Chapter 26: Two Years, One Lie

Nationality Act Article Six, Clause One.

After “two years” have passed since marriage.

A foreigner who has “continuously” “resided” in the Republic of Korea for that period meets the requirements for simplified naturalization.

As it happens, this year marked exactly two years since Uncle Minsik got married.

A very convenient coincidence.

‘Circumstantially, isn’t there a high possibility this is a sham marriage for the purpose of acquiring citizenship?’

Before adultery laws were abolished, many complaints of this nature used to come in.

Cases where someone would get married internationally and set up a household, only for the woman to wait until she met the residency requirements for naturalization before calling over a boyfriend from her home country.

“Her name is Le Thi Hanh, a Vietnamese national.”

I relayed exactly what I had heard from Uncle Minsik.

“…So, while it’s still just my speculation, it feels like she might have come to Korea with no intention of marriage from the start.”

— Hmm…

A troubled groan leaked through the receiver.

— As you well know, Prosecutor, since the abolition of adultery laws, these cases have become much more difficult to handle. Investigative agencies cannot intervene in civil matters.

“Yes, I am well aware.”

— It depends on the situation, but if that Vietnamese woman has already acquired South Korean citizenship, it will be difficult to pursue criminal punishment even if her intentions before the marriage were impure.

“That is the general rule.”

If it is proven that the marriage was simply a means to acquire citizenship, nationality can theoretically be revoked under Nationality Act Article Twenty-One.

Additionally, forced deportation could be carried out for violations of the Immigration Control Act, such as obtaining a residence permit through a sham marriage.

But…

‘Proving the opponent’s intentions were impure from the start?’

How on earth do you prove that?

The most difficult thing to prove in court is a person’s “heart.”

This is clearly reflected in practical experience. If you look at actual cases, nationality revocation mostly occurs in “extreme” cases of sham marriage where the couple never lived together in the first place.

‘In the end, it’s mostly the husbands who suffer economic and emotional damage in the real-world.’

That was why these kinds of incidents were so prevalent.

*Vibrate!*

The phone, which had been disconnected, rang again at that moment.

“Yes, Chief.”

— Prosecutor. I just had my subordinates check. You said her name was Le Thi Hanh, right? A Vietnamese national.

“That’s correct.”

— Hmm… we might actually be able to catch her.

“!”

My eyes widened.

“Is there actually a warrant out for her?”

— Not exactly a warrant, but quite a few missing persons reports have already been filed. It seems she refused to give consent, so no location data was provided.

A sigh of frustration escaped my lips.

In the case of an adult runaway, if the person themselves refuses, providing their location is impossible.

“Are the reporters all different?”

— You get right to the heart of the matter. As expected of a prosecutor.

“That means…”

— Yes. Just as you suspected, they are all different.

“…That makes it even more likely to be a scam.”

Just as a prior criminal record can lead to aggravated punishment, multiple reports from similar victims naturally become important evidence to prove the suspected facts.

Moreover, so many similar reports suggested that her goal was not citizenship, but property or something else.

— We will check everything thoroughly and open an investigation into charges of fraud and violations of the Immigration Control Act.

“Thank you, Chief.”

— Don’t mention it. This is what I get paid for—protecting the rights and interests of the people.

Chief Han Seo-jin of the Goseong Police Station was certainly a rare type of leader these days.

— However, as you know, to process a case, a formal report must be filed first. That is the principle…

“Ah… I will explain that part well and have the victim visit the station.”

— Don’t bother with that. I’ll send some of my staff out to the scene. I’ll send plainclothes investigators, of course.

This was the benefit of working with people who knew how things worked. Since I seemed to hesitate slightly, he quickly caught on and showed such consideration.

“Thank you for looking out for me in so many ways, Chief.”

— It’s nothing. We’re close, aren’t we? Besides, aren’t you the one who saved my life, Prosecutor?

Then, Chief Han Seo-jin tentatively added a follow-up.

— Prosecutor. It’s not exactly a trade-off, but since we’re on the phone, how about a drink tomorrow? Not being able to drink that wild grape wine back then has stayed with me as a deep regret.

“I’d love that. Then, since you’re coming anyway, why don’t you join us for breakfast tomorrow morning? I noticed before that your place is quite close by.”

— Can I really do that?

“Of course you can.”

— Well, it would be a bit much just to get a free meal… Should I help out with some farm work while I’m there?

Oh?

“Are you serious?”

— Of course.

That was a refreshing answer.

But I have a feeling you’ll regret those words.

—

“Phew…”

Before entering the shop, I took a light breath. I had to give a rough explanation before the investigators arrived.

To be honest, this was the hardest part. It would be much easier if I were just catching and punishing villains.

‘I have to empathize with the victim’s heart and ensure proper follow-up measures are taken.’

I believed that was also an important mission for a prosecutor.

Of course, most prosecutors would probably scoff at such a notion.

“Uncle Minsik!”

“Huh? Seojun, you’re here already?”

“Yes. The police will be visiting your house later.”

“Uh… the police…?”

“Don’t worry. They said they’ll be coming quietly in a private car and wearing plain clothes.”

Only then did Uncle Minsik’s expression relax completely.

“You’ve gone to a lot of trouble for me.”

“It’s nothing. But Uncle.”

“Yeah?”

“Do you happen to have any children?”

“…You really went straight for the sore spot, didn’t you?”

Uncle Minsik let out a sigh. For me, however, that was a very positive reaction.

“I got married late, so I tried a fair bit at first. But a child just wouldn’t come. Later on, my wife didn’t like intimacy, so I couldn’t even try.”

“I see.”

“Well, what can I do? I’ll just have to live without kids. Now that I’ve lived it, I’ve realized that just the two of us living together simply like this is also nice.”

“…Uncle.”

Indeed, I had to say it now. Keeping it hidden wasn’t the only solution. It was better for me to explain it than the investigators.

“Your wife. I heard she has a long history of being reported missing to the police.”

“…Huh?”

As expected, Uncle Minsik was flustered.

“What are you talking about? I’ve never once reported her to the police.”

“Not you, Uncle. Apparently, the reporters are all different people.”

“…”

A heavy silence fell instantly. Uncle likely knew better than anyone what my words implied.

“…Is that so.”

However, Uncle Minsik didn’t react as strongly as I expected.

“Actually, I suspected it.”

“What? You were expecting it?”

“How could I not know? She’d recoil like she was having a fit even if I just tried to hold her hand. A while back, I even saw her walking around downtown with some young guy.”

“Wait. You saw that and just let it be?”

“It would be like spitting on my own face. It was too embarrassing.”

Just how big of a man was this uncle?

“…I know some lovely, middle-aged women who aren’t married yet. Should I introduce you?”

“Stop it. That would be even more embarrassing.”

“Then, would you like to have a drink together today? I’ll secretly steal some good liquor from my father’s treasure hoard. Something expensive!”

“Oh, just go. I need to sort out my thoughts alone.”

A bitter smile formed on my lips.

“Then, I’ll tell the police to visit after you’ve had enough time to process your emotions.”

I eventually turned around. Any more would be unwelcome meddling rather than consideration.

But at that moment.

“Seojun.”

“…Yes?”

“Thanks.”

“…”

I purposefully didn’t look back. There was a slight hint of moisture in his voice.

“…I’m the one who should be thankful.”

—

The next morning at dawn.

*Rumble rumble rumble!*

When I appeared driving a large tractor with a thunderous roar…

“Wh-what is it?”

“Is it an earthquake?”

“Emergency! Emergency!”

The guests poured out of the house even though it was the crack of dawn.

“Wow… that vehicle is huge.”

“That’s a tractor, right? The thing they use to plow fields instead of oxen.”

“I’ve seen them from a distance, but this is the first time seeing one up close. It’s even bigger than I thought.”

The Seoulites were surprised without exception. When I turned off the engine and climbed down, everyone’s eyes were fixed on me.

“But, to drive a piece of agricultural machinery like this, don’t you need more than just a regular driver’s license?”

Min Haru asked with a puzzled expression.

“Well, I am a farmer’s son. I picked up a construction machinery operator’s license as a hobby.”

“Amazing…”

Once again, everyone burst into exclamations of admiration.

“There really is nothing you can’t do.”

“You’re incredible, Prosecutor. I think I’ve seen many all-around entertainers, but I’ve never seen anyone like you.”

“I respect you, Brother.”

“You’re truly the best.”

I felt it every time, but the members of Re-Vive had great reactions.

However, unlike them…

‘Did I make a mistake…?’

Only Chief Han Seo-jin, who had just arrived in front of the house, had a slightly different reaction. He probably hadn’t expected to be doing such serious work.

“I think I arrived much earlier than expected. My apologies!”

“Huh? No, not at all. You arrived exactly on time, Chief.”

“Well, I’ll be going now…”

*Grab!*

I quickly snatched Chief Han Seo-jin.

“They say the food you eat after working is the most delicious.”

“Now that I think about it, I don’t think I need to taste that deliciousness.”

“You even collapse on the street sometimes; you need to get some exercise regularly.”

“I have to go to work in a few hours, Prosecutor.”

“Congratulations. Your day is going to be very refreshing.”

“…You’re a relentless man.”

I’d heard that somewhere before.

Anyway, that included Chief Han Seo-jin, who was neatly dressed in comfortable work clothes.

Interestingly, he wasn’t particularly surprised despite being surrounded by handsome men and beautiful women he usually only saw on TV.

“That person over there is Sin Hye-seo, right?”

“Aren’t you curious why she’s here?”

Chief Han Seo-jin shook his head without a moment’s hesitation.

“I’m not curious. And I don’t want to hear it either.”

“Really?”

“Isn’t it basically that she trusts and relies on you, Prosecutor? The police and the prosecution must be frantic trying to find her right about now.”

I nodded slowly.

“May I ask you to maintain confidentiality?”

“Pretend I didn’t hear it if I heard it, pretend I didn’t see it if I saw it, and don’t get meddling in other people’s business for no reason. That’s always been my philosophy.”

Of course, I trusted Chief Han Seo-jin. It wasn’t an emotional decision, but a rational one. Even as a fellow police officer, jurisdictional boundaries were clear.

There was no reason for him to get involved in a case from another jurisdiction—especially one with no practical benefit.

To put it bluntly, if he were to arrest Sin Hye-seo and investigate her in this atmosphere, would the police be praised for doing a good job? They would likely just get criticized for over-investigating again.

“Now then. Before we eat, shall we get down to work?”

—

Meanwhile, at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office.

“…”

Seo Yi-re finally understood what it felt like when the world starts to turn yellow…

“…Ah.”

She finally felt it today.

“Pro-Prosecutor…”

The investigator muttered in a trembling voice. His gaze was fixed on the suspect who had collapsed with foam at her mouth.

In other words, the mistress of the late Lee Ji-hoon.

“An Yu-ra… she isn’t breathing.”