Chapter 18 – It seemed like everything was under control
“Everyone, stop what you’re doing and stand up immediately!”
Suddenly, dozens of people stormed into Samdo General Construction.
“If anyone touches the desks or documents, it will be considered an attempt to conceal evidence, and you will be arrested. We are commencing the search and seizure.”
They had come from the Central District Prosecutors’ Office.
Their target was everything related to Executive Director Lee Min-sik.
Executive Director Lee Min-sik was essentially running Samdo General Construction.
Since Samdo General Construction was in the process of being absorbed by Samdo General Trading, various important documents were being organized.
Some of these documents were not meant to be seen by outsiders.
“Where is Executive Director Lee Min-sik?”
The prosecutor from the Central District Prosecutors’ Office asked Lee Min-sik’s secretary.
“The Executive Director is currently out for an external appointment.”
“Don’t touch your phone. No contacting anyone.”
This was just the beginning.
***
“Is there still no progress? You’ve used all the money you could,” Executive Director Lee Min-ho of Samdo General Trading rebuked Lee Min-sik.
Lee Min-sik had no response.
“You haven’t forgotten that Samdo General Construction will soon be merged into Samdo General Trading, have you?”
The implication was clear: if he didn’t show results soon, there would be consequences.
“I am aware, Executive Director.”
“You know, yet you don’t seem worried.”
Lee Min-sik clenched his teeth.
He had heard that Lee Seon-su had returned to the country. Prosecutor Park Hoon had obtained a warrant and gone to arrest him. Initially, the warrant should not have been issued.
But with some maneuvering, they managed to get it approved.
However, it was said that the National Intelligence Service (NIS) had taken him.
“Since Lee Seon-su has returned, this will be resolved soon.”
Lee Min-sik had previously mentioned that if Lee Jeong-seok did not return from Singapore, they would target Lee Seon-su instead.
He had confirmed that Lee Jeong-seok’s family had left for Singapore.
“He returned?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“About three days ago.”
Executive Director Lee Min-ho tilted his head in suspicion.
Given Lee Min-sik’s personality, he would have shared any good news immediately.
But he was only mentioning it now.
“Tell me the truth. There’s a problem, isn’t there?”
“No, there isn’t.”
It was a lie.
He had no connections within the NIS. He had struggled to reach out through other channels but was told not to contact them.
He didn’t know why, but he felt that Lee Seon-su being held by the NIS might be an opportunity.
He planned to propose that Lee Seon-su hand over the gas business in exchange for being freed from the NIS.
It wouldn’t be easy, but it wasn’t impossible.
He had been trying to contact the NIS Director’s line.
“Is that really true?”
“Yes, it is.”
He didn’t blink an eye.
“Alright. I’ll trust you.”
Executive Director Lee Min-ho planned to verify the situation independently.
He didn’t fully trust Lee Min-sik.
But before he could act on that thought, an incident erupted.
“You can’t just go in there!”
The office door burst open.
The secretary tried to block the intruders, but there were too many of them.
Executive Director Lee Min-sik reacted first.
“What is this? Why are you barging in without permission?”
One of the people who entered pulled out a piece of paper instead of answering.
“This is a search and seizure warrant.”
Executive Director Lee Min-ho was taken aback.
“A search and seizure warrant?”
Samdo Group had connections within both the courts and the prosecution, and at quite a high level.
If a search and seizure warrant were issued for a Samdo Group affiliate, they would be informed without fail.
But they hadn’t received any notification, which was shocking.
“This is a joint investigation by the Central District Prosecutors’ Office and the National Tax Service.”
Executive Director Lee Min-ho’s eyes widened further.
It wasn’t just the prosecution—the National Tax Service was involved too.
This meant they were determined to bring them down.
In cases like this, companies typically faced massive fines.
Most couldn’t survive and would collapse.
Executive Director Lee Min-ho took a deep breath to calm his excitement.
“The Central District Prosecutors’ Office? On what grounds are you conducting a search and seizure?”
“For bribery, slush fund creation, and tax evasion.”
“Bribery? We would never do that. Why would we need to?”
A company like Samdo Group didn’t need to resort to bribery; people moved on their own.
Even if bribery were involved, they made sure not to get caught.
And even if they were caught, things never escalated to the point of a search and seizure warrant being executed.
“We have all the evidence. It appears that Prosecutor Park Hoon received money from Samdo General Trading.”
Executive Director Lee Min-ho looked at Lee Min-sik.
Lee Min-sik’s face had turned pale.
“We have call records and photographic evidence of Executive Director Lee Min-sik meeting with Prosecutor Park Hoon. Prosecutor Park Hoon is currently being questioned at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office.”
As the prosecutor explained, someone approached from behind and whispered in his ear.
The prosecutor looked at Lee Min-sik.
“Are you Executive Director Lee Min-sik?”
“…”
“It seems you are. You’ll need to come with us.”
“Why should I…?”
“For bribery and illegal provision of funds to Prosecutor Park Hoon. Take him away.”
The investigators attempted to place handcuffs on Lee Min-sik’s wrists.
“Let go of me. Do you know who I am? I’m part of the Samdo Group’s Royal Family! Royal family!”
The prosecutor shook his head.
“Isn’t the royal family made up of people? If you resist, we’ll add obstruction of justice to the charges.”
“You bastard! What’s your name?”
“Song Jun-su.”
“How dare a mere prosecutor… Call the head of the Central District Prosecutors’ Office!”
“You can make that call when you get to the Central District Prosecutors’ Office.”
“Let go! I said, let go!”
Lee Min-sik struggled to avoid being handcuffed.
But with three investigators holding him down, he had no choice.
Watching this, Executive Director Lee Min-ho spoke.
It seemed familiar.
“I thought I recognized you. It’s Chief Prosecutor Song Jun-su.”
“We just brushed past each other, yet you remember.”
Executive Director Lee Min-ho of Samdo General Trading recalled Song Jun-su’s reputation.
A rigid prosecutor.
Famous for not succumbing to external pressure.
He was even working as a chief prosecutor alongside junior colleagues.
Once a junior colleague became the deputy chief prosecutor, it was customary for him to retire.
Having a senior as a subordinate would disrupt the organization and hinder its proper functioning.
“If Prosecutor Song is handling the case, it means the chief prosecutor approved it.”
“I wouldn’t know. I’m just doing my job now that the case is in my hands.”
Chief Prosecutor Song Jun-su smiled faintly.
“It looks like you’ll need to come in for questioning as a witness soon, Executive Director Lee Min-ho.”
Executive Director Lee Min-ho thought he needed to find out where things had gone wrong.
“Understood.”
“Alright, proceed.”
The investigators began sweeping up all the documents.
There was no need to extend the search to the executive office.
They had already combed through other departments.
Executive Director Lee Min-ho picked up the phone.
“Connect me to the Group’s Strategic Planning Office.”
If any department could uncover why this was happening, it would be Samdo Group’s Strategic Planning Office.
***
“I believe I’ve shown enough sincerity.”
Director Kim Seong-woong of the National Intelligence Service spoke to Lee Seon-su.
“But the conclusion hasn’t been reached yet, has it?”
They were back in the NIS Director’s Office.
This time, they were there at Lee Seon-su’s polite request. Lawyer Kang Mu-song and Director Im Kang-min were also present.
“The conclusion is practically settled. Chief Prosecutor Song Jun-su is a rigid individual who stakes everything on the national interest.”
This was why the NIS had chosen Chief Prosecutor Song Jun-su.
Director Kim Seong-woong had personally met with him to explain the situation.
And Song Jun-su had insisted that he be allowed to take on the case.
“Prosecutor Park Hoon will resign, and it will end there. The media won’t know about it.”
They couldn’t allow the government and prosecution’s honour to be tarnished.
It was an agreement reached with the Minister of Justice and the Prosecutor General.
This was why the warrant had been issued so suddenly, catching Samdo Group off guard.
“Prosecutor Park Hoon isn’t my concern. You know that well.”
“I understand. We plan to ensure that Executive Director Lee Min-sik of Samdo General Construction receives only probation and stays away from your affairs.”
Frustrating.
They thought this would be over with just dealing with Lee Min-sik.
“Samdo General Trading will also be subjected to a tax investigation, so they won’t be able to meddle in your matters.”
This was possible because of the President’s firm resolve.
Sitting quietly next to Director Kim Seong-woong, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lee Han-se spoke up.
“Mr. Lee Seon-su, shall we start the negotiations now? Even if we start now, it will take months.”
That was Minister Lee Han-se’s estimate.
It could end sooner than he thought.
Russia would likely approve most of the conditions.
“The government intends to waive the interest on the 1.47 billion dollars if Russia guarantees that it won’t provide weapons or technology to North Korea.”
Waiving the interest was essentially the same as refusing the money.
If the principal amount didn’t increase, the borrower wouldn’t feel any burden.
Not just Russia, but anyone would feel that way.
“It sounds like you’re saying you won’t take the money.”
“We’re not refusing it. They can repay over 14 years. They could even make a lump-sum payment after 14 years.”
He felt like sighing.
It seemed as if they were giving up potential profits.
Still, they should at least secure as much benefit as South Korea had gained in the past.
Of course, I had to secure my profit as well.
“I don’t think that method will work.”
Minister Lee Han-se frowned.
He thought he had created terms favourable to Russia.
“Should we extend the period?”
“No. We need to recover the 1.47 billion dollars as quickly as possible.”
Minister Lee Han-se asked with a puzzled expression.
“Aren’t you representing Russia?”
“If you’re asking if I’m on Russia’s side, no. I’m a businessman.”
“A businessman?”
“My aim is for both sides to achieve maximum benefit. Why should we give up the 1.47 billion dollars for free? We need to get what we can from Russia.”
“Then what is your idea, Mr. Lee Seon-su? Russia doesn’t currently have the ability to pay. They owe about 100 billion dollars not just to us but also to the U.S. and Europe.”
“I know.”
“This is frustrating. Please share your thoughts, Mr. Lee Seon-su.”
“Does it have to be cash?”
“Then what would we take? Are you suggesting resources?”
He thought about selling gas to Europe.
“No.”
“Then what?”
“Weapons.”
At the mention of weapons, Minister Lee Han-se scoffed.
“Are you talking about conventional Soviet weapons? Don’t you know they’re not compatible?”
It was true that most of their weapons were not compatible.
Even for rifles, that was the case.
Korea uses 5.56mm rounds like the United States.
However, Russia uses 7.62mm rounds.
“There are conventional weapons that, even if not compatible, Korea still needs.”
“And what would that be?”
“An aircraft carrier.”
“……”
Minister Lee Han-se was so shocked that he couldn’t speak.
Director Kim Seong-woong of the National Intelligence Service, who was sitting next to him, shouted in surprise.
“An aircraft carrier?”
“Yes, an aircraft carrier. To be precise, it’s an aircraft cruiser. But since it carries fighter jets, it can be considered an aircraft carrier. With the right conditions, we could get one of their decommissioned aircraft cruisers.”
“W-wait a minute.”
Minister Lee Han-se shook his head.
“Is that really possible?”
“It would come with conditions, but yes, it’s possible.”
“What kind of conditions…?”
“Basically, if we obtain an aircraft cruiser, we would need Russia’s consent before selling or providing the cruiser and its technology to another country.”
It meant they couldn’t sell or provide it to other nations without Russian approval.
And Russia was unlikely to agree to that.
“This isn’t something we should discuss among ourselves. The Minister of National Defense should be involved as well.”
At Minister Lee Han-se’s words, Director Kim Seong-woong nodded.
“We should also report this to the President.”
Excuse me.
I didn’t say this just for your benefit.
“Calm down for a moment. As I said before, I’m a businessman.”
Do they understand?
“So, you’re saying you need compensation.”
As expected from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, he understood clearly.
“Exactly.”
“What kind of compensation are you looking for?”
“It’s quite a bit.”
“Let’s hear it.”
“First, I’d like approval to establish a defense company.”
“A defense company?”
“Yes. I intend to run the defense company that will handle the weapons brought from Russia.”
This was to keep a leash on them.
So they wouldn’t have other ideas.
“Hmm. We’ll discuss it. What’s the second condition?”
“I would like Lawyer Kang Mu-song’s lawsuit to proceed without interference and at a fast pace.”
Lawyer Kang Mu-song was startled.
“My lawsuit, sir?”
“Yes. Wouldn’t it be ideal for the trial to proceed solely based on evidence?”
“Well, that’s true, but…”
As Lawyer Kang Mu-song showed a puzzled expression, Director Kim Seong-woong spoke.
“That can be arranged. We can also provide additional evidence.”
“Thank you.”
Minister Lee Han-se asked,
“Is there anything else?”
“Lastly, I’d like to meet with the person responsible for Samdo General Trading.”
“Are you only planning to talk?”
“I will only talk.”
It wouldn’t be a pleasant conversation.
“No, you plan to threaten them under the guise of conversation.”
Minister Lee Han-se was sharp.
“Perhaps.”
Minister Lee Han-se looked at Director Kim Seong-woong.
“Director, is that possible?”
“We need to make it possible. An aircraft cruiser…”
“Then, if all three conditions are met, we can start proper negotiations.”
It seemed like they would agree to everything.
—
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