Seoul High Court Case No. 2018No 8711
Defendant: Go Sangjun
Presiding Judge: Seoul High Court Criminal Division 6 (Presiding Judge Yang Cheol-yong)
Prosecutor: Special Prosecution Team Investigating Wooshin Group Corruption Allegations, Special Prosecutor Jo Moon-young
I bit my lip, comparing the screen with the official document on my desk. This special prosecution had begun with Wooshin Group's corruption, and I—the head of the investigation team—was supposed to handle the second trial. But without any prior notice, the assigned prosecutor for the second trial had been changed.
I squeezed my eyes shut and leaned back in my chair. Former Senior Prosecutor Jo Moon-young had been the most passive member of the special team. Personally, I'd thought she should have been kicked off the team entirely. And now, she was taking over as the prosecutor for the second trial.
"Chief, take a look at this too."
Oh Yanghun, my quietly standing secretary, handed me two sheets of paper.
"What's this?"
"You'll see when you read it."
He seemed reluctant to say more, simply pushing the documents toward me.
OFFICIAL DISMISSAL NOTICEDismissal from Special Prosecution Team
Cha Juhan, Senior Prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office Third Deputy Chief Prosecutor, is dismissed from the Special Prosecution Team Investigating Wooshin Group Corruption Allegations.
(Reason: Possibility of retaliatory investigation)
It was exactly what I'd expected when the second-trial prosecutor changed. The media would have announced it already. I flipped to the next page right away. It was a printed internet news article.
📰 Breaking NewsChief Prosecutor Hwang Youngchan of Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office Nominated for Prosecutor GeneralHwang Youngchan, a graduate of Gyeonggi High School and Seoul National University Law School, completed training at the Judicial Research and Training Institute...
"Congratulations on the promotion!"
I hadn't even finished the first paragraph when a commotion erupted outside the door. Leaving my bewildered secretary behind, I opened it. Every prosecutor's office door swung open in unison. Prosecutors rushed out, suits impeccably neat, lining up in formation.
"Chief Prosecutor, congratulations on your promotion to Prosecutor General!"
The First Deputy Chief Prosecutor led the cheer, bowing deeply to Hwang Youngchan in the center.
"Chief Prosecutor, congratulations on your promotion to Prosecutor General!"
All the prosecutors parroted the words like parrots, bending at the waist. Their 90-degree bows looked less like prosecutors and more like gangsters showing respect.
As I followed the others in bowing, my gaze met Hwang Youngchan's. He stared steadily at me. I wasn't in the mood to congratulate him. His promotion had come at my expense.
But still, I said, "Congratulations," bowing deeply just like the rest.
"Cut it out, everyone. The confirmation hearing's still ahead. It's not set in stone. Back to your offices and get to work."
Hwang Youngchan spoke casually, as if it were nothing, and headed into his office. Only when his door clicked shut did the prosecutors straighten up. Obeying the—no, the nominee for Prosecutor General's—orders, they returned to their rooms without a word of gossip. The bustling hallway fell silent in an instant.
I strode straight to Hwang Youngchan's office.
Knock knock.
"Come in."
I opened the door after his permission. He sat at his desk, flipping through papers as if nothing had happened. Even as I approached, he didn't look up.
A long silence stretched. Finally, I spoke.
"Congratulations on the promotion."
"You didn't look too thrilled earlier."
"Oh, was it that obvious?"
"Not getting sincere congratulations from a valued junior... Guess I misjudged you."
"Seems like it. That's why you removed me from the special team. If you'd known what kind of guy I was from the start, you would've blocked me from joining altogether."
Hwang Youngchan removed his glasses and looked up at me.
"That's why I'm correcting it now."
"Correcting it by kicking me out on bogus charges of retaliatory prosecution?"
"It was obviously something that needed addressing. Don't you think?"
"I'm questioning whether you needed to drag my family history into the media to do it. Besides, I never did anything unfair."
"Well, that's just your opinion. No one can view themselves objectively. As Chief Prosecutor, I had no choice for the sake of fairness."
He continued with a stern expression. "The media calls you the fearless tough guy who charges at conglomerates. FM Robot. Great nicknames. Perfect praise for a prosecutor who must be incorruptible."
He stood and walked to the window, turning his back to me as he gazed down.
"But I've always wondered if you really deserve that reputation."
"May I ask why?"
"When your father died from side effects of a drug made by a Wooshin Group affiliate pharmaceutical company. Of course, it's not officially confirmed as a side effect—just speculation. He might've had other complications."
In that moment, I recalled his voice at my father's funeral, patting my shoulder consolingly.
Those Wooshin bastards have no conscience. Selling that crap to kill people. Hang in there, Cha Prosecutor. You've heard it a lot, but keep fighting.
Antrozol, made by Wooshin subsidiary Myeonghwa Pharma. The drug that killed my father—and still sold today because its side effects aren't legally recognized. Eight years ago, he'd cursed Wooshin. Now, he was subtly defending them.
"Go on."
"How many years have you personally investigated Wooshin? Whenever any chaebol scandal broke—not just Wooshin—you were always fired up."
"That's right."
"To me, you didn't look like a prosecutor seeking justice... More like someone obsessed with revenge."
"You're mistaken, Chief. Seeing me through colored glasses. I had no idea you thought that."
"Really? I still remember your voice from your days as a junior prosecutor, at your father's funeral—no, in the bathroom stall. Sobbing that you'd kill those Wooshin bastards."
My father's death had shaped the path I took in life. It still burned in my chest, especially since I hadn't crushed Wooshin yet. And Hwang Youngchan kept dragging that death into our petty argument. It was a profound insult.
Only when I started to waver did he finally turn to face me.
"You're like a broken train. A runaway locomotive spewing smoke, racing wildly down the tracks, not letting passengers off where they should, barreling toward destruction."
"Sounds like your eyesight's the problem, Chief."
"Cha Juhan. Don't be rude."
"Fine. A runaway locomotive. But weren't you worried it might crash into Wooshin Group and explode? Though the one you were really concerned about was Wooshin, not the train."
"You're too far gone with your delusions. You haven't seen the personnel announcement yet, have you? I still care about you. I've arranged for that locomotive to cool off, return to the Cha Juhan I knew, and then promote you to Chief Prosecutor."
He rummaged through his desk and handed me a document.
PERSONNEL TRANSFER ANNOUNCEMENTPromotion and Transfer
▲ Cha Juhan — Research Fellow, Judicial Research and Training Institute (from Third Deputy Chief Prosecutor, Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office)
Research Fellow at the Judicial Research and Training Institute. On the surface, it's a holding pattern before becoming Chief Prosecutor—or even Prosecutor General. It could look like Hwang Youngchan was positioning me for Chief Prosecutor. If I could leave quickly, that is.
The Institute is a strange place. A rest stop before promotion, but also a blatant exile from the organization. Obviously, for me, it was the latter.
"Why park me there for a break? If you're promoting me to Chief, just do it now. Especially looking at your odd case. The Seoul Central Chief Prosecutor isn't even high court level anymore. Yet you skipped high court chief and jumped two steps. Factoring in seniority, plenty of seniors will be forced out because of you. Personally, with a promotion like that... well, I wonder what deal was struck."
"Cha Juhan. How far do you intend to go?"
He called out my rudeness again. But there was no holding back now. By this point, public opinion was probably crucifying me. Dismissed from the special team on suspicion of retaliatory prosecution. Talking about Chief Prosecutor was lip service—it was basically telling me to quit.
Exiled from the organization, what could I not say to its head?
"Maybe Go Sangjun, the chairman, worried that the tough Cha Juhan would push for a 15-year sentence in the second trial."
"So?"
"Go Sangjun approaches the famous 'someone' who cared for me. Offers to trade my weakness for the Prosecutor General spot. Even a two-step leap isn't unprecedented—rumor was Seoul Central Chief meant 80% chance at Prosecutor General. Not much fallout."
Hwang Youngchan nodded for me to continue.
"But the tough, FM Robot Cha Juhan has no real weaknesses. Except one: his father was an Antrozol victim, harbors ill feelings toward Wooshin. Only that 'someone' knew. Luckily for Go Sangjun, it's enough leverage to take me down."
"Interesting story. And?"
"But outright removal would spark cries of 'they sidelined the tough prosecutor on purpose.' So he makes it look like a promotion with a transfer. Assigns the most passive, Wooshin-friendly special prosecutor to the second trial. Want me to guess what she'll say in court?"
"I'm curious too. How your novel ends."
"'We couldn't prepare evidence. We couldn't find any.'"
"Ha, no way."
"In the end, Go Sangjun and that 'someone' get their happy ending. Cha Juhan, who trusted and followed him, gets royally backstabbed. He never imagined his 'someone' would betray him. Used and discarded heroically, the story ends."
Hwang Youngchan nodded slowly, like a critic after a movie.
"You've got a talent for novels. If you're quitting, might as well become a writer."
"The main story's over, but there's a side story left."
"Oh? Tell me."
"Cha Juhan goes to the media, exposes everything. Whatever the outcome, he has to squirm somehow. He'll crash the confirmation hearing for that 'someone's' Prosecutor General fitness. In the end, 'someone' doesn't make it."
"I see. But your novel's Cha Juhan is too reckless. Even if he goes to the press, what if Go Sangjun blocks it? And if no one believes him?"
"I'll figure that out when the time comes. Haven't fleshed it out yet."
"Hope it works out. I'll watch as one reader. But the side story's boring. I don't like unrealistic tales. The main plot was engaging. Better to exit to applause, Mr. Author."
Hwang Youngchan sat back down, picking up his papers, signaling the end. From start to finish, he'd never once been on anything but Wooshin's side. Or maybe from the moment he decided to groom me, he'd been on power's side. Had there been a tight connection between Wooshin and Hwang all along? Or had the Prosecutor General prize blinded him suddenly?
It didn't matter now. I'd foolishly followed him for 15 years, and he'd betrayed me.
"Ah."
His word stopped me as I turned to leave.
"That 'someone' still likes Cha Juhan. Hopes to keep walking the same path. If you turn back now, you two can rebuild your old friendship."
I barely suppressed a scoff.
"Cha Juhan thinks that 'someone's' bullshit is too much. Might suggest seeing a shrink. Not sure what 'someone' thinks, though."
I left his office without looking back.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇⚡ Breaking News ⚡Cha Juhan, the Wooshin Sniper from Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office Third Deputy Chief, confirmed to have conducted retaliatory investigation, shocking some...
Next: Confirmation hearing for Prosecutor General nominee Hwang Youngchan set for tomorrow at 2 PM in the National Assembly main building. Depending on the outcome...
LIVE | [CHANNEL NAME] — [Location] | [Time]
It was a perfect story. The media, who had clamored for the special prosecution, now tore into the prosecutor who'd brought personal grudges into court. Broadcasters were useless too. I'd scheduled interviews with reporters, but they all canceled.
Sorry, Prosecutor. Orders from above.
Don't try to use the airwaves for personal gain, Prosecutor.
Dozens of places gave the same excuse. The only one willing to meet was a women's magazine covering celebrity gossip.
"Hoo..."
Forced vacation and a pittance daily allowance. My personal info had been dug up—my father's name, even my ex-wife's address. Yesterday, she'd called, saying she couldn't leave the house because of me. After years neglecting my family to chase Wooshin corruption, I had nothing to say but sorry.
Bzzz—
"Yes, Cha Juhan speaking."
Ah, yes. Deputy Chief. This is Secretary from Assemblyman Lee Jeong-o of the Democratic Freedom Party. Just confirming your attendance at tomorrow's hearing. We received the materials you sent.
"I'll definitely be there. Just reviewing the materials again."
Got it. Thanks for your hard work. Appreciate the help.
At least something went right—the opposition preparing Hwang's confirmation hearing had reached out. Right after dismissal, I'd compiled 15 years of clues from our history, enough to testify credibly. Tomorrow's hearing was make-or-break. I had to end Hwang there and prove his Wooshin ties.
Bzz—
Oh YanghunDeputy Chief, street food stall in front of your officetel. Drink?
The texter was Oh Yanghun. We'd meshed well since my early prosecutor days. Except for local postings, we'd spent most of my career together. Especially after my father died, he'd become like family.
But tomorrow was the hearing. Better skip the booze. I'd watch him drink and chat. I opened the door.
It's pouring.
Down at the officetel first floor, a torrent hammered the ground relentlessly. It was right outside anyway—dash over.
"Cha Juhan, Deputy Chief?"
The moment I stepped out, black-suited men surrounded me. Wooshin goons, obviously. No chance to speak.
"Mmph!"
"Come with us for a bit."
A handkerchief clamped over my nose and mouth, and consciousness faded.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Rumble rumble rumble—
I felt like vomiting. Partly the drugs, partly seasickness.
"Feeling better?"
I couldn't move. Hands and feet fully bound. Even unbound, I couldn't. I was trapped in a drum barrel.
"Wooshin bastards?"
"You're going anyway—what's it matter if you know?"
The man chuckled, and the other joined in.
"Scream all you want—no one's hearing shit."
Pitch-black sea everywhere. I was on a small fishing boat rattling annoyingly. The only light: a distant lighthouse on a fading island.
"Hiding at home, but you crawled out for your secretary's text. So simple."
Not from Oh Yanghun? We'd met there often—no suspicion. Brain frozen in despair? My mistake.
"Yeah, know your place next time."
They approached with wet cement, carefully filling the gaps around me in the drum.
"Don't you know what happens for killing a prosecutor?"
That was all I could muster. They laughed again. Money-driven thugs—bribe them. But I couldn't promise cash. I'd cleaned all financial ties fearing scrutiny as the Wooshin Sniper. Ironically, caught on something else.
"Smoke one before your face sets."
The man shoved his cigarette into my mouth. The damp filter disgusted me, but I inhaled deeply, long drags until it burned to the filter. Buying time.
"Prosecutor. Know your place next life."
No use. Cement poured over my head.
"Guhhh."
Couldn't breathe. It seeped into every orifice. They sealed the lid, rolling the drum on deck. Small mercy, maybe. I'd die before it hit the sea.
One last breath left—that instinct hit. Memories flashed: Seoul Law acceptance. Judicial exam pass. Becoming prosecutor. Father's death from Antrozol. Vowing to be Wooshin Sniper. Grasping hands with Wooshin victims. Rallying colleagues for special prosecution. Leaping when Go Sangjun's warrant passed. First meeting Go Sangjun...
Wooshin...
Know your place next life? No. Even reborn, I'd be the Wooshin Sniper. Reincarnate a hundred times—I'd never stop until the whole family rotted in prison. Until Wooshin vanished from the earth.
Kaboom!
Splash!
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Prosecutor."
"..."
"Prosecutor, time to get up. Aren't you hungry?"
"Gasp!"
I bolted upright in shock, scanning reflexively.
"Wh-where am I?"
Mountain of papers. Worn leather sofa peeling from use. Feature phone in hand. CRT TV playing news. Lee Ye-jin from next door, who visited often. Nametag on desk piled with files: [Prosecutor Cha Juhan]. And Oh Yanghun, looking a decade younger, grinning amusedly...
"Where else? Your office. Must've had one hell of a dream. Can't even snap out of it. Ordering food—what'll it be?"
Huge prosecutor's calendar on the wall.
Prosecutors' Office Calendar2008 March 7
"What're you getting?"
"Where from? The usual baekban joint."
"...Order the mackerel baekban."
"Got it. Wash up at least."
Fingers and toes chilled. No matter how I thought, one conclusion: If not a dream, I'd returned 10 years back. Parents alive. Nothing lost yet.
If it's like this anyway...
I'd bled fighting Wooshin. Allies vanishing one by one, turning up dead. Seven years of agony. Maybe this time, live normally like others?
⚡ Breaking News ⚡Wooshin Group Chairman Go Sangjun's philanthropy gains late attention. Chairman Go regularly visits Angel's House orphanage, donating 1 billion won annually for 10 years, totaling 10 billion won...
The TV news snapped me out of it. Angel's House. Where Go Sangjun's Nominee Accounts slumbered. He'd used the kids' names for stocks and accounts. After exposure, they met untimely "accidents." Wooshin's doing.
"Son of a bitch..."
The screen showed Go Sangjun splashing with the kids, smiling.
"Pardon? What'd you say?"
Oh Yanghun—now Oh Team Leader—pushed in a cart of files, staring startled.
"Nothing."
Yeah, I couldn't dream of a happy life. If I'd died in that drum, I'd haunt Go Sangjun as a ghost on his back. Regression 10 years: my second chance. Given to me.H