#73 Let's take Gangnam.
Proceed.
I finished all my business in America and returned to Korea. As soon as I arrived, I headed to Seocho District to meet Chief Prosecutor Yoon for the first time in a while.
“It has been a long time, Chief Prosecutor.”
I had arrived earlier than our scheduled time, but Chief Prosecutor Yoon was already seated.
“Junior, welcome. It’s been a while.”
Chief Prosecutor Yoon greeted me warmly. I sat down and offered him some words of blessing.
“The rumor that you will become the Prosecutor General next year is spreading like wildfire in the political world. Congratulations in advance.”
“Hahaha. Thank you.”
The current Prosecutor General’s term had much time left, but despite his pro-president leanings, he had no real achievements to his name. He took orders from the Blue House, and that was it.
And yet, he persistently kept Chief Prosecutor Yoon in check, but because of the major cases Yoon had solved at the Seoul District Prosecutors' Office, there was already not enough justification to oust him.
“You must be getting a lot of calls from the political world, too?”
“Hahaha. The ruling party, the opposition party, it doesn’t matter. They’re all poking me in the ribs. I might get the wrong idea.”
“Don’t be swayed. You can reach the pinnacle of the prosecution and then enter politics. I will provide you with ample political funds, so just focus on managing your image with fortitude.”
He seemed slightly shaken, an excited expression appearing on his face at my words.
“Are you telling me to go into politics after I retire?”
“Of course. With the public’s support right now, you’ll win no matter where you run. After you become Prosecutor General, a highway to Yeouido will open up for you.”
Chief Prosecutor Yoon’s face bloomed into a bright smile, as if just the thought of it pleased him.
“I understand.”
As the meal was nearing its end, I brought up the reason for our meeting today.
“When do you think the rectifying of history will be finished? The two former presidents are the final targets, aren't they?”
Chief Prosecutor Yoon put down the spoon he was holding with a look of surprise.
“How do you know that? It’s a secret investigation.”
“Hahaha. As if you don’t know.”
In the end, the rectifying of history culminated in the arrest of two former presidents. The Blue Wind Association would be weakened by the current president's constant checks, but with Japan's support during the foreign exchange crisis, they would become even more powerful than before.
I had to take over Gangnam while the Blue Wind Association was weakened by this affair. If I missed this chance, a lot of blood would have to be shed.
“That prosecutor who investigated the slot machine incident back then, is he still at the Jeju District Prosecutors' Office?”
“Who? Ah, that blockhead?”
“Yes. Does he still insist on remaining a prosecutor?”
“He has a great lingering attachment to being a prosecutor. Though it seems like he’s slowly growing weary of it all. Even after I told him I’d move him up to the Central Investigation Department at the Public Prosecutor's Office next year.”
“Don’t do that. Please move him up to the Violent Crimes Department at the Seoul District Prosecutors' Office. Let’s take this opportunity to clean up all the Gangnam gangsters.”
Chief Prosecutor Yoon choked on the cinnamon punch he was drinking and coughed several times.
“What? Gangnam? That’s difficult. Those bastards have so many connections to the political world, the pressure will be no joke. They’re the ones who survived the War on Crime. It's even harder because they've disguised themselves as legitimate corporations.”
“The moment the two former presidents are arrested, the politicians will lay low. We can just round them all up under Article 4 of the Punishment of Violent Acts Act.”
“Hmm…”
After pondering for a moment, Chief Prosecutor Yoon asked in a worried tone.
“There’s not enough evidence to arrest them as a criminal organization. No matter if the entire Violent Crimes Department goes after them, they aren’t some flimsy gang, but three nationwide organizations. In the end, won’t they just try to cut their losses?”
“We will create the justification for you. In return, please let our people off with light sentences.”
I explained the plan I had come up with. Chief Prosecutor Yoon, who was listening, modified my plan on the spot, as if to prove he hadn't spent all his years as a prosecutor in vain.
“Good. This should be enough. I should send that friend back to the field on this occasion. He’ll like that.”
“D-Day is the day the two former presidents are arrested. When everyone’s attention is on that, Park Dong-soo will launch a surprise attack. You just need to be ready and arrest them all.”
“A knife fight in the middle of Gangnam… It’s going to be noisy.”
Chief Prosecutor Yoon spoke as if he were worried, but the corners of his mouth were turned up. After all, if he wasn't happy about catching the heads of nationwide gangs with his own hands, he wouldn't have any ambition. After finishing the meal, I got back into Section Chief Ma’s car.
“Please take me to Geukseong Construction.”
After a long drive, we arrived at Geukseong Construction. An employee guided me to the boss's office.
“Welcome, Boss.”
Park Dong-soo was nowhere to be seen; only Lee Sang-geun was there, buried in a pile of documents.
“Where is Boss Park?”
“He will be here soon. He usually works near the construction sites.”
I heard he had entered Daechi District without a fight and had begun to lay the foundation. The atmosphere was such that Geukseong Construction was completely entrusted to Lee Sang-geun. When I took the seat of honor, Lee Sang-geun also sat down next to me.
“You must be busy.”
“It’s fun.”
“The orphanage isn’t lacking support, is it?”
“Thanks to you, Boss, we are operating without any shortages.”
After Lee Sang-geun had completely become Park Dong-soo’s man, I had been properly supporting the orphanage he came from. It was a very small price to pay to win one man's heart. Just then, the door to the boss's office opened and Park Dong-soo came in.
“Hey, Little brother!”
Park Dong-soo came in with a smile and sat down across from Lee Sang-geun.
“You should’ve called before you came. I’m late.”
“How is Daechi District?”
“There’s nothing for thugs like us to do there.”
“That’s to be expected. It’s a bridgehead for entering Gangnam, so just get ready.”
“An all-out war with Gangnam is disadvantageous for us. We could maybe handle the Baek-ho faction alone, but if we have to fight the New Gangnam faction and the Honam PK faction as well, we’ll all die.”
No matter how much of Busan and the southwestern regions of Seoul, including Yeongdeungpo, Park Dong-soo had taken, he couldn't take on all of Gangnam. Not without the prosecution's help, that is.
“If you, Boss, divide your men and raid their core businesses, the prosecution will storm in at the same time.”
“What? Then won’t our men get caught too?”
“Except for a few who will take the fall, they will be released from the police station. If the problem gets bigger, have someone ready to take responsibility. What was the name of the brother in charge of Busan?”
“Who? Su-hyeong?”
“Yes. Put him forward as the one in charge.”
At my words, Park Dong-soo’s smiling face hardened in an instant.
“Su-hyeong is like a real brother to me. How can you tell me to use him as a bullet shield?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure he gets the lightest possible sentence. The other side will be tied up as a criminal organization under Article 4 of the Punishment of Violent Acts Act, with a minimum of five years.”
“Still…”
“Boss Park, this is about taking Gangnam. Not one district, but the whole thing. How can we get things done if we aren't willing to endure that much damage?”
“Huu…”
Park Dong-soo, looking frustrated, loosened the necktie he wore like an office worker.
“Make sure he gets the shortest sentence possible. Got it?”
“Yes. It’s just a precaution in case things get bigger. Do you think a knife fight between gangsters in the middle of Gangnam will end quietly?”
No matter how much influence Chief Prosecutor Yoon and I exerted, we couldn't block the eyes of all the media and the public. Not only the Gangnam organizations, but a big shot from Park Dong-soo’s side had to be taken in as well. Yang Su-hyeong, who managed Busan, would be a story the media would love.
They could push the provocative headline of a gang war between Busan and Seoul.
“There’s still a lot of time left, so make sure to clean up the area around Yeongdeungpo. I’ll let you know when the date is set.”
“Got it. Want to have a drink today?”
“I just got back from America today. I’m tired. Let’s drink next time.”
Leaving a disappointed Park Dong-soo behind, I left Geukseong Construction. I felt like I was going to die, having been on the move without rest since returning from America. When I arrived at the house in Pyeongchang District, Cheon Ji-young was talking with Grandfather in the living room.
“I’m home.”
“Why are you so busy the moment you arrive?”
I smiled and replied to Grandfather’s chiding.
“Haha, I know.”
“Oppa!”
“Ji-young, you’re here?”
“Yeah, I was worried Grandfather would be lonely without you, so I’ve been coming for the past few days.”
“Thank you. Come by often.”
“Okay!”
Cheon Ji-young was gradually returning to her old, lively self.
“I’m going to go up and rest now.”
“Alright, let’s talk tomorrow.”
“Yes. Ji-young, I’ll see you next time.”
I said my goodbyes and went up to the second floor.
“You should rest too, Section Chief. You worked hard. Please prepare for the PMC’s establishment slowly.”
Section Chief Ma, who had waited until I entered my room, bowed his head and then disappeared. Only when I was alone could I finally relax and rest. For a while, I spent my time focusing on recovering the bonds Grandfather held.
Time flew by, and on November 1st, for the first time in constitutional history, a former president was arrested. History had not changed. The Blue Wind Association must have also been preparing to create a new political party for the 1996 general election.
They must have judged that there was little room to exert their power within the party currently controlled by the president, and were working hard to gather the forces of the Fifth and Sixth Republics. However, due to the opposition party’s exposure of a secret slush fund, the former president was ultimately arrested.
The Blue Wind Association mobilized all its power to launch a rescue campaign. But the May 18 Special Act passed the National Assembly, and it even led to a situation where they stormed the private residence of the former president to execute the arrest warrant.
I told Park Dong-soo to finish all preparations and be on standby. — He’s made his move. You can make your move too. After receiving the call from Chief Prosecutor Yoon, I immediately gave Park Dong-soo his orders.
“Let's take Gangnam. Proceed.” — Okay.
Park Dong-soo mobilized his men to simultaneously raid the main businesses of the Gangnam gangs. It was a large-scale war, mobilizing everyone in Busan and all his subordinates in Yeongdeungpo. As dawn passed and the morning sun began to rise, I received a call from Park Dong-soo. — They’ve all been caught.
“You’ve worked hard. Wait at Geukseong Construction, and when I call, have Yang Su-hyeong turn himself in.” — Got it.
A short while after my call with Park Dong-soo ended, I received a call from Chief Prosecutor Yoon. — We’ve arrested all the bosses. We need to properly tie them up as a criminal organization. Things will be quiet today because of the president's arrest.
We’ll leak it to the media, so tell Park Dong-soo's underboss to prepare to turn himself in too.
“I’ve already given him a heads-up. You’ve worked hard. How’s that prosecutor?” — Hahaha.
It’s his world. He’s a guy who finds the field the most fun.
It’s perfect.
The next day. Because of the unprecedented event of a former president’s arrest and imprisonment, none of the daily papers or news outlets could report on the incident in Gangnam. However, Chief Prosecutor Yoon used all his power to leak his achievements to the news and the papers.
The news of the arrest of a gangster big shot who had even evaded the War on Crime was enough to capture the public’s attention. The public was shocked by the fact that a massive brawl with dozens of injured had taken place in Seoul, and in the middle of Gangnam at that.
The president demanded a strict enforcement of the law, and as if in response, Chief Prosecutor Yoon rounded up all the Gangnam gang bosses as a criminal organization and had them arrested and prosecuted. Of course, Park Dong-soo was not without his own damages.
A few captains, including Yang Su-hyeong, were arrested, and several organization members were also taken into custody. It was an unavoidable choice, as this was an operation to get all of Gangnam in his grasp. Park Dong-soo mobilized all his remaining forces to deal with the remaining factions in Gangnam and took over all their businesses.
The Blue Wind Association wouldn't be able to move right away anyway. It was a choice born from conviction.
“Mu-hyeok attacked Gangnam?”
“Yes, Chairman.”
Chairman Cheon, who had been thinking about something with his eyes closed for a long time, rose from his seat.
“Myeong-hun, I suppose I must go out for the first time in a while. Contact Yong-hyun. Tell him I’m coming to see him.”
“Yes.”
With only Manager Ha as his attendant, Chairman Cheon did not say a single word until he reached his destination. Presently, the car carrying Chairman Cheon arrived at Lee Yong-hyun’s mansion in Paju, Gyeonggi Province.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been here, too.”
Chairman Cheon muttered as if to himself and got out of the car. At first glance, the mansion looked like an old-fashioned hanok. But in reality, the windows were made of glass, not paper, the floors were covered with tatami mats, and the hallways had glass-paned doors, all in the Japanese style.
In the courtyard, an old man with white hair and sharp features was waiting to greet Chairman Cheon. He was the master of the Blue Wind Association, Lee Yong-hyun.
“Chairman Cheon. It’s been a while.”
“Yong-hyun, you’ve gotten quite old yourself.”
The two men conversed like old friends.
< Let's take Gangnam. Proceed. > End