Chapter 455: Can’t You Just Refuse the Request?

When the American economy faltered due to the dot-com bubble and Afghanistan war, the U.S. government and Federal Reserve implemented low-interest policies to stimulate growth.

With reduced loan burdens people began borrowing money to invest in real estate and stocks.

Thanks to this the shocked market quickly stabilized.

But as a consequence U.S. housing prices began rising sharply.

Park Young-geun replied with a serious expression to my question.

"Our country's economy relies too heavily on large corporations. While another foreign exchange crisis is unlikely, if just one major corporation collapses everything could freeze. If we don't gradually fix this we might face another economic crisis in a different form."

Park Young-geun's words were right but his plan required a long-term view.

"We can't change the fundamentals overnight. This economic system has been in place for decades."

"It's a house of cards. An unstable system that could collapse at any moment."

"So you're predicting another major crisis like the foreign exchange crisis?"

No one yet foresaw the economic crisis that would start in America.

"Yes. It will likely begin in America or Europe."

But Park Young-geun firmly stated the economic crisis would start in the West.

I was a bit surprised but played it cool as I asked.

"America or Europe?"

"The rise in U.S. real estate prices is concerning. Housing prices are climbing while loan rates can't keep up. Everyone's taking out loans to buy houses. If these ever-rising property values collapse the American economy will be devastated. Once again ordinary people will suffer."

Park Young-geun said bitterly.

"Like when Japan's real estate bubble burst? That couldn't happen in America. America and Japan are different."

"True. I don't think it will collapse to that extent either but even America could be at risk. The longer they maintain low interest rates the higher that risk becomes."

Park Young-geun truly had a remarkable eye for economics. When I remained silent he continued speaking.

"Or an economic crisis starting in Europe could hit the whole world. After all our own foreign exchange crisis was triggered by problems in Southeast Asian countries. The global economy is now all connected. One country's crisis doesn't stay contained. We need to prepare for this possibility."

Park Young-geun went on for quite a while giving various examples to explain his thoughts.

While he correctly predicted some future events his core points were slightly off.

Still all his insights were quite interesting.

"Fascinating. If your predictions come true Chairman it sounds like the world economy would completely collapse."

While Park Young-geun anticipated asset appreciation he didn't understand the risks of derivatives like ABS and CDO.

As we were deep in conversation a man approached.

"Chairman."

Park Young-geun turned his head. The man who had come close whispered something in his ear.

"…I understand. I'll be there soon."

"Yes sir. We'll be waiting."

After the man left Park Young-geun explained the situation to me.

"I apologize Boss Kim. I'm told there are people waiting to meet with me."

"No problem. You must be busy please go ahead."

"Then I'll trust you regarding Il-seong Group matters. I'll wrap everything up before taking the Deputy Prime Minister position."

He knew exactly why he had been appointed as Fair Trade Commission Chairman.

I gave a slight nod.

"I'll take my leave first."

Park Young-geun rose first and quickly disappeared into the crowd.

After watching him leave I was about to stand up myself.

"Kim Mu-hyeok?"

But as soon as Park Young-geun vanished someone else approached. Busy day.

"Yes I'm Kim Mu-hyeok."

"I'm Kim Woo-hyung Deputy Prosecutor General of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office."

Though I knew his face this was our first actual meeting.

"I know who you are."

"May I sit down for a moment?"

Before I could even grant permission Kim Woo-hyung took a seat.

"I've heard a lot about you Kim Mu-hyeok."

"I've heard much about you too Deputy Prosecutor General. But why have you suddenly sought me out?"

Kim Woo-hyung and I had no connection whatsoever.

The only link was that Il-seong Group's Legal Department Head was close with Kim Woo-hyung.

Could this be about the Seo Jae-hoon case?

"It's because of a request from Legal Department Head Jang Geun-seok."

As expected it's about Il-seong Group issues. I raised an eyebrow as I asked.

"I don't see what connection that person and I could have for you to seek me out like this."

"No need to play coy. I know who you are. What kind of person you are and what you do."

"That sounds like a threat."

"Haha no not at all."

Kim Woo-hyung laughed loudly with an easy-going manner.

I didn't want to raise my voice on such a nice day. But this pest had latched on.

"What exactly are you trying to do here?"

When I asked sharply Kim Woo-hyung stopped laughing and said.

"Actually Legal Department Head Jang Geun-seok is my senior. He kept asking for this favor and I simply couldn't refuse so I came to see you. But I'm not here to ask you for anything. You wouldn't grant my request anyway."

He spoke as if he knew me well which annoyed me even more.

"…If you have nothing to say I'll be leaving. I came to a friend's wedding and haven't even had a proper conversation with my friends yet."

"Just give me five minutes. There are eyes watching you see."

I shifted my gaze behind Kim Woo-hyung. Sure enough several people were watching us.

They seemed to be people monitoring Kim Woo-hyung under Jang Geun-seok's orders.

"Then hopefully Legal Department Head Jang Geun-seok won't bother me anymore. I don't know why he keeps calling the Deputy Prosecutor General… I might lose my position any day now myself."

"Can't you just refuse the request?"

"I can't refuse since I've taken things from him."

More honest than expected. It was interesting how he openly admitted to taking money.

Noticing my look he shrugged.

"Why hide it? It's pointless trying to hide anything from you Kim Mu-hyeok. I don't want to be on bad terms with you."

Seems like we might be able to talk sense. I tapped my finger on the table considering what to do.

"I know what happened to everyone who crossed you. So I have zero desire to get involved between you and Seo Jae-hoon. But because of money I took before I've ended up here. Please help me just this once. So I don't have to end my prosecution career in disgrace."

Hard to refuse when he puts it that way.

I let out a small sigh and nodded.

"Alright. Five minutes exactly."

"Thank you."

"Were you an Il-sung scholarship student?"

Kim Woo-hyung wasn't on any Il-sung scholarship list I knew of.

"No. I somehow ended up in the Deputy Prosecutor General position. I wasn't even competent enough for Il-seong Group to be interested in me as a rookie. But Legal Department Head Jang Geun-seok sponsored me separately. That connection has now become my leash."

Though second in command at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office he wasn't really a power player.

He ranked below the head of the Special Investigation Department Seoul District Prosecutor Ministry of Justice's Criminal Division and even the head of Public Security.

The Deputy Prosecutor General position was just a nominal seat before retirement with little real power.

"How's your relationship with President-elect Yoon Chang-ho?"

"Hmm… I don't have much connection with President-elect Yoon Chang-ho."

We spent about five minutes making meaningless small talk.

I checked my watch and stood up.

"I'll be going now. It was nice meeting you Deputy Prosecutor General."

"Thank you for your time."

He withdrew rather smoothly. I shook hands with Kim Woo-hyung and walked away first.

When I returned to the table everyone was having an animated conversation.

"Why are you working even at a wedding?"

Myeong-su scolded me. Since I couldn't deny it was work I just gave a bitter smile.

"It just happened."

After glancing toward Kim Woo-hyung Myeong-su asked in a low voice.

"That was Deputy Prosecutor General Kim Woo-hyung right? Why? Did he ask you for something? I heard he's probably going to lose his position."

"You know something?"

Myeong-su shook his head slightly and continued.

"Looks like President-elect Yoon is planning a major overhaul of the prosecution. Don't know the details but I heard most of the High Prosecutors will be forced to retire when the current Prosecutor General's term ends."

"Really? Unexpected. I thought he'd be most supportive of the prosecution."

"He was Prosecutor General so he knows the prosecution better than anyone. It's about taming them you know. He probably also wants to completely reorganize the prosecution with his own people."

Suddenly I felt everyone at the table turn their attention to us.

I cleared my throat lightly and nudged Myeong-su's side.

"Let's talk about this later."

Rubbing his side Myeong-su turned back to continue talking with the others.

I didn't join the conversation just listened with a small smile.

Except for Hyeon-seong everyone had taken the bar exam so they seemed to be talking about that.

A moment later.

Oh Hyeon-woo and Han Min-kyung went around greeting people in casual clothes. They came to our table last.

"Haah…"

Oh Hyeon-woo sat down and let out a deep sigh.

Then he quickly grabbed my water and drank it.

"Was it tough?"

"Yeah but now that it's all over I feel relieved."

Han Min-kyung's face also showed signs of fatigue.

"Min-kyung are you okay?"

"Yeah I can manage."

"Good that's a relief."

Leaving Han Min-kyung to chat with acquaintances I turned back to Oh Hyeon-woo.

"You're heading straight to your honeymoon right?"

"Yeah planning to leave right after the reception."

"Someone will be waiting when you arrive in Greece. Just follow them. I've set everything up properly so rest well while you're there."

The couple had decided to spend their honeymoon on my island in Greece.

The spacious island had all the amenities and strict security.

They could spend time purely together without worrying about other people's eyes.

"Thanks. That's one less thing to worry about."

"There's a helicopter too so you can go shopping on the Greek mainland. Have fun. When else will you get a proper break?"

While chatting with Oh Hyeon-woo I looked around.

Oh Jeong-seok was beaming surrounded by people.

Many people approached him trying to get noticed and Oh Jeong-seok enjoyed it.

All hoping for positions in the incoming Yoon Chang-ho administration.

Oh Hyeon-woo seemed aware of this too frowning as he spoke.

"Isn't it ridiculous? It's my and Min-kyung's wedding but all the guests are here for grandfather."

"What can you do? This is what wedding culture has become."

And so the wedding concluded.

Oh Hyeon-woo and Han Min-kyung departed for Incheon Airport in their wedding car amid everyone's blessings while the reception continued on.

I arrived at the Seoul District Prosecutors' Office.

With Manager Ma I reached the 6th floor where Criminal Division 5 was located.

Past the security bars we arrived at the recording room overlooking the interrogation room.

Through the one-way mirror I could see Seo Jae-hoon.

"He hasn't said a word for ten days?"

Jeong Tae-hoon quickly answered my question.

"No. Vice Chairman Seo Jae-hoon hasn't opened his mouth once. No matter what questions we ask or evidence we show Jang Geun-seok answers everything."

"Still not admitting anything?"

"No. Neither Seo Jae-hoon nor Han Ji-ho has budged. But we have enough to prosecute."

I knew it would be like this. I nodded at his explanation.

"Everyone please clear the room. Let us talk alone."

"Yes sir."

"Manager Ma make sure no one enters."

After giving instructions to Manager Ma I left the recording room with Jeong Tae-hoon.

Standing at the door next to it I told Jeong Tae-hoon.

"Deputy Prosecutor please wait in your office. I'll contact you when we're done talking."

Jeong Tae-hoon waved his hands at my suggestion.

"No I'll stay here and make sure no one enters."

"That would be helpful."

"Yes I won't let anyone in even attorneys."

Smiling slightly at his exaggerated manner I turned the doorknob.

Though I entered Seo Jae-hoon kept his eyes closed showing no reaction.

I looked down at him across the table.

"Seo Jae-hoon."