Five-Day Funeral, Part 4
“I only bribed the guests from the Ministry of Justice and the prosecution. I had a long, private conversation with two bank presidents as well.”
“The prosecution and banks… not exactly a typical pairing. They might have been discussing something else. But you’re worried about the prosecution, right?”
“Yes. I can’t shake off what Grandma said. The quickest way to get rid of me is to exploit my weaknesses, isn’t it?”
Oh Se-hyun pondered for a while before speaking.
“Just keep an eye on things for now. Even if the prosecution targets you, don’t act rashly. I’ll do some digging myself.”
“I’m sorry for dragging you into this when you’re retired.”
“You shouldn’t have come back to Korea. The air alone is suffocating, and seeing how your family operates is even more stifling.”
As he was about to leave, he paused, looking a bit concerned.
“I’m not just looking into this for you. They might try to use Yoon-gi’s weaknesses against you.”
“My father?”
“Yes. There’s a lot of murky business on that side. They could easily find something to latch onto. Knowing how much you care about your parents, they might use Yoon-gi as leverage to threaten you. That’s what worries me more.”
At that moment, a spark ignited in my mind.
It wasn’t anger. It might just be an opportunity for a turnaround.
“Uncle, please don’t say anything to Father yet. Let me confirm everything first…”
“Stop nagging. I’m not so clueless that I need a lecture from you.”
After Oh Se-hyun left, I waited for Deputy Kim Yoon-seok.
Given the amount involved, it was taking quite some time.
He must be making the rounds at at least half a dozen places.
As I waited, I recalled a movie I had seen in a past life, something about “The Taste of Money.”
In the film, there was a secret room in a chaebol’s mansion filled with stacks of money, enough to fill several containers.
I remember laughing so hard at the scene where they took money from there to bribe people…
Of course, the director probably intended to portray the chaebol lifestyle as a fantasy, but to me, it seemed utterly ridiculous.
Despite financial regulations, chaebols don’t keep slush funds at home; they store them in banks.
The financial sector always sides with the wealthy. No matter how tight the legal net, they find loopholes and workarounds to cater to the rich. Financial services for the wealthy, especially for chaebol-level clients, always operate beyond the ordinary person’s imagination.
Still, it would be nice to have a secret space at home to stash a few billion, like in the movies.
A secret room behind a bookshelf in the study… that would be fun.
These idle thoughts vanished when Deputy Kim Yoon-seok and a few security guards came in carrying boxes.
“Thank you for your hard work. I have things to do here, so head to Grandfather’s house first.”
After sending them off, I changed into a clean shirt to get down to business.
“Is it alright to leave the funeral unattended like this?”
Executive Director Woo Byung-jun asked, looking a bit worried as he rushed in.
“There are so many descendants that no one will notice if I’m missing. No one’s called looking for me yet.”
“It must be urgent if you’re leaving the funeral.”
“Yes.”
Director Woo glanced at the boxes piled in the corner of the living room and smiled slightly.
“I don’t have any updates on the investigation into Madam yet… Is it related to those?”
“Yes. I need to make some deliveries today.”
He seemed surprised by my response.
“Are you planning to go in person?”
“I have to. There are things I need to confirm directly.”
“Who is it that you need to meet in person?”
“Prosecutor General Kim Seok-hwi of the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office.”
As soon as he heard the name, Woo Byung-jun pulled out his phone.
“Check the mobile number and home address for Prosecutor General Kim Seok-hwi. It’s urgent.”
I didn’t ask where he was contacting. It’s polite not to pry into each other’s business secrets, isn’t it?
A few minutes later, a text notification chimed.
“You should contact him in advance, right?”
“Of course. I can’t exactly deliver a bribe at the prosecutor’s office, can I?”
“Just a moment.”
Woo Byung-jun pulled out his phone again.
“Bring up a phone. A new one.”
A phone? A burner phone?
“It’s a clean, laundered phone. Use it for calls with people like this. Your current phone is under the chief’s name, right?”
“Yes.”
“Use that one for official business only. A call between a chaebol heir and a prosecutor general would raise eyebrows.”
Such attention to detail.
It’s impressive how he takes care of these things without needing to be told.
When a security guard placed a phone on the table, Woo Byung-jun asked, “How many boxes will you take?”
“Two should be enough.”
At his signal, the security guard took two boxes and left.
“I’ll step out for a moment. Let me know when you’re done with the call.”
I motioned for him to sit back down.
“You’re handling this kind of work, so why leave just because of a phone call? Stay.”
“No, the less we know about each other’s business, the better it is for you.”
It’s hard to tell if he’s thorough or just rigid.
Once he left, I took a deep breath and dialed the prosecutor general’s number.
“Hello?”
“Hello, Prosecutor General. This is Jin Do-jun.”
“Who? Jin Do-jun? Are you…?”
His voice was full of suspicion.
“Yes, I’m the grandson of the late Chairman Jin Yang-cheol, and I’m in charge of the Sunyang Financial Group.”
His tone changed immediately.
“Oh, I see. I visited the funeral today but didn’t get a chance to greet you.”
Huh?!
It’s hard to judge just from a voice over the phone, but he didn’t sound flustered.
If someone you targeted called you out of the blue, even the calmest person wouldn’t sound this pleased, would they?
Was I wrong? Was it just a simple conversation, not a target?
It couldn’t be. My uncles aren’t the type to spend a long time chatting with someone like the prosecutor general just for pleasantries.
“No, I heard you met my uncles. I’m sorry I didn’t greet you first.”
“Oh, no need to apologize. I heard the chairman was very fond of you. You must be grieving deeply, so there’s no need to call just for condolences.”
I’m becoming more convinced that I’m not the target. There’s no hint of wariness in his voice.
“You’re mistaken, Prosecutor General. I’m calling because of the chairman’s last wishes.”
“Last wishes?”
“Yes. I’d like to discuss it in person. Could you spare some time?”
It’s natural to be suspicious when someone suddenly asks to meet, so there’s no immediate response. I need to ease his mind a bit.
“Oh, my grandfather entrusted me with more than just the financial group. He also gave me specific tasks for the group.”
“And those tasks are…?”
“He instructed me to take good care of certain matters ‘quarterly’ so they wouldn’t interfere with public duties.”
By now, he should understand what my grandfather’s “last wishes” mean…
His voice quickly shifted to one of pleasant surprise.
“Oh, I see. Well then… how about we meet at the usual place in an hour?”
The usual place?
I quickly checked my notes, which mentioned a parking lot. I couldn’t ask him there, so I swiftly suggested a change of venue.
“How about somewhere more comfortable for a proper introduction? I’ll let you know the location.”
“Shall we?”
“Also, please remember that the fewer people know about this, including my ‘family,’ the better.”
“Of course.”
I gave him the address of an office in Yeouido and ended the call.
Now, I need to confirm who my uncles have marked as their target.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Jin Do-jun.”
I gave a slight bow to Prosecutor General Kim Seok-hwi as he entered, glancing around the room.
“Oh, I’ve seen you on TV a few times, so you don’t seem like a stranger. Haha.”
The moment I saw him, I was sure. I’m not the target.
A flurry of faces flashed through my mind. Who could my uncles want to eliminate?
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, he asked, clearly curious.
“The chairman’s last wishes… am I right in my guess?”
“Probably. My grandfather selected a few individuals and instructed me to take care of them like family. He said my uncles, the vice-chairmen, were a bit lacking in thoroughness. Of course, they’re also very busy with the group.”
“Ah, indeed, the chairman was an extraordinary man. Honestly, I had given up hope after his passing.”
“Nothing changes. As always, I’ll ensure that family matters don’t interfere with public duties. However…”
I gauged his reaction, and he smiled, encouraging me to continue.
“Please keep this matter a secret from the vice-chairmen. My grandfather had another reason for entrusting this to me.”
“Another reason?”
“Yes. The vice-chairmen are very focused on efficiency. Well… that’s how my grandfather trained them in management. They would only offer appropriate compensation when necessary or when asking for help.”
Prosecutor General Kim Seok-hwi’s expression soured. It implied that they would only pay when a favor was needed. And there are plenty of prosecutors who can do favors. It’s easy to predict that he could become a tool used only occasionally.
“But think of it as a division of roles, just like the division of roles in the group’s management.”
After my explanation, the prosecutor general smiled.
He now knew who was more essential to him.
Someone who only pays when needed.
Someone who pays consistently.
It’s obvious which connection is more valuable, isn’t it?
“I can’t forget to thank you for your attention to this matter.”
“I’m just doing what your grandfather entrusted me with. No need to feel any pressure.”
I’ve made my position and role clear. Now, all that’s left is to confirm.
“But, Chief Prosecutor.”
“Yes?”
“Please handle the task my uncle requested today with care. It’s crucial for the group.”
I need to choose my words carefully, as if I’m in on their plans and fully aware of the request.
I waited anxiously for his response.
“Of course. A generational shift is a significant matter that will shape the next 30 years.”
A generational shift?
When my grandfather divided the shares, the shift was already complete. Who’s left to replace? Those still in their positions can be changed at any time, can’t they?
“Yes. Especially now that my grandfather has passed, we can’t delay any longer.”
I subtly agreed, and the conversation delved deeper.
“Even if someone was the second-in-command, with the chairman’s passing, they should have stepped down to avoid burdening the others. Isn’t that the right thing to do?”
Second-in-command!
Two people immediately came to mind.
Son Hoon-jae, the president of the electronics division, and Lee Hak-jae, the chief secretary.
From Vice Chairman Jin Young-ki’s perspective, to firmly control the electronics division, he needs to remove President Son Hoon-jae quickly.
But the true second-in-command is Lee Hak-jae.
Kim Seok-hwi, the Chief Prosecutor, is an outsider. From an external viewpoint, the only second-in-command is Chief Secretary Lee Hak-jae.