章 103: Chapter 103: The Pressure of the Cheongpung Group
Is there a shadowy figure pulling the strings in Myeong-dong and Korea's underworld?]
Although no names were mentioned, the article clearly targeted me.
They framed the bloody incident in Busan to make it seem like I was using gangsters to seize control of the domestic loan market, pinning the blame squarely on me.
"Choi Seok-hyun, the editor-in-chief, must be a member of the Cheongpung Group."
That was my grandfather's comment after reading the article.
"They're going to come at you hard now. What's your plan?"
"Even though the article is quite specific, it doesn't directly name me. For now, I'm not going to respond."
Grandfather looked at me, slightly surprised.
"There's no need to rush and make it look like I'm guilty. But since they've drawn attention to me, I'll use Goryeo Daily to leak some information about the Cheongpung Group."
"There are probably a lot of Cheongpung Group connections at Goryeo Daily. I'm not sure if they'll publish the story the way you want."
Goryeo Daily, Dongseong Daily, and Jungshim Daily—these three newspapers had such high circulation numbers that they dwarfed the other seven top newspapers combined.
"If we're going to win public opinion, we need Goryeo Daily on our side."
In this pre-internet era, the power of newspapers couldn't be ignored.
The negative public sentiment surrounding the Jungwoo Group was largely thanks to the newspapers' influence.
There might come a time when portals and social media dominate news distribution, but for now, no medium rivals the impact of newspapers.
"Whether it's through favors, threats, or bribes, I'll make sure Goryeo Daily runs the article."
"Put pressure on the companies that advertise with them. Even if Cheongpung's people have their claws in Goryeo Daily, their main source of revenue is still advertising."
"I'll look into it."
Grandfather, who had been watching me with a worried expression, finally nodded.
"Is your grandmother adjusting well to life in Seoul? This is the safest place, but I heard you rented a separate house for her."
Due to the recent car accident and other incidents in Busan, I had to rush my grandmother to Seoul.
I wanted her to live with me in Pyeongchang-dong, but she insisted on staying in a separate house nearby.
"She's feeling down since she was used to living a quiet life with familiar people. But for her safety, there's no other choice. Once things settle down, I'll take her back to Busan."
As I left the study, I spoke to Chief Ha, who bowed as I approached.
"Chief, my grandfather's health seems to be getting worse. Please keep a close eye on him."
"Yes, young master."
Both my grandfather and grandmother were visibly declining day by day.
It worried me, but seeing Chief Ha's reliable response made me smile.
If only everything went as planned.
The Cheongpung Group was using its influence to keep churning out articles about me.
"There's a woman named Go Mi-ju, the granddaughter of Chairman Go of Goryeo Daily. I've heard rumors that she's into drugs. Get me some evidence—photos, videos, anything."
I vaguely remembered hearing rumors about Go Mi-ju. She'd been caught in a raid once but had somehow walked out of the police station without a scratch.
It would be great if I could just buy out the media, but for now, I had to use what leverage I could to get them on my side.
"She's mostly seen at nightclubs or hotels in Gangnam. If we get help from the Dong-soo faction, gathering evidence should be easy."
Even though I was doing everything I could, the pressure from the Cheongpung Group kept increasing.
'I didn't expect them to move this aggressively.'
A few days later, the Cheongpung Group took things up a notch by involving the prosecutors.
"Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok?"
Someone called my name from behind. Before I could turn around, my bodyguards appeared.
The person who had called me froze in fear.
Manager Ma stepped forward and asked,
"Who are you?"
"We're from the Seoul District Prosecutors' Office."
Seoul District Prosecutors' Office, huh.
The current prosecutors were divided into two factions.
One was led by President Yoon, the other by Seoul District Chief Prosecutor Bae Beom-gyu.
"What's this about?"
"We'd like you to come with us to the Prosecutors' Office."
"Do you have a warrant?"
"No. But it would be in both our interests if you cooperated."
Manager Ma looked at me, waiting for my decision.
I directly asked the man in front of me.
"What's the charge?"
I was curious to see what they were trying to pin on me.
"We received a tip linking you to the disappearance of Shin Seong-il."
"Shin Seong-il… What does that have to do with me?"
"This is a voluntary request for now. But soon, we'll come back with an arrest warrant. If there's nothing to hide, you should come with us."
Voluntary questioning followed by an emergency arrest. It was a common tactic for prosecutors.
'What should I do?'
I already knew that Bae Beom-gyu, the head of the Seoul District Prosecutors' Office, was aligned with the Cheongpung Group.
The whole office was filled with his people, making it hard for President Yoon's influence to reach them.
After a brief moment of thought, I nodded.
"Alright, let's go."
I could refuse, but that would just give them an excuse to escalate things.
Besides, I was confident I would walk out without any issues.
The prosecutors moved toward me, clearly eager to take me in.
"We'll follow separately. Don't come too close."
Manager Ma's cold voice stopped them in their tracks, and they took a step back, unsure of how to proceed.
It seemed like they weren't used to this kind of treatment, and they glanced nervously at their superior.
"Don't worry, we'll follow you. Manager, let's head out."
"Understood."
The prosecutor's car moved first, and our vehicle followed, heading toward the Seoul District Prosecutors' Office.
As soon as I got in the car, I made a phone call.
"Father, it's Mu-hyeok. I'm on my way to the Seoul District Prosecutors' Office. Could you send some people over?"
Seoul District Prosecutors' Office? I'll come myself.
Yoon Hyung-min didn't ask any questions and immediately said he'd come.
"It'll take about 30 minutes."
Got it.
Next, I called Chief Justice Oh Jeong-seok.
"Chief Justice, this is Kim Mu-hyeok. I'm heading to theSeoul District Prosecutors' Office. They'll probably try to issue an arrest warrant as soon as I arrive."
Their plan was obvious: bring me in for voluntary questioning, and if they couldn't get a warrant within six hours, they'd use emergency arrest procedures and apply for both an arrest and detention warrant.
I'll look into it.
"Please keep an eye on things. I won't forget it."
Ha! Lately, thanks to you, my door's been worn down with visitors.
Chief Justice Oh had played a big role in the acquisition of Jungwoo. He was the one who approved Park Dae-ho's arrest warrant at the start.
I had handed many things over to him as promised.
"I'll come to see you once this is over."
Lastly, I called President Yoon.
"President, it's Mu-hyeok."
I saw the article. Are you alright?
"I'm fine. I've taken a hit, but it's time to hit back. I'm on my way to the Seoul District Prosecutors' Office now."
What?
President Yoon's voice rose in surprise.
"It's just voluntary questioning. I figured it's better to go along with it than give them a reason to escalate."
Even so…
"If I refused, they'd have summoned me. And if I ignored that, they'd be after an arrest warrant."
I calmly explained that there was no need to worry about a warrant being issued.
"For now, Chief Justice Oh's influence will protect me. But we can't rule out the possibility that the Cheongpung Group has pulled some strings with the court."
Hmm…
"The Seoul District Prosecutor's Office is full of Bae Beom-gyu's people. You and the chief prosecutor don't get along, right? Maybe it's time to make a move."
The Cheongpung Group still has deep roots in the Prosecutors' Office, it seems.
President Yoon's voice sounded grim.
During the last administration, I only became Prosecutor General because the former president didn't get along with the Cheongpung Group. You know that, right? Of course, Chairman Cheon's support was the biggest factor.
"Then it's time to send in the audit team. While preparing for this, the Seoul District Prosecutors' Office has probably been digging up dirt on you as well. They know about our relationship."
Alright. Anything else you need from me?
"It would be great if you could stop by. Oh, and bring Hyeon-woo with you."
Haha!
I could hear President Yoon's hearty laughter over the phone.
You're planning to make a statement, huh?
As expected of a man who had risen to the top, he understood immediately.
We'll make sure they know who they're dealing with.
With just three calls, everything was set in motion.
If all else failed, I'd bring in Han Gyeong-yeong and Eva to show them what I was really capable of.
As I ended the call, the Seoul District Prosecutors' Office came into view.
"Have the security team wait in the parking lot."
"Understood."
It was already past 1 PM by the time we arrived.
They couldn't hold me for more than six hours without a warrant. Their goal was to get one before that time ran out.
If they failed, they'd resort to emergency arrest, but that would cause them problems as well.
I sat in the interrogation room, waiting for Yoon Hyung-min to arrive, deep in thought.
Soon, the door opened, and a young prosecutor walked in.
It seemed they were trying to intimidate me by sending a rookie, just like I had done with Chairman Park Dae-ho.
It was so obvious that I couldn't help but chuckle.
"Name?"
Without even introducing himself, the prosecutor sat down and immediately asked.
"Take it easy, Prosecutor. We can start once my lawyer arrives."
"Name?"
How frustrating.
I crossed my arms, leaned back in the chair, and closed my eyes.
"Name?"
When I didn't respond, he slammed the desk and shouted.
"Hey, Kim Mu-hyeok! You think this is our house?"
Is it really worth wasting energy on this?
I slowly opened my eyes and spoke.
"Tell me, Prosecutor. Am I here as a suspect or a witness?"
"If you're in this room, you're a suspect."
He was clearly full of himself. I didn't need to entertain this any longer.
Shaking my head, I looked toward the one-way mirror.
"I know you're watching. Stop playing games and send in someone competent. This is getting boring. If this keeps up, I'm leaving."
The prosecutor's face twisted in anger at my blatant disregard.
"What did you say? You little…!"
As the young prosecutor stood up in a rage, the door opened, and a middle-aged man walked in.
"Yi Pro, step out."
"But, sir!"
"That's enough. I'll take over from here."
The young prosecutor shot me a resentful look as he left.
I smiled at him as he walked out.
"Don't stray too far, Prosecutor."
"Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok, let's stop here. Tis is the Prosecutors' Office."
The younger prosecutor didn't leave the room but stood by the door, fuming.
The senior prosecutor ignored him and sat down.
"I'm Ha Seok-jin, head of the 3rd Criminal Division. Do you know Shin Seong-il, the CEO?"
"Yes, I do. He ran a loan shark business in Myeong-dong. I've met him a few times."
"A few times? Come on now, wasn't he one of the four bosses operating under Cheon Tae-san in Myeong-dong? Didyou inherit his business?"
He was trying to provoke me, acting like it was all common knowledge, hoping I'd slip up.
I shrugged and didn't respond, so he continued.
"Shin Seong-il is missing. Did you know?"
"Yes."
"The day he disappeared, there was a brawl between the Dong-soo and Baekho factions in Myeong-dong. Only the pawns were arrested. It's too much of a coincidence, don't you think?"
They didn't have any solid evidence.
The whole point of this was to get me to incriminate myself.
But I had never left any trace they could use against me.
"I heard about it, yes."
My calm response seemed to frustrate him, and he glanced over at the young prosecutor, still standing by the door.
"You're still here? Did you not hear me?"
"Sorry, I'm leaving now."
An old tactic.
Since he couldn't take his anger out on me, he scolded the younger prosecutor to set the tone.
Of course, I didn't even blink.
The young prosecutor bowed slightly, then left the room.
But before the door could fully close, it swung open again as Yoon Hyung-min and a group of lawyers entered.
"Oh, Prosecutor Ha. You're in charge of this case?"
Yoon Hyung-min, head of Yun & Jang, had come in person.
Prosecutor Ha stood up and greeted him.
"Good to see you, Representative Yoon."
"Likewise. But this is supposed to be voluntary questioning, isn't it? Why are we in an interrogation room? Unless the law has changed and I didn't get the memo? Did any of you know?"
He turned to the team of lawyers behind him, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
I couldn't help but smile at the way Yoon Hyung-min handled the situation.
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