems.”

“I understand. Then I’ll go quietly.”

The driver slightly bowed his head. The cold atmosphere had calmed down, and only silence settled in the car.

Even while the scenery outside the window was rapidly changing, Woo Young-shik’s mind was working quickly.

‘The National Intelligence Service? The Blue House security service? Or who is it? For someone to be so bold…’

Even as all kinds of names raced through his mind, Woo Young-shik did not even think of Kim Mu-hyeok’s name.

“We’ve arrived. Please get out.”

“Where is this?”

Instead of answering, the driver got out of the car and opened the back door.

“Please get out. Or I’ll drag you out.”

“Hah. These guys have no fear.”

Woo Young-shik glared at him, but the man showed no reaction.

Woo Young-shik got out of the car and surveyed his surroundings.

Under the dark starlit night, there was only a solitary villa.

“There’s a place like this in Korea…”

“Please go inside.”

“You’ll pay for this disrespect later.”

The driver, no, the man disguised as a driver, simply shrugged at the threat and led Woo Young-shik inside.

Woo Young-shik couldn’t help but be surprised when he went inside.

Because people he met every day were already there.

“Senior Woo!”

“No, Security Senior Ban Jang-woo! Why are you here…”

“I don’t know. They just dragged me here. I heard Senior Kim was also dragged here. Though they brought me here politely.”

Woo Young-shik’s gaze landed on Kim Gap-soo. Kim Gap-soo, who had received his gaze, said.

“……I was also dragged here.”

Ban Jang-woo shouted furiously in excitement.

“How dare you kidnap three Blue House Senior Secretaries at the same time? You crazy bastard!”

Woo Young-shik, in agreement, also scowled and cursed.

But the commotion was short-lived. The man who kidnapped Woo Young-shik calmly stopped them.

“I know you are all curious, but please wait a little longer. They will arrive soon. Before that… There’s one thing you need to remember. I say this for the benefit of all the Senior Secretaries. Do not lie in front of him. If you only speak the truth, you will all be able to return safely.”

“What?”

Security Senior Ban Jang-woo narrowed his brows. However, the man spoke again in a low voice.

“This is all I can say right now. We don’t want to hurt the Senior Secretaries either. So, please don’t ignore my advice.”

* * *

I arrived at the villa in Gyeonggi Province.

“Ban Jang-woo met with the Chinese Ambassador… Kim Gap-soo had drinks with friends. And Woo Young-shik met with prosecutors, is that right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Hmm… Let’s go inside for now.”

Manager Ma and I entered the villa.

The three Senior Secretaries’ gazes were fixed on me.

But only one of the three recognized my face.

It was Ban Jang-woo, the Senior Secretary for Foreign Affairs and National Security. He seemed to recognize me because he had seen my face once in the Blue House.

“Y-you are…”

“Don’t open your mouth without my permission, Senior Secretary Ban Jang-woo.”

Ban Jang-woo’s face turned pale, and he shut his mouth.

“Hello, Senior Secretaries. The reason I invited you here is simple. I received information that at least one of you three is a Chinese spy.”

I spoke, carefully observing the reactions of the three men.

Ban Jang-woo was shocked, Woo Young-shik expressed doubt, and Kim Gap-soo’s eyes wavered.

“So I hope you will answer my questions well. If you lie, today will be your death anniversary.”