Chapter 451: I’ll Believe Everyone Is Sincere

Things started moving quickly with Seo Jae-hoon's case.

The detention warrant review requested by Il-seong Group's Legal Department was rejected by the court.

Despite Jang Geun-seok's multiple attempts to meet with the judge overseeing the detention warrant review, the judge refused all meetings.

Without even a single hearing, they issued a summary dismissal.

Goryeo Daily published articles about it every day and other media outlets followed suit with their own coverage of Seo Jae-hoon.

Then came time for Seo Jae-hoon's first prosecution investigation.

Seo Jae-hoon denied all charges.

In contrast Han Ji-ho testified it was his own doing not Seo Jae-hoon's orders.

The prosecution presented evidence like the recordings Lee Seok-min provided and Patrick's blood found on Seo Jae-hoon's clothes.

Even so Han Ji-ho's testimony didn't change.

But the evidence was sufficient.

The materials Lee Seok-min brought on witness testimony day proved fatal for Seo Jae-hoon.

Lee Seok-min testified not only about breach of trust and embezzlement but also provided detailed circumstances about the missing persons case he had covered up.

Ironically despite Seo Jae-hoon's arrest Il-seong Group affiliate stock prices actually rose.

This was because management rights for Ilseong Electronics transferred to Future Investment and board member replacements were starting at subsequent shareholder meetings.

The management dispute had essentially consumed the owner risk.

Song Chan-hyeok who was recently detained contacted me through his lawyer saying he wanted to meet.

I headed to the Seongdong Detention Center's special attorney meeting room to see him.

Not long after I arrived Song Chan-hyeok entered the meeting room.

The guard seated Song Chan-hyeok greeted us then left.

"You asked to see me?"

Though not even a month had passed since his detention Song Chan-hyeok's face looked quite haggard.

"Yes Boss Kim."

He glanced at his lawyer sitting beside me then said:

"You can step out."

At those words the lawyer stood up.

"Please call me when you're finished talking."

"Ah if you have any cigarettes leave them. Let Representative Song have a smoke. I quit so I don't have any."

The lawyer placed cigarettes and a lighter on the table before leaving.

"Have one."

"Thank you."

Song Chan-hyeok took a cigarette from the pack lit it.

I pushed the paper cup in front of me toward Song Chan-hyeok saying:

"How's life in detention?"

Song Chan-hyeok gave a bitter smile and shook his head.

"It's not an environment fit for human life."

"I see. But why did you want to meet me? Your sudden contact surprised me."

Song Chan-woo followed my instructions faithfully.

He immediately called a family meeting and got approval to abandon Song Chan-hyeok.

There was some opposition but everyone fell silent when told I had strongly demanded it.

As a result they proceeded with charges against Song Chan-hyeok for breach of trust embezzlement and various other illegal acts committed while he was Vice President of Daehyeon Heavy Industries.

From filing charges to Song Chan-hyeok's arrest took less than a week.

But not a single line of news coverage appeared.

Thanks to this most people don't know Song Chan-hyeok is currently detained.

Though some people know unless mainstream media covers this story the general public will never find out.

There were several reasons for keeping this so hidden.

First was the potential for it to be framed as political retaliation.

I didn't want to burden Yoon Chang-ho who was now running the transition committee.

The second reason was my promise to Song Chan-woo.

He didn't want news of abandoning family made public.

Though he filed charges against Song Chan-hyeok on my orders it seemed to weigh on his mind.

"I was wrong. I'm sorry."

Song Chan-hyeok who had put out his cigarette bowed his head.

"For what? Why are you apologizing?"

"There's plenty to apologize for isn't there? I ignored your advice and jumped into the presidential race. Then I conspired with Huh Tae-min for a unified candidacy. I knew this would harm President-elect Yoon Chang-ho whom you'd prepared with for so long."

"Feeling lonely in here by yourself? Don't worry too much – Huh Tae-min will soon be in the next cell over for violating political funding laws."

I had no intention of letting Huh Tae-min off easy for daring to bare his fangs.

The illegal campaign funds Seo Jae-hoon provided through his slush fund exceeded 10 billion won.

That evidence was already in the prosecution's hands thanks to Lee Seok-min.

They'd agreed to begin summoning him for investigation right after Yoon Chang-ho officially took office as president.

"That's not it. How could I feel wronged? This all happened because of my own mistakes. Didn't you warn me several times? Not to have unnecessary greed… After seeing the election results I finally understood. How meaningless approval ratings are. I was temporarily insane."

Has he completely let everything go?

I wondered if people could really change so suddenly.

Or maybe he wants something?

"What do you want me to do for you?"

Song Chan-hyeok smiled and shook his head.

"Nothing. I just wanted to apologize."

"…"

"Here there's nothing to do but think. At first I felt wronged too. What terrible crime had I committed to be locked up here? I just ran for president because the people wanted me to…"

I could understand Song Chan-hyeok feeling wronged.

Both in my past life and this one his approval ratings were high. But that was just the World Cup's halo effect.

His only mistake was not realizing that wouldn't all translate into votes.

If Yoon Chang-ho hadn't existed I might have backed this man.

Then Song Chan-hyeok might have become president.

"I can see why you'd think that."

"But as days passed my perspective changed. I realized it was all a bubble my own greed. I saw how my father was treated when he ran for president and what revenge he faced after losing. I even experienced firsthand how grueling the campaign was while helping him but how could I have forgotten all that?"

I nodded slightly at his self-reproaching voice.

Song Chan-hyeok had followed Chairman Song Young-ju throughout his entire campaign.

Maybe that's why he became more ambitious.

"So I wanted to apologize. My actions with Huh Tae-min interfered with your work and on top of that I got greedy for the Daehyeon Group my father left behind."

They say when people suddenly change it means they're near death.

Still harboring doubt I looked at him and asked once more:

"You really don't want anything?"

"No. I told my family too. To settle everything in Korea and go to France. When I get out I'll leave for Europe too. Unless something major happens I won't return to Korea. So I hope I won't cause any more damage to Daehyeon Group or our family name."

Having finished speaking Song Chan-hyeok fidgeted with the cigarette pack.

"Feel free to have another if you'd like."

"Then I'll have one more."

While Song Chan-hyeok smoked I organized my thoughts.

'I wonder if he's repented enough to be useful.'

Even if I used him I had no intention of letting him stay in Korea.

Still since he had influence in FIFA pushing him in that direction wouldn't be bad.

Having finished his cigarette Song Chan-hyeok stubbed it out in the paper cup.

I finished my thoughts and spoke:

"I'll believe everything you've told me today is sincere."

"It is sincere."

Seems he's done quite a bit of reflection. I nodded satisfactorily.

"Good. I'll make sure you get a suspended sentence in the first trial."

But Song Chan-hyeok didn't look pleased.

"I didn't apologize hoping for that."

"I know. I'm doing this because I need you. You've shown enough remorse that I think we could work together once."

"Work together…?"

Song Chan-hyeok asked back with a puzzled expression.

"Yes. Even if you get a suspended sentence in the first trial you'll lose your National Assembly seat."

"I'm aware of that."

"Submit your resignation to the National Assembly through your lawyer before then. Then leave Korea the moment you get your suspended sentence. Of course step down as Korea Football Association president too. You can pass that to one of your relatives."

Song Chan-hyeok had nodded quietly at giving up his Assembly seat but his face darkened at the mention of leaving the Football Association.

This guy really loves soccer.

That's even better. With a slight smirk I said:

"Then prepare to run for FIFA president in Europe. I'll provide all the support you need."

"FIFA president? There's still 4 years left in the term. Plus Sepp Blatter has completely taken over FIFA. Just recently Rufinnen the Secretary General lost the power struggle and resigned."

"I know about that too. Blatter said he'd dismiss Secretary General Rufinnen right after the World Cup and Rufinnen resigned first."

Blatter had sent a warning to executive committee members who targeted him.

He said if they challenged him one more time he'd drive them out of FIFA like Secretary General Rufinnen.

As time passes Blatter builds stronger walls around his FIFA kingdom.

It seemed fun to use Song Chan-hyeok to take that into my grasp before then.

"But you want me to run for president? Both UEFA President Lennart Johansson and CAF President Hayatou lost by big margins in two elections. If even the UEFA president lost what chance does someone from a small Asian country have?"

Facing his uncertain voice I spoke firmly:

"We won't know until we try. I'll back you completely. So when you get out of detention establish yourself in Europe and first secure support from Presidents Johansson and Hayatou. I'll handle all the expenses. The justification works well too doesn't it? You supported Johansson in '98 and Hayatou in 2002. Now you can ask them to support Chairman Song."

Song Chan-hyeok fell silent with a troubled expression.

"There's still plenty of time. About a month until the trial. Think it over until then."

"I understand. …But why make such an offer to me?"

"Hmm. Because it's interesting? I think it'd make for an interesting picture if Chairman Song took over FIFA."

"Interesting?"

Song Chan-hyeok stared at me blankly with a dumbfounded expression.

"After acquiring the English football club I've had my eye on FIFA. Same with this World Cup. Rather than creating something from nothing Representative Song who already has the foundation could save that time."

It was half for fun and half sincere.

FIFA established in 1904 had been dominated by Europeans.

Though former president Havelange was the only non-European president even he was from Brazil a World Cup powerhouse.

What would happen if an Asian specifically a Korean became FIFA president?

It seemed quite interesting to have my own president sitting in that seat.

"I accept your apology. Think it over well."

I stood and extended my hand.

Song Chan-hyeok stood and took my hand saying:

"I apologize once again."

"That's enough. No need to keep apologizing. It's already over right? I'll be going now. I'll tell your lawyer to come back in."

I waved my hand lightly and turned around. Before leaving I paused with my hand on the meeting room doorknob.

"Ah I forgot to mention this. The FIFA president's term doesn't necessarily have to end for an election to be held. A major scandal might trigger a resignation movement you know."

I turned the doorknob leaving those words behind.