novelraw Chapter 45
Chapter 45
Nam Jae-heon, who would usually go to work at Daehan Construction, headed to Daehan Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering these days.
Having come to work early in the morning, he had already received dozens of contacts.
The secretary cautiously entered the office.
“Is the Media Response Team all gathered now?”
“Yes, President. The Strategic Planning Office Manager and the Legal Team Leader are also on standby.”
Nam Jae-heon slowly stood up from his seat while buttoning his jacket.
Then he headed to the conference room.
There, the Media Response Team Leader, the Strategic Planning Office Manager, the Legal Team Leader, and even the person in charge of the PR agency were already present.
As soon as Nam Jae-heon entered, he spoke point-blank.
“Fact-checking is not necessary, so just remember these three sentences: we don't know, it hasn't been confirmed, it was distorted.”It was exactly as everyone expected.
The person from the PR agency nodded and presented a response plan.
“Regarding the recently reported allegations of rebates and the report on the suspension of internal audits, our company was completely unaware of the related facts, and the content of said report is different from the truth. We are currently identifying the facts internally and are considering legal action against the media outlets that defamed us.”
Nam Jae-heon snorted after reading the draft.
It was just as he wanted.
“We must seize the initiative before the political circles move.
It's fine to even counterattack by saying the media reported with impure intentions.
And immediately sue that bastard Kim Jongseok and the media outlet he used for defamation.
Use threats or whatever it takes.”
That afternoon, Daehan Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering distributed an official press release.
The legal team filed complaints against Kim Jongseok and two media outlets for ‘spreading false information and defamation.’
However, contrary to their expectations, public opinion did not subside.
Instead, it burned even more fiercely.
***
HJ Partners headquarters.
Recently, after I, Lim Hyunjun, finished school, I headed to the office.
It was because there were many things I had to personally attend to lately.
Among them was the matter concerning Kim Jongseok.
While I was working, Choi Seo-jun entered the office.
“Representative.”
I stopped my hands, which were typing diligently, and raised my head.
“You’ve come?”
“Yes, the movements on the side of Daehan Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering are unusual.”
Choi Seo-jun continued speaking while looking at me.
“They are mobilizing the PR office, the legal team, and even external law firms to pressure the media and former Center Manager Kim Jongseok. These guys are very vicious.”
I only nodded, as if I had expected this.
“This morning, there were media outlets that took down their articles.
Their advertiser was Daehan Group.”
“…Hmm. How is Mr. Kim Jongseok?”
To my question, Choi Seo-jun answered calmly.
“He has now entered informant protection measures. It is said that the media side has assigned separate security. However, Daehan Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering has sued former Center Manager Kim Jongseok for defamation. It seems they intend to frame him as a spreader of false information.”
“As expected, that is how they are coming out. It would be better for us to pay more attention to the security personnel.”
“Yes, I will take measures accordingly.”
I kept my head down and was lost in thought for a moment.
I even lightly tapped the glass surface of the desk with my fingertips.
“Did they not contact him directly?”
“To my knowledge, there hasn't been any yet.”
I narrowed my eyes.
“They won't stop with just one article.”
“Yes, seeing how things are going, they were even doing background checks on reporters from the media outlets. Team Leader Lim Do-hyun also said that an unfamiliar vehicle has been parked in front of his house lately.”
A brief silence flowed, and Choi Seo-jun carefully continued speaking.
“Representative. It seems President Nam Jae-heon intends to make sure no flaws touch him at all. He is pushing all responsibility onto Choi Dong-ryeol.”
“He likely will.”
Choi Seo-jun, unlike usual, revealed his emotions clearly as he continued.
“On top of that, he is reaching out to political circles.
There is also word that several places received contacts from the ruling party's Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy committee secretary requesting to refrain from reporting under the guise of damage to the company's reputation.”
I turned my gaze toward the ceiling without a word.
Then I suddenly burst into a light laugh.
“Not a single thing is out of expectation. Rather, it worked out well. Hasn't it become easier for us to work?”
While Choi Seo-jun nodded, I stood up from my seat and walked to the window.
Before I knew it, the city lights were twinkling one by one.
“It is time for us to move now. Please arrange for Mr. Kim Jongseok to meet with the person I mentioned last time.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Choi Seo-jun bowed his head, gave a light greeting, and left the representative's office.
Even after the door closed, I stood looking out the window for a long time.
My gaze was one that no one could see as that of a student.
I was someone standing alone, enduring the darkness to light someone's path.
***
It was a day when a thin drizzle was scattering outside the window.
Upon entering the coffee shop decorated as a book cafe, the musty smell of books and the warm aroma of coffee were mingled.
Kim Jongseok was sitting in an inner seat, dressed comfortably with a hat pulled down low.
Soon the door opened and one person entered quietly.
It was a middle-aged man dressed in a shabby suit.
“Are you Center Manager Kim?”
The man with a voice that seemed low and sunken was Assemblyman Jeong Yu-chan.
Called a man of conviction in the opposition party, he had made a name for himself in the past as a civic group activist and a human rights lawyer.
Kim Jongseok stood up from his seat and greeted him warmly.
“Yes, I am Kim Jongseok. Thank you for coming out like this, Assemblyman.”
At Kim Jongseok's words, Jeong Yu-chan instead waved his hand.
“There is nothing to be thankful for. I'm the one who asked to meet, after all.”
He sat in the opposite seat and then calmly placed his gaze on Kim Jongseok.
“Even now, I cannot believe it. That someone who was in a high-ranking position like you decided to blow the whistle.”
Kim Jongseok laughed bitterly.
“To be honest, I regret it several times a day. But it's something someone has to do.”
Jeong Yu-chan nodded and took a document envelope out of his bag.
“Here is the legal response plan I constructed based on your testimony and existing data. And this is a list of reporters who can cooperate with the media union.”
Kim Jongseok received the documents as if surprised.
“I didn't know you would help to this extent.”
“Daehan Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering seemed to intend to harass you until the end. This is not an issue that can end as the problem of one person.”
Jeong Yu-chan added quietly with eyes shining.
“I am also considering requesting you as a witness for the national audit. Before that… this matter must be made public. You might be afraid, but do you intend to go to the end?”
At those words, Kim Jongseok closed his eyes and then opened them again.
It was the face of a person who had made some kind of decision.
“…I will go to the end. Thank you for helping, Assemblyman.”
Jeong Yu-chan held out his hand.
Kim Jongseok carefully took that hand.
It was only a short handshake, but clear will was contained within it.
Just before Jeong Yu-chan left his seat, he spoke one last thing to Kim Jongseok.
“And one more thing….”
He continued speaking in a low voice.
“You have quite an amazing backer. To be honest, if it were only by my own strength, I wouldn't have even come out to this spot today.”
Kim Jongseok made a surprised expression.
Jeong Yu-chan smiled faintly upon seeing that expression.
He left the book cafe quietly, leaving only those words behind.
The place full of coffee aroma was quiet again.
However, inside Kim Jongseok's heart, a spark that would not go out was gradually burning.
***
A day before, Assemblyman Jeong Yu-chan met with Kim Jongseok.
On the upper floors of a hotel in Gangnam, Seoul, there was a private suite.
The elevator was a place where access was impossible without a specific card, and the inside of the room was also thoroughly blocked from the outside.
Assemblyman Jeong Yu-chan cautiously entered the room he was guided to.
Inside the room, two men were waiting for him.
One was a familiar face that Assemblyman Jeong Yu-chan knew.
It was Representative Choi Seo-jun of HJ Partners.
And next to him stood a young man with an atmosphere that did not match his age.
Dressed in a slim grey suit with a neat shirt and a tie fastened without a hint of disarray, it was I, Lim Hyunjun.
I personally approached and bowed my head first in greeting.
“Assemblyman, you have come a long way. Thank you for coming out.”
Jeong Yu-chan frowned slightly.
He thought some unknown kid had come and was making a fuss.
Ignoring me, Jeong Yu-chan held out his hand to Choi Seo-jun.
However, Choi Seo-jun did not accept the handshake.
Instead, he immediately looked at the young man standing next to him and bowed his head.
“Assemblyman, this person is the actual owner of HJ Partners.”
Choi Seo-jun treated me, Lim Hyunjun, with formal courtesy, like a loyal secretary serving high-level management.
For a moment, the area between Jeong Yu-chan's eyebrows spasmed slightly.
“Yes?! What did you say?”
Choi Seo-jun nodded as if he were used to it.
“It is as I said. The person who moves HJ Partners is precisely this person. My holding the position of representative is merely an external position.”
Jeong Yu-chan looked at me again with a bewildered expression.
The opponent he had considered merely a young man until just a moment ago suddenly even seemed giant.
I bowed my head leisurely.
“I should have introduced myself like this first. My apologies. I am Lim Hyunjun.”
Only then did Jeong Yu-chan even bow from his waist and grab the hand I held out with both of his hands.
“Re-Representative Lim. I have been disrespectful. It is a pleasure to meet you.”
I smiled as if it were nothing.
“You don't need to worry about it. I do still look young, after all.”
Jeong Yu-chan sat down with a bitter smile.
He adjusted his posture to a much more serious attitude while touching his suit sleeves with his fingertips.
Choi Seo-jun quietly poured tea and placed it in front of me and Jeong Yu-chan.
Without even touching the cup, Jeong Yu-chan still looked at me blankly.
“But Representative Lim. What is the reason you called for me? I don't know the person called Kim Jongseok, and I have nothing entangled with Daehan Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering. Honestly, I don't even want to be close to that place.”
I gazed at Assemblyman Jeong without a hint of disarray.
In that gaze, Assemblyman Jeong knew for the first time what it felt like for one's knees to tremble.
“Assemblyman. The information that Center Manager Kim Jongseok has is only the beginning. The accounting manipulation and the use of lobbying funds that occurred at Daehan Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering are not simple revelations of corruption, but an incident that shakes the system.”
Jeong Yu-chan crossed his arms and frowned slightly.
It was in order not to have his trembling inner feelings discovered.
On top of that, no matter how great the other person was, he had a National Assembly member badge.
“So?”
“I am giving you the opportunity to recognize the impact of this incident in advance and respond preemptively, Assemblyman.”
At the remarkably bold words, Jeong Yu-chan deliberately snorted.
“This is absurd. No matter how great you are, I am a politician.”
I continued speaking with a low laugh.
“There isn't much I want.
You just need to help with the work Team Leader Kim Jongseok is doing.”
Jeong Yu-chan spared his words.
Touching Daehan Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering was also a matter of being at odds with Daehan Group.
It was not something that even a National Assembly member would easily agree to.
Because I knew that, it was also the reason I stepped forward personally to meet Jeong Yu-chan.
“This work is dangerous. But at the same time, it is an opportunity to leave your name in history. Are you satisfied with your current position, Assemblyman?”
At those words, Jeong Yu-chan was even more dumbfounded.
“…How insolent.”
“If you are a politician, isn't it natural to dream of presidential power at least once?
I am giving that opportunity to you first.
You wouldn't be unaware that opportunities do not come easily.
That is, if you are not a fool.”
Although he didn't show it on the outside, at the remarkably bold words, Jeong Yu-chan couldn't help but be impressed inwardly.
Meanwhile, I looked straight into the assemblyman's eyes and added the final words.
“Daehan Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering is a time bomb that will explode anyway. If so, there is no better opportunity than this for the one who preoccupies it first. Isn't it said that the political arena is like a game of Go? Depending on who makes the first move, the board is bound to flow accordingly. Grab the opportunity while it's being given.”