After Choi Taeuk's press conference, the prosecution moved swiftly.
Deputy Chief Prosecutor Oh Hyunwoo of the Special Investigation Division changed Kim Hyukjin, the chief secretary of Choi Seohyeon's campaign, from a witness to a suspect and requested an arrest warrant.
“Mr. Kim Hyukjin is a key figure in the illegal political fund case. There is a risk of evidence destruction and flight, so detention is necessary.”
The warrant hearing was assigned to Judge Han Minkyung.
“Mr. Kim Hyukjin. What are your thoughts regarding the accusation that you accepted 30 billion won in illegal political funds?”
“......”
Kim Hyukjin neither admitted nor denied the charges.
Han Minkyung issued the arrest warrant.
Meanwhile, Choi Taeuk was being questioned by prosecutors.
“Make yourself comfortable. Have a cup of coffee.”
Oh Hyunwoo greeted him with a smile to ease his burden.
“Things don't always go the way we want, do they? Same for me. I practically walked on a bed of flowers since childhood. Some people might say I'm complaining with a full stomach, but I hated it. It wasn't a path I chose. That's why I chose to become a prosecutor with my own hands and ended up here.”
Oh Hyunwoo lightened the atmosphere by talking about himself.
The expression on Choi Taeuk's face, as he held the paper cup with trembling hands, became noticeably more relaxed.
“Looks like you've calmed down a bit. This place is funny, isn't it? Chaebol chairmen, former presidents, politicians... everyone gets nervous when they come here.”
“Haha...”
“Not you, President Choi, but some rude people even raise their voices. Still, after some time, their manners return from wherever they ran away to. Shall we begin?”
After speaking, Oh Hyunwoo raised his hand.
A green light blinked on the previously inactive camera.
“We're recording now. President Choi Taeuk, let's begin the investigation.”
Choi Taeuk underwent an intense interrogation that lasted more than ten hours.
Only at dawn did he finally leave the Prosecutors' Office.
Reporters immediately surrounded him and thrust microphones at him.
“President Choi Taeuk! Was everything you said at yesterday's press conference true?”
“Do you intend to release the original video to the media?”
“Why did you confess the truth despite putting yourself in danger?”
Questions poured out from all directions, but Choi Taeuk remained silent.
Just before getting into the prepared vehicle, he turned around and finally spoke.
“I will actively cooperate with the prosecution's investigation. I won't claim that I'm innocent. But those who deserve punishment far greater than mine must never be allowed to escape.”
Not wanting to miss a single word, reporters listened intently.
“Please keep your eyes on this case. The only people who can keep the prosecution in check are the citizens. If they refuse to investigate or conduct a reduced investigation simply because someone is a presidential candidate, I intend to release the original footage on the internet.”
After saying those words, Choi Taeuk got into the car.
His statement shook South Korea.
Public opinion polls showed over seventy percent support for investigating Choi Seohyeon, and voices demanding his resignation as a presidential candidate grew stronger.
Choi Seohyeon had effectively become surrounded by enemies on all sides.
Everyone listed as members of his campaign became unreachable, and some even held press conferences announcing their resignation from campaign positions.
“Damn it!”
Choi Seohyeon cursed and pulled at his hair.
Only the sound of his swearing echoed hollowly throughout the empty candidate's office.
“Why? Why the hell!”
He had never even imagined Choi Taeuk's betrayal.
Once this became public, Choi Taeuk would also be ruined, not just him.
On top of that, with Kim Hyukjin now under an arrest warrant, there were very few people left around Choi Seohyeon whom he could trust.
It hadn't even been a few months since he had become the presidential candidate with overwhelming support, but his approval ratings had sunk without bottom.
At that moment, the office door opened, and the party leader entered.
“Candidate Choi.”
Straightening his clothes, Choi Seohyeon greeted him.
“Chairman. You've come.”
“You look terrible. Have you at least been eating?”
“I don't have much of an appetite.”
The party leader nodded and sat down.
Since he showed no sign of speaking first, Choi Seohyeon asked,
“What brings you here?”
“Shouldn't you be making a decision by now? You aren't planning to drag the party into ruin, are you?”
“Chairman!”
Choi Seohyeon raised his voice, but the party leader ignored him and continued.
“I supported you because I thought you could reclaim the presidency. That's why I threw all my votes behind you and spared no effort supporting you.”
“......”
“But at this rate, our party will collapse. Whether the allegations are true or not, a presidential candidate used fabricated evidence to frame someone.”
Choi Seohyeon merely glared at him in silence.
“And to make matters worse, it turns out this wasn't even your own decision but something you did under orders from some unknown organization. Have you really thought that little? Accepting campaign funds? The party could've stepped in and cleaned that up. We could've dragged things out and simply held the election first. But have you seen the poll results? At this rate, we're absolutely doomed.”
“Chairman, have you forgotten who put you in that seat?”
The party leader chuckled.
“I get the party leadership, and you get the presidency. That was our agreement. So tell me, can you still become president? Did I break my promise? No. You're the one who betrayed my trust. I even supported you when you first attacked Kim Muhyuk. But look where that got us. Step down.”
The Progressive Party had no provision that allowed it to forcibly remove a presidential candidate.
Even if Choi Seohyeon stubbornly refused, they couldn't simply pick another candidate.
In the end, he had to resign voluntarily.
“If you continue insisting, everyone will leave the party one after another. If you want to go down in history as a sinner, then do as you please.”
After finishing his words, the party leader left without even saying goodbye.
Watching the door close behind him, Choi Seohyeon let out an empty laugh.
Surrounded on all sides.
There was no better expression to describe his situation.
* * *
Special visitation room, Seoul Detention Center.
Kim Hyukjin sat there with a tense expression.
When the door opened, it wasn't his lawyer who entered.
After seeing who it was, Kim Hyukjin widened his eyes in surprise.
“Assistant Kim. Or should I say Chief Secretary now? It's been a long time.”
“H-Ha Myeonghun... Chairman Ha. How are you here...”
Ha Myeonghun sat down with a gentle smile.
“I came to help you, so there's no need to be so surprised.”
“To help me?”
Ha Myeonghun nodded.
“This is Chairman Kim Muhyuk's will. If you tell the truth, we'll do our best to protect you. Candidate Choi Seohyeon is trying to shift all responsibility onto you. Are you really going to shoulder all the blame and spend the rest of your life in prison?”
This was an illegal political fund scandal being watched by the entire country.
And not merely suspicions.
There was even video evidence showing the exchange of money.
It was a major crime that could never result in a light sentence.
After all, there had never been a case where a transaction involving thirty billion won in political funds had been caught on camera.
“How can I trust Chairman Ha?”
At the suspicious question, Ha Myeonghun smiled.
“Don't you know who I am? I stood beside Chairman Cheon Taesan for decades as his chief secretary. And after Chairman Kim Muhyuk inherited everything, I came to lead Taesan Financial Holdings, established to honor Chairman Cheon Taesan's memory. If it is Chairman Kim Muhyuk's will, I would jump even into the flames of hell.”
Kim Hyukjin fell silent.
Ha Myeonghun quietly looked at him and continued.
“We know you acted under Candidate Choi Seohyeon's orders. The prosecution isn't very interested in catching you either. Their target is Choi Seohyeon. With President Choi Taeuk already testifying, even if you remain silent, Choi Seohyeon has no escape route.”
Choi Seohyeon's downfall had already been decided.
Kim Hyukjin still hesitated.
“Your daughter is in her final year of high school this {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} year, isn't she? Her name was...”
The moment his daughter was mentioned, Kim Hyukjin's face turned pale.
“I heard she hasn't even been able to go to school lately. Did you know that?”
“What are you talking about? Why can't my daughter go to school?”
“...Are you asking because you truly don't know?”
Collective punishment had long been abolished, but in private life, it still existed in unwritten form.
And unfortunately, this scandal had erupted at the most sensitive period of all.
“Do you really think your daughter can avoid the consequences of a scandal this big?”
“M-My wife never told me anything...”
“She probably did it because she didn't want you to worry. Your daughter hasn't gone to school for a week already.”
Kim Hyukjin lowered his head without saying a word.
“We'll take responsibility and send her abroad to study. I heard your daughter's dream is to become a doctor? Since she's becoming one anyway, wouldn't it be better for her to become a doctor in America? Housing expenses, living expenses, tuition. We'll cover every cost until she becomes a doctor. You can serve a few years, then go to America and reunite with your daughter.”
Kim Hyukjin wavered at Ha Myeonghun's proposal.
Ha Myeonghun's tongue was like that of a snake, saying exactly what Kim Hyukjin needed most right now.
“Choi Seohyeon is already a sinking ship. No matter how loyal you are, he won't be able to protect you. Accepting our offer will be better for you and your family.”
After saying that, Ha Myeonghun crossed his arms and waited.
After some time passed, Kim Hyukjin raised his head.
His eyes had hardened, as though he had made up his mind.
“What do I have to do?”
“Tell the prosecution everything you know. That everything was done under Choi Seohyeon's orders. And that behind Choi Seohyeon was an unknown force you couldn't identify. I'm not asking you to lie. You only need to tell the truth.”
Hearing those words, Kim Hyukjin closed his eyes and raised his head.
After remaining silent for a long time, he nodded.
“Understood. I'll tell them everything. Please send my family overseas first. Then I'll do whatever you want.”
“It'll take time to prepare. Studying abroad isn't something that can be arranged overnight. We'll send employees to speak with your family and arrange the schedule. All you have to do is testify.”
Ha Myeonghun patiently explained.
Watching him carefully, Kim Hyukjin asked cautiously,
“...What if I tell you everything and you still don't keep your promise?”
“The cost of helping your family settle in America isn't even dust to Chairman Kim Muhyuk. He's a man who established a scholarship foundation with 500 billion won. Do you really think he'd break his promise over such a trivial amount?”
“You have to keep your promise. Please.”
“We will. Tomorrow, when the prosecution summons you, cooperate with the investigation. Meet with your family and make plans afterward.”
Letting out a sigh, Kim Hyukjin nodded.
“Chairman Ha. How many years do you think I'll get?”
“Well, we can't know that for certain. But we'll make sure you can get out in less than five years.”
“Five years...”
Kim Hyukjin muttered gloomily, and Ha Myeonghun shrugged.
“The whole nation is watching this scandal. Even five years is generous. No matter what, you're the one who physically received the money, Chief Kim.”
“Whew... Understood.”
“And we'll provide you with lawyers. Your current lawyer was introduced by Choi Seohyeon, after all.”
“Then where is that lawyer...?”
“He's probably outside smoking. He'll come in after I leave. He'll likely bring the termination documents as well. Sign with the new lawyers immediately. They'll come in together.”
Having finished speaking, Ha Myeonghun stood up.
“Then I'll be going.”
After Ha Myeonghun left, just as he said, two lawyers entered.
Kim Hyukjin terminated his contract with his previous attorney and signed with the new ones.
His hand trembled slightly as he signed the papers.
* * *
Everyone involved was pointing to Choi Seohyeon as the mastermind.
Choi Taeuk, who had prepared and handed over the money personally.
Kim Hyukjin, who had received the money and moved it to the officetel personally.
In the end, the prosecution summoned Choi Seohyeon.
On the day Choi Seohyeon appeared before the prosecution, I arrived at Incheon Airport.
“Branch Manager Kim Muhyuk!”
Several Koryeo Daily reporters were waiting at the airport.
“Ah, Reporter Jeong. Long time no see.”
While I was greeting familiar reporters, Yoon Jaeha approached.
“You made it.”
“Yeah.”
I nodded.
I could feel people stealing glances at us.
“Reporter Jeong. Let's do the interview somewhere quieter.”
At that moment, reporters from other media outlets stationed at the airport heard the news and rushed over.
“Branch Manager Kim Muhyuk!”
“Alright, alright. Let's all move somewhere quieter.”
After relocating, I held a brief interview.
“Branch Manager Kim, have you returned to Korea permanently?”
“Not at all. The economic situation in the United States isn't very good right now. It's difficult for me to make time. But because the suspicions haven't subsided, I thought that leaving things alone would only lead to wild speculation. So I made time and came to Korea to cooperate with the prosecution's investigation.”
Before I even finished speaking, another reporter immediately asked,
“Branch Manager Kim, what do you think about this whole situation?”
“I have never given money to any politician. I don't know why Candidate Choi Seohyeon is trying to frame me, but just as you can't cover the sky with your hand, you can't hide the truth. I only hope that through this incident everything will come to light and all suspicions will be cleared.”
After finishing the interview, I got into the prepared car.
Yoon Jaeha followed me inside.
“Hey, Jaeha. Thanks.”
“For what? You're heading straight to the prosecution, right?”
“Yeah. I'm leaving the country again in two days. I need to get the investigation over with quickly.”
“Ugh. You're definitely pulling all-nighters.”
Grumbling, Yoon Jaeha checked the necessary documents.
“Well, won't everyone understand if I go through two days of overnight questioning? Hyunwoo's handling my case too, right?”
“Of course.”
“They won't ban me from leaving the country, right?”
“Are you crazy? Even if someone requests it, Hyunwoo will block it himself, so don't worry.”
The car carrying me sped toward the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office.
“Choi Seohyeon is still hanging on.”
“There's no way to force him out. After today's questioning, he'll probably be officially converted into a suspect. If he still refuses to step down, a wave of resignations from the Progressive Party will follow. If they can't choose a new presidential candidate, they'll have to leave the party and nominate a new one.”
“Looks like he doesn't want to let go of the last thread of hope.”
“I guess we'll have to cut it off for him.”
I spoke coldly as I looked out the window.
