It's the last day
For people, conglomerates were objects of envy and, at the same time, of desire.
The happiness you feel when you receive your yellow paycheck after working hard all month and go home with a whole fried chicken from the market is quickly erased by the occasional story about the chaebols on TV.
[(Breaking News) KS Group Chairman, summoned for investigation on charges of embezzlement and breach of trust, new slush funds discovered. Arrest warrant requested after emergency arrest.
Choi Woo-shik, chairman of KS Group, was arrested on emergency grounds at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office when new slush funds were discovered while he was being questioned on charges of embezzlement and breach of trust.
Today, Chairman Choi Woo-shik appeared at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office to be summoned for questioning on charges of embezzlement and breach of trust due to fraudulent accounting. He did not answer any of the reporters' questions and entered the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office for questioning with a stiff face.
However, during the investigation, new slush funds were discovered. The prosecution broke the basic principle of non-custodial investigation and arrested Chairman Choi Woo-shik on an emergency basis.
Details on the size or source of the slush fund have not yet been revealed. The prosecution conducted a search and seizure of the KS Group at the same time as the emergency arrest.
Oh Hyun-woo, the deputy chief prosecutor investigating the KS Group, said about this emergency arrest, "We discovered new charges that did not exist before, and we decided to request an emergency arrest and detention warrant because we judged that there is a risk of damaging or destroying evidence."
Chairman Choi Woo-shik is currently undergoing intensive investigation in the prosecutor's office interrogation room. During the process of requesting an arrest warrant, his lawyer is claiming innocence.
Due to this incident, the stock price of KS Group, listed on KOSPI and KOSDAQ, has fallen significantly. Shareholders are calling for the management stability of KS Group, a representative company of the Korean economy, saying that the future of KS Group has become uncertain.
I checked the article posted on the portal with my laptop.
Starting with the Internet, the evening papers that come out in the afternoon also had news of Choi Woo-shik's emergency arrest on their front pages.
I pressed the call button on my phone to contact Oh Hyun-woo.
- Oh, Moo-hyuk.
"Are you busy?"
― It's time for a short break. You contacted me at a good time. I felt good when you said you were making an emergency arrest.
Oh Hyun-woo's voice sounded good on the phone.
"How is the reaction?"
- What can I say? He was really angry. It seemed like the head of the legal team got slapped in the face too.
"Raise your hand at the Central District Prosecutors' Office?"
― I don't know the exact situation because they said they weren't recording, but her cheeks were red. They said it was because it was hot. But even if you turned on the heater on this cold winter day, how could it be hot? Who would believe that?
"Is there any clear evidence to request an arrest warrant?"
― It's not someone else's evidence, it's the woman I was living with, so I can't take it out or leave it out. Plus, there's already a recording showing that she tried to destroy the evidence, so there's no problem. And the story's already over.
"That's good. Aren't you going to apply for an arrest warrant yourself?"
It didn't look good for a couple to claim and have it accepted.
― The chief prosecutor said he would go in my place. He lamented that it had been a long time since he had been to court.
"Okay. The media will keep knocking on Chairman Choi Woo-shik. Don't worry, don't give him any favors, and just calm him down."
― That's what I was hoping for. Do you know what happened earlier? He told me to take care of the prosecutors separately after the investigation was over. Are you crazy?
"That's a conglomerate. You know that, so why are you getting angry?"
― Ha······. I guess I'll have to go back in for now. I'll contact you again when the arrest warrant is issued.
"Okay. Let's talk again later."
As soon as I hung up the phone with Oh Hyun-woo, I immediately called Han Min-kyung.
- Yeah, Moo-hyuk.
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"Min-kyung, are you out of your mind?"
- Well, that's right. I'm checking the documents that came from the prosecution. This... If it weren't for me, who would have examined it and issued an arrest warrant?
"Because I set up a net so you can't escape. You know what I mean. If you don't do it, you won't know, but if you do it, you'll make sure of it."
― Oh my······. If you can't speak. There's already been an order from above to issue an arrest warrant. Don't worry and wait, there won't be any problems.
"Don't worry. It's your job. After work, let's have a meal together with Hyunwoo. Were you a little disappointed that he didn't show up last time?"
- I'm really busy these days. I'll contact you later when the time is right.
"Okay. I'll hang up. Good luck."
As I was putting my phone down, I heard the doorbell ringing outside. After a while, I heard Myeongsu and Hyeonseong's voices.
He spoke rudely to the two people who came in through the door without knocking.
"Don't you knock and come in?"
"What's with the knocking? What happened at dawn?"
Myeongsu collapsed onto my bed.
"I handled it quietly. I made sure that kid never gets to see the floor of Yeongdo again, so there shouldn't be any problems."
"Oh? Looks like you finished it well. Looking at your expression, I thought you caught a person."
"Was it so?"
"What? Did you? Hyunseong, did you see that?"
Hyunseong, who had been standing without sitting anywhere, nodded.
"It's been a long time since I've seen that expression."
"I see."
I was annoyed because the pleasant drinking party I had enjoyed for the first time in a long time was ruined.
No, even so, usually it doesn't show so you wouldn't know. These guys know me too well.
"That bastard Jeong Han-cheol is always running around like that. I knew I would be like that someday. He doesn't change even as he gets older."
Myeongsu expressed his disgust towards Jeong Hancheol without hesitation.
"Do you hate it that much? I've never seen you hate anyone that much."
"Don't you remember? How much money did that bastard take from me? Did he just take the money? He even took my shoes and clothes. That's why you stepped on him."
"I said I don't remember."
"Era! So? How did you solve it?"
I gave a brief summary of what happened.
"What? You're just a fool."
"The conclusion is that."
"Oh my. I can't come to my senses. If I keep living like that, what am I going to do in the future······."
At that moment, Hyunseong blurted out a word.
"If you don't like it, why are you worried about that person? Just do one thing, just one thing."
"No! Who cares? If someone like that were to wander around outside, the world would become a dangerous place."
The two soon began to bicker. These guys never changed even as they got older.
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I shook my head and sat up from my chair.
"When are you going up to Seoul?"
"I'm planning to go up tomorrow. Hyunseong said he's going up tomorrow too. What about you?"
"Me tomorrow? Well, I'll rest for a bit first."
"What, don't you want a drink?"
"It's my last day, so I'm spending it with my family."
"What are you doing with your family? Let's have a quick drink nearby."
"Okay."
"Oh, Kim Mu-hyuk is buying expensive things again."
"I'm originally expensive."
I kicked the whining Myeongsu out of the room. After sending the kids away, I lay down on the bed and tried to get some sleep.
* * *
Late at night.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Choi Woo-shik. The area in front of the Central District Prosecutors' Office is crowded with people to take pictures of Choi Woo-shik heading to the detention center.
"This is reporter Kim Mi-young. I have news to share about the case of KS Group Chairman Choi Woo-shik."
On one side of the screen, a video was showing Choi Woo-shik in a car heading to court. The reporter continued.
"The case, which began with allegations of embezzlement and breach of trust against Choi Woo-shik, is becoming more complex with the addition of new allegations of slush funds."
At that time, Choi Woo-shik was captured on camera leaving the prosecutor's office.
The live broadcast screen stopped broadcasting recorded footage and filled with Choi Woo-shik's appearance.
Choi Woo-shik came out of the entrance of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office with his handcuffed hands covered by his clothes. Outside, there were reporters and even people from civic groups.
Reporters attempted to interview Choi Woo-shik by shoving cameras and microphones into him.
- Chairman Choi Woo-shik, please state your position on this incident!
Choi Woo-shik ignored the reporter and walked proudly toward the escort vehicle.
But the reporters didn't give up.
"Mr. Chairman, do you admit to the new charges?"
At those words, Choi Woo-shik stopped walking. Then, he pushed away the microphone with both hands that were handcuffed.
The impact caused the microphone in the reporter's hand to fall.
Choi Woo-shik didn't stop there and pushed the reporter's shoulder.
"Get out! Why do I have to see this! I'm Choi Woo-shik! KS Choi Woo-shik!"
Flashes of light went off like crazy. The guards standing guard around the area gathered to protect Choi Woo-shik as he started to cause a ruckus.
But he wasn't a reporter who would back down to that extent.
The mic was rolling around on the floor, but there weren't just one or two anyway.
"Mr. Chairman! The people are curious. Please answer."
Choi Woo-shik shouted in anger at the continued questioning.
"I'm Choi Woo-shik! Choi Woo-shik!"
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The head of the legal team who was standing next to me whispered softly.
"Mr. Chairman. There are many cameras. Please fix them for now······."
Despite the legal team leader's advice, Choi Woo-shik could not control his anger and became violent, eventually hitting the legal team leader in the face with both hands.
It was to the point where it was pointless to even try to make excuses. The head of the legal team fell to the ground, and the prosecutors who couldn't stand to watch grabbed his arms and subdued him.
"This is a conspiracy! It's a conspiracy!"
As Chairman Choi Woo-shik, who was very large, resisted by waving his arms, the investigators were overwhelmed by his strength.
The head of the legal team, who had been lying on the floor, got up and wiped the blood flowing from his mouth.
The head of the legal team, who noticed blood on his hands, bit his lips and said.
"Mr. Chairman, please calm down a bit. This will not be good for public opinion."
"What's important about public opinion! What do you pigs know? What have I done for the national economy? You're arresting me for making a little money?"
At that time, Oh Hyun-woo and Yoon Hyun-joo came out together from the Central District Prosecutors' Office building.
Yoon Hyun-joo was visiting the Central District Prosecutors' Office for questioning as a witness.
Some of the reporters rushed towards the two men.
The bodyguards surrounding Yoon Hyun-joo tried to stop them, but Yoon Hyun-joo shook her head and spoke to the bodyguards.
"Please get out of the way. Don't block the reporters."
At Yoon Hyun-joo's instruction, the bodyguards took a step back, but did not let their guard down.
"Director Yoon Hyun-joo, why did you visit the Central District Prosecutors' Office today?"
Yoon Hyun-joo looked at Oh Hyun-woo, and he nodded, signaling that it was okay for him to speak.
"I came to the Central District Prosecutors' Office today for a witness interview."
"Are you also involved in this embezzlement, breach of trust, and slush fund suspicions?"
"Me? Of course not. I have testified to all the illegal acts my husband has committed. If we leave it like this, the KS Group will collapse."
Surprise appeared on the reporters' faces as they heard the answer. The room became even more noisy with the murmur of voices.
"Is that true? Are you saying that the director reported Chairman Choi Woo-shik?"
"I simply answered the prosecutor's questions to the best of my knowledge. If you call it an accusation, then it is an accusation."
Oh Hyun-woo intervened in the Q&A session between reporters and Yoon Hyun-joo.
"Reporters, let's stop here. A press release with more details will be released soon. Director Yoon Hyun-joo is not under any criminal charges. She simply cooperated with the prosecution as a witness. Please clear the way for me to go back."
Oh Hyun-woo spoke with a smile, but the reporters hesitated because of the intimidation he felt.
"The press release will be out soon. And I will personally report on the interim investigation later. So, if you are tired from the witness interview, I will send it to you first."
Eventually, the reporters retreated. Oh Hyun-woo and Yoon Hyun-joo came down the stairs together.
Yoon Hyun-joo raised one corner of her mouth at Choi Woo-shik, who was blankly looking at her while handcuffed.
"this person!!"
It was only for a moment, but Choi Woo-shik's eyes rolled back, he pushed away the investigators and ran towards her.
But he couldn't reach Yun Hyun-joo. As if he had expected Oh Hyun-woo to rush in, he stepped in, grabbed his arm, pushed him, and pinned him to the floor.
"What are you guys doing! If a suspect runs wild, do it according to the manual. If you give them favors just because they are conglomerates, why do prosecutors exist?"
Oh Hyun-woo shouted, and at that sound, the investigators subdued Choi Woo-shik, who was struggling on the floor with a stiff face, and dragged him onto the bus.
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The whole situation was broadcast live across the country.
< It's the last day > End