Park Jin-hyuk watched with a smile as Park Su-man was dragged away. Looking around, he felt the gaze of everyone in the room fixed on him.
The attendees could sense it instinctively. Park Jin-hyuk was directly or indirectly involved in Park Su-man’s downfall. The results of the vote only added certainty to that suspicion.
‘This was all a show to catch Park Su-man.’
The shareholders couldn’t tell who had started it first, but it was clear that Park Su-man had been dancing in the palm of Park Jin-hyuk’s hand for quite some time.
While Jin-hyuk basked in the attention with a pleasant expression, the prosecutor who had ordered Su-man’s arrest approached him.
“Hello. Let me introduce myself. I am Kim Jae-hoon, the Chief Prosecutor of the First Financial and Tax Crime Investigation Division at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office.”
“Oh. You’re a Chief Prosecutor? Men of your rank don’t usually come out to places like this, do they?”
“Normally, no… but today is special, so I brought the boys out myself.”
Jin-hyuk looked closely at Kim Jae-hoon. Comparing him to the people nearby, the value floating above his head was significantly more striking than the others.
[20 billion won]
Compared to the other prosecutors and investigators he brought, whose values barely exceeded a few hundred million won, the value Kim Jae-hoon displayed was much more prominent.
Thinking it would be wise to establish a good relationship with him, Jin-hyuk gave Kim Jae-hoon a pleasant smile. When he turned his gaze behind the man, the suited individuals standing behind Kim Jae-hoon bowed deeply to Jin-hyuk. They also seemed to know exactly who the person in front of them was.
Kim Jae-hoon introduced the men behind him to Jin-hyuk.
“These are the boys working under me.”
“Ah, yes. Hello. I am Park Jin-hyuk.”
When Jin-hyuk reached out for a greeting, the prosecutors simultaneously took his hand with both of theirs, acting as politely as possible. After exchanging greetings with each one, Jin-hyuk finished, and Kim Jae-hoon spoke with a smile.
“Managing Director, you don’t need to worry. The search and seizure at Hanuri is already over. The one here at DS Telecom will be wrapped up soon as well. I’ll make sure to handle everything properly so as not to cause any trouble for you or the Chairman.”
“I simply want things to be handled cleanly according to the law.”
“Yes. I understand. Cleanly…”
Kim Jae-hoon patted his chest to signal that he would keep Jin-hyuk’s words in mind, then led him to a corner. After confirming no one was around, he spoke.
“To be honest, I received a lot of help from DS during my time at the Judicial Research and Training Institute.”
Jin-hyuk watched Kim Jae-hoon in silence. The man looked into the distance for a moment, as if reminiscing about the past.
“I knew how to study, but my family situation was poor. Luckily, I was chosen as a DS scholarship student, which allowed me to focus on my studies without worrying about money. I haven’t forgotten that grace. I’ve always wanted to repay it whenever the time came.”
Kim Jae-hoon finished speaking and looked at Jin-hyuk.
“Managing Director. Please tell me. What level of punishment are you looking for? I’ll calculate the sentence and indict him at the level you want. Since the court ultimately makes its judgment based on my indictment, the result can change depending on how I frame it.”
“Hmm.”
“If we handle it lightly, I can make it incredibly light. Conversely, if we make it heavy, I can make it endlessly so. Although your goals differed, he is your uncle and the Chairman’s brother, isn’t he? That’s why I’m asking to confirm.”
Listening to Kim Jae-hoon, Jin-hyuk realized what he was implying. After thinking for a moment, he spoke.
“In a case of this magnitude, what is the typical sentence?”
“Usually, for this type of crime, if the appeal goes all the way to the Supreme Court, a prison sentence of two to three years is likely. And it would likely conclude with a suspended sentence.”
Jin-hyuk shook his head at Kim Jae-hoon’s words.
“That is not the conclusion I want.”
“As I thought, a prison sentence is a bit burdensome for you, isn’t it?”
“No. I’m dissatisfied with the idea of a suspended sentence.”
“Pardon?”
Kim Jae-hoon knew that typical chaebols found prison time burdensome. However, hearing that a suspended sentence was the problem was an unexpected response for him.
“He caused serious damage to the company, and you’re talking about a suspended sentence? We might face a barrage of criticism from public opinion. Once what happened here is known to the public, the stock price will obviously plummet. Do you know how much the existing shareholders will suffer?”
Kim Jae-hoon looked at Jin-hyuk without a word. His face seemed to be searching for whether Jin-hyuk was truly worried about the shareholders.
“What about the crime of causing chaos in an economy that is already struggling? Besides, didn’t you say the place where Hanuri brought in money from was Japan?”
“Yes. According to our findings, Hanuri couldn’t raise the funds on its own, so they used their Japanese branch to illegally collect and bring in funds. I also heard that Vice Chairman Park Su-man conspired in that.”
Jin-hyuk nodded at Kim Jae-hoon’s words. There had been mention of that in the evidence he had previously collected through Kim Jun-woo. Since Jin-hyuk was the one who had handed that evidence over to the prosecution, it wasn’t news to him. However, he mentioned it again because he didn’t want the issue to die down.
“I don’t think facts like these can be hidden even if we try. If you look at the media outlets gathered outside, you’ll feel it too, won’t you, Chief? They’re going to write stories about the crimes my uncle committed at the shareholders’ meeting. In such a situation, how will the public react if the crimes are revealed? Furthermore, what if he receives a sentence lower than the crimes he committed? Public opinion will turn against us, and they’ll point fingers at the prosecution. Is that all? On top of that, won’t the government be criticized as well? I don’t want to take such a risk just to protect a family member.”
Kim Jae-hoon listened quietly to Jin-hyuk. This was a case that could be blown up endlessly if they wanted to, or covered up if they were willing to endure the criticism. As usual, if they leaked a few celebrity scandals to distract the public and buried the story, it might catch people’s attention for a moment, but past cases showed it would eventually sink below the surface.
However, Jin-hyuk didn’t seem to want that. Kim Jae-hoon kept his opinions to himself while trying to grasp Jin-hyuk’s true intentions.
Jin-hyuk smiled as he saw Kim Jae-hoon listening intently. It was obvious the man was trying to figure out his intent.
‘He seems to understand what I’m saying.’
Satisfied with Kim Jae-hoon’s attitude, Jin-hyuk threw out the final word.
“The group will soon issue an apology. And we will add that we want a fair investigation. But what if the prosecution’s indictment isn’t ‘fair’? And who knows? Hidden crimes might come to light during the investigation. I don’t think we should judge based on this incident alone.”
Jin-hyuk emphasized the word “fair” with strength. Upon hearing that, Kim Jae-hoon realized the truth.
‘I’ll have to hit him with more than ten years.’
Kim Jae-hoon realized that DS Group wanted Park Su-man’s case to be blown up until he was beyond the point of recovery. He felt that if he dragged it out to the Supreme Court only to end with a suspended sentence, he would actually fall out of favor with DS Group.
Jin-hyuk approached Kim Jae-hoon and offered a handshake.
“I look forward to your help. I will make sure to remember your name. Chief Prosecutor Kim. Jae. Hoon.”
Kim Jae-hoon gripped Jin-hyuk’s hand with both of his. He understood Jin-hyuk’s meaning: if he handled this well, DS Group would back him from behind. Realizing an opportunity had arrived, Kim Jae-hoon spoke while still holding his hand.
“I will make sure to handle it thoroughly and ‘fairly.’ You don’t have to worry about a thing.”
“Good. Then I’ll put my trust in you, Chief.”
The two laughed warmly and turned back toward the crowd. The investigators, prosecutors, and DS Group staff watched Jin-hyuk and Kim Jae-hoon talking, knowing that Park Su-man’s fate was being decided right there. Seeing them return with smiles, they knew the conversation had ended satisfactorily.
Jin-hyuk bid Kim Jae-hoon farewell again and turned to leave first. Since the search and seizure was ongoing, the prosecutors and investigators sent Jin-hyuk off, saying they would leave a bit later.
As soon as Jin-hyuk stepped out of the building, countless cameras and reporters swarmed him. Their faces and voices were even more excited than when they had filmed him entering.
“Is it true that Vice Chairman Park Su-man illegally raised funds to engage in a management dispute?”
“Is the search and seizure of Hanuri Savings Bank and the arrest of the bank president related to this?”
“We heard he committed embezzlement and breach of trust as well. Were you aware of this?”
“What will happen to DS Telecom?”
Numerous microphones were thrust toward Jin-hyuk, but he didn’t say a word, only maintaining a grim expression. His dazed face and deep sighs—as if he hadn’t known either—were broadcast through the cameras.
“The group will make an official announcement tomorrow. Please wait until then.”
“Did DS Group not know about this fact either?”
“We didn’t know. If we had, the shareholders’ meeting wouldn’t have proceeded.”
“DS Telecom’s stock price plummeted at the end of the market session as the news broke. It’s obvious the stock will crash tomorrow as well. What are your thoughts on this?”
While passing through the forest of microphones, Jin-hyuk stopped Kim Jun-woo from speaking for him and stood tall, looking into the cameras. As Jin-hyuk, who had been silent, came to a halt, camera flashes went off, and everyone focused on his mouth.
Jin-hyuk waited until the reporters had taken enough shots before he spoke.
“We intend to take as much action as possible to ensure that no one suffers from this situation. I hope the shareholders will wait until then. DS Group is not a place that turns away from the sincerity of the shareholders who trusted and invested in us.”
After speaking, Jin-hyuk resumed his walk. Reporters followed behind, throwing questions, but Jin-hyuk didn’t even turn his head as he got into his car.
“Let’s go to Hannam-dong.”
“Are you referring to the main residence?”
Kim Jun-woo turned back with a surprised face.
“I should at least report to the Chairman. Also, call President Jeong of DS Securities.”
After speaking, Jin-hyuk leaned his head back and closed his eyes. In any case, he had finished everything up to the final stage. It was certain that Park Jun-man wouldn’t be unaware of this situation. However, Jin-hyuk couldn’t predict how he would react. If the current result was within the range Park Jun-man had expected, it would pass without much issue, but if it exceeded that range, he might be furious.
‘I still lack power.’
Although he had bumped heads with Park Jun-man a few times, those were always clashes within the range of what Park Jun-man could tolerate. Knowing this, Jin-hyuk could go against Park Jun-man’s wishes, and Park Jun-man didn’t blame Jin-hyuk too much. But this time, the problem was slightly different.
He had subtly dropped words to Kim Jae-hoon to demand severe punishment. If it were a problem limited to Park Su-man and Park Kyung-man, Park Jun-man might have pretended not to notice this time as well. But anyway, it was clear that DS Telecom would be damaged in some way. Jin-hyuk wasn’t confident that Park Jun-man would stay still in such a situation.
On the other hand, if he were to face off against Park Jun-man, he was a different beast than Park Su-man. He had complete control over the group, and the difference in their power was clear. For Jin-hyuk, who was just building his base and growing his power within the group, even avoiding the blade Park Jun-man swung was a burdensome situation.
Regardless of how Park Jun-man acted, Jin-hyuk felt the need to grow his own power for the future.
“Managing Director. It’s President Jeong from DS Securities.”
While Jin-hyuk’s eyes were closed, Kim Jun-woo handed him the phone after connecting with Jeong Chan-yong. Jin-hyuk sat up and took the phone.
“It’s me.”
“Yes, Managing Director. You were looking for me?”
A panting voice came from the other side of the receiver. It sounded like he had been working until just now and hurriedly took the call at Jin-hyuk’s contact.
“How much did the DS Telecom stock price drop?”
“It closed down 13%. The news from the shareholders’ meeting that became known a while ago hit the market as bad news and caused a shock.”
“I see. Then, the DS Telecom stocks we shorted—start clearing those positions immediately from the market opening tomorrow.”
“From the market opening, you say? If we leave it for a few more days, the profit…”
“Now is not the time for profits. And make an announcement before the market opens. Say that we will do our best to stabilize DS Telecom’s stock price. You don’t need to specifically say we’re clearing the shorts to prop up the stock price. Pass the message to the other places that went into the short with us as well. Isn’t a profit of around 10% good enough?”
Clearing a short position meant buying. Although clearing and buying were different, they could convey a similar feeling to market participants. For that reason, Jin-hyuk had ordered Jeong Chan-yong to clear the short positions. In any case, he just had to show that he was doing his best for market stability. Then the market participants would make their own judgments.
Watching this from the side, Kim Jun-woo looked at Jin-hyuk with a surprised expression.
‘Was this planned as well?’
Listening to what Jin-hyuk said to the reporters earlier, he had questioned how he intended to protect the shareholders. But with this method, it seemed the stock price wouldn’t drop any further. And it appeared that the initial instruction for DS Securities to push for the short selling had also been given with this foresight.
Kim Jun-woo began to wonder just how many steps ahead Jin-hyuk was looking.