At the prosecutor's office Seok Jae Hee of the Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office, the preparation for the trial is in full swing. This comes before the 5th trial of the case against Kim Young Hee, who has been in the US for more than 10 years and has washed his citizenship to return to operations in South Korea, and he contact Lee Cheol Jin. The trial is expected to end soon because Kim Young Hee, the key figure in the case, passed away during his arrest.
Since it was necessary to gradually determine the punishment for Lee Cheol Jin, prosecutor Seok pondered at the pile of documents on the table. The prosecutor's decision had a great impact on the judgement. The simple principle is to clearly define the crime and punish the crime according to the degree of the crime. However, following this principle is not easy.
As he was examining precedent cases, a knock on the door sounded, and Head of Department Kim walked in.
'These are the documents you have talked about.'
Head of Department Kim handed over the overseas cases that prosecutor Seok had requested and asked if he had heard of them. At this time, he raised his eyes to look at Head of Department Kim. He came a little closer and whispered.
"On my way here I met Park Gye Jang public security department. Do you know the NIS agent who investigated with us last time? It seems that person is wanted."
'What is his name?'
"It seems that he went back and forth with a Russian intelligence officer. Probably the offence of disclosing state secrets."
Prosecutor Seok also knows Kwon Taek Joo. They collaborated a few months ago regarding the investigation into Kim Young Hee's group. But since the two have only met a few times, there is no basis to judge the personality, patriotism or integrity of 'Kwon Taek Joo' as well as personal relationships. However, he still can't understand why after personally arresting Kim Young Hee and his accomplices, he himself was pursued for leaking state secrets.
'Tell me more.'
"I didn't hear very well either... Kim Young Hee was arrested in Busan and Kwon Taek Joo immediately exited to Russia. He applied for his mother's birthday leave for the NIS, and then even disguised his identity. But having a wanted warrant shows that there is definitely evidence of him spying for Russia, right?"
Come to think of it, Prosecutor Seok never met Kwon Taek Joo after the case ended. All necessary documents are received directly from NIS.
Inherently, the parties in security cases are often unexpected figures. Kwon Taek Joo is no exception. However, Prosecutor Seok was even more curious and sceptical about what state secret he was selling in such a rush.
A knock on the door sounded again. Since there was no appointment with anyone, Prosecutor Seok looked at the head of the Kim department with scepticism. Head of department Kim shrugged as if he didn't know who it was.
'Come in.'
The door opens after approval. 'Hello', the face of the person standing outside the door looked quite familiar. Perhaps because he was talking about Kwon Taek Joo, Prosecutor Seok remembered very well, it was Yoon Jong Woo, a junior who often accompanied Kwon Taek Joo.
"Ah yes. Hello. But why did you come over here..."
'You must be busy preparing for the trial, but I ventured here because I had something to ask.'
"Is that so? Come in."
Despite being invited to Yoon Jong Woo, he continued to hesitate outside the door. Prosecutor Seok glanced at Chief Kim with a confused face, it seemed that Yoon Jong Woo wanted to talk privately.
Prosecutor Seok immediately stood up and put on a jacket. There was still a mountain of work to do but he couldn't drive away someone who had just visited.
'I'll be back in 30 minutes.'
After informing Head of Department Kim, Prosecutor Seok left the office with Yoon Jong Woo.
The two walked into a cafe near the prosecutor's office. It's pretty late in the morning so there are very few people. Even so, Yoon Jong Woo still decided to choose a seat inside. His very alert attitude to his surroundings made Prosecutor Seok even more curious about why he came. He asked first while drinking water.
"Now tell me. What's wrong?"
'I heard that Kim Young Hee committed suicide.'
Prosecutor Seok tilted his head at Yoon Jong Woo's first words. Kim Young Hee died less than three months ago. The person in charge of the investigation like Yoon Jong Woo can't help but know this. However, he still nodded calmly wondering why he was referring to the old story.
"Yes. He also knew that she was dead during her arrest. When the Coast Guard arrived at the ferry terminal, she was dead."
'Based on what to conclude that Kim Young Hee's death was suicide?'
"The autopsy results showed that Kim Young Hee hit his left molars with force just before her death, in that molar there was Cyanide. Maybe they put Cyanide in their teeth to kill themselves in case the plan fails."
'What about the handkerchiefs?'
'Handkerchiefs?'
"Kwon Taek Joo said he inserted a handkerchief in Kim Young Hee's mouth to prevent self-harm. There was a bullet wound on her right arm so it was almost unuseable, and her left arm was broken back and handcuffed to the railing, so it would be difficult for her to pull the handkerchief out of her mouth on her own. 'Her mouth is also stuck tightly, so she probably can't bite her molars.'''
'We did not receive any reports of a handkerchief being found at the scene.'
Yoon Jong Woo's face stunted. Prosecutor Seok's face also became serious. As Yoon Jong Woo said, if Kim Young Hee couldn't move voluntarily and was silenced, and if she was alive until Kwon Taek Joo stayed on the ferry, how and when did she try to commit suicide? That information was not shown in the CCTV video obtained from the scene.
There is only one possibility to infer, which is the existence of a third party. During the time Kwon Taek Joo chased Lee Cheol Jin until the coast guard arrived, there was still a small amount of free time. Just a few minutes but enough time to put Kim Young Hee to death. Of course this is just a hypothesis and evidence is needed to verify before drawing clear conclusions. This also refers to the need to determine that Kim Young Hee is unlikely to commit suicide under the firm measures of Kwon Taek Joo.
'So now you mean there's a possibility that Kim Young Hee was murdered?'
"I think we need to check again. The handkerchief disappeared unexpectedly, Kim Young Hee died just before she was arrested and the fact that what she stole was a top secret data that could not be accessed unless it was a senior official... I find that a little confusing."
"That document was provided to Kim Young Hee by a military officer who had a relationship with her, do you mean? He also received a summons and jumped to his own suicide so we couldn't get a confession. Considering that they both are spies, the act of trying to commit suicide after a failed battle is not incomprehensible."
'Um... so have you seen that ring?'
'What ring are you talking about?'
'Isn't Kim Young Hee wearing a ring?'
"No. There are no reports of that either."
Whether it's a handkerchief or a ring, it's a story that Prosecutor Seok doesn't know at all. The trial took place without such factors in the first place. If Yoon Jong Woo's words are true, the trials so far have been useless.
'So what you mean is...'
'What if someone manipulates this case?'
"Manipulate? Do you mean the defendant was falsely charged?"
"No. It's not that, but there may be other people involved in the case. The dead military officer's claim that he had nothing to do with the operation may be true. Maybe someone stole the secret data from Kim Young Hee."
Yoon Jong Woo constantly hints at new possibilities. Precisely close to conspiracy theory. Prosecutor Seok also thought that the timing of this case was very delicate. Kim Young Hee has been hiding her identity for years, suddenly trying to approach too hastily.
Just two months after the official investigation began, a military officer suspected of being inside with her when she committed suicide, and she also made an extreme choice. Except for Lee Cheol Jin, all the key characters in the case have evaporated.
However, no matter how difficult it is, right now it is just a fantasy without an entity, as if something had happened without physical evidence.
"Yes, although the truth is unique, each person has a different relationship and perspective, so dozens and hundreds of different theories can appear. The fact that a handkerchief or ring disappeared from the scene is ultimately just someone's one-sided argument. If you need my help, please come with clearer evidence. I will try to help to the best of my ability."
Prosecutor Seok drew a clear line. In the trial of Lee Cheol Jin, which will take place in the next few days, before that, if Yoon Jong Woo gives convincing evidence, all the time and effort so far has been wasted, but Prosecutor Seok will still unravel the truth. But otherwise he could never confirm it.
Yoon Jong Woo nodded as if he understood, his face was also sluggish and not very happy.
'If there's nothing more to say, I'll go first.'
Prosecutor Seok immediately stood up. Yoon Jong Woo quickly stood up and nodded. For some reason, Prosecutor Seok silently nodded to Yoon Jong Woo and strode towards him instead of the door. He passed Yoon Jong Woo, who was looking suspiciously, and walked to the chair behind him. A man in a hood was sitting there. He lowered his head and barely saw his face, but Prosecutor Seok still started the conversation without hesitation.
"I heard that a wanted warrant was issued not so long ago. I haven't received an official cooperation request yet, so I'll skip it this time. But the next time we meet, I have no choice but to arrest you. Personally, I hope that will never happen."
Prosecutor Seok warned in a deep and low voice. There was no response from the man. Prosecutor Seok looked down at the man for a while and then turned his back and left the cafe.
Yoon Jong Woo plopped down on the chair.
'Hyung, you seem to have been discovered.'
Yoon Jong Woo said while turning his head to look back. The man sitting with his back on him is none other than Kwon Taek Joo. Although Prosecutor Seok recognised him early on, he refused to arrest him. It's as if Prosecutor Seok agrees with Yoon Jong Woo's questions, or exactly Kwon Taek Joo's questions. As long as a physical evidence is warranted, the Prosecutor will always act according to the standard.
Of course, no matter whose request is, Kwon Taek Joo still needs evidence to prove his innocence.
"First go back to the headquarters. It wouldn't be nice if you kept around with someone with a wanted warrant like me."
"What about hyung? If discovered unexpectedly..."
He slapped Yoon Jong Woo's pale face lightly. Blood circulates quickly, making the whole face hot. Yoon Jong Woo bit his jaw and shouted 'Ahhhh.' when he felt Kwon Taek Joo's hand on his face.
'Take care of yourself, I will find a way to live using my way.'
Kwon Taek Joo clutched the nape of his hardworking juniors and comforted him, but Yoon Jong Woo still seems gloomy non-stop.
_ _ _
Kwon Taek Joo's mother stood at the sink with a dazed expression. The rice in the pot is mushy. She was dismayed for several hours when cooking rice with the thought of feeding her son.
She suddenly calmed down and then moved her hands mechanically. Then, with many thoughts, she rushed into the living room.
The phone was being charged and a message came in. Her hand trembled to check the message she had just received. However, it was a spam, not the contact she had been waiting for, for a long time. For more than three months, she did not know if her only son was still alive or dead.
She was discouraged for a moment, then suddenly relaxed and stood up. She quickly took a random coat and hurriedly left the house. Each of her feet wore two shoes that is two different pairs.
She passed by without hearing the greetings of the neighbours. She didn't even realise someone was watching her.
After a while, the place where Kwon Taek Joo's mother went was a nearby police station. The police were confused as soon as she appeared. A police patrol officer watching the situation nearby approached.
'Have you found my son?'
Kwon Taek Joo's mother desperately grabs the police officer's arm. He just smiled faintly at this repeated situation and said 'Sit down here for a while' and led her to a nearby table. Another police officer who was watching the story also brought a glass of warm water.
However, Kwon Taek Joo's mother still stared desperately at the two of them one after another with a bewilderment and constant muttering.
"Have you found my son?"
'Well, about that... we're working hard on it. However as I said last time, in the case of an adult disappearing without contact, we usually focus on the aspect of leaving on their own discretion rather than getting missing. Especially when your son...'
"It's not like that! He called every day. No matter what happens, no matter how late, I always answer. His not the kind of person who disappears without a word like that!"
'Yes, of course. But ma'am, your son didn't say anything honest to you. The community centre where his son is working says there are no such employees and even after searching list of local officials there is no one with such a name. You've seen this too, right?'
The policeman calmly persuaded but Kwon Taek Joo's mother repeatedly denied that it could never happen.
"There must be something wrong. There must have been a bad thing that happened. We can track the location of the phone. I don't know if the phone is open again right now. Hurry up, give it a try. Hurry up!"
'Ma'am, please calm down. First of all, let's drink water first...'
"You said you would find my son! Quickly find him! Find my son."
The water in the glass is waved out with agitation. The policeman grabbed both of her arms to avoid unwanted injuries, but Kwon Taek Joo's mother continued to move frantically. The police officers who were resisting were pushed away and they were scratched to injury by her nails.
A senior police officer looked at the scene displeasedly and he approached. He then confidently handed out a printed paper to Kwon Taek Joo's mother, who was still in a panic.
"Ma'am, look at this. Is it your son?"
Kwon Taek Joo's mother accidentally looked at the photo paper and opened her eyes wide. She shook the hand of the policeman holding her and grabbed the print in an instant. The printing conditions are not very good but it is definitely a photo of Kwon Taek Joo. She nodded several times.
"That's right, that's my son. Did you find him?"
'That's why you lost contact with him. Your son, he is a wanted criminal.'
"…What?"
'You don't understand? I would like to say that Kwon Taek Joo is not the one who was caught by bad people, but it was he who took evil acts and then ran away. How can I find someone who is determined to disappear?'
The last words he almost said to himself.
Kwon Taek Joo's mother stood blankly and shook her head. The absent-minded eyes blinked continuously.
"There's no such thing..."
'Yes. Your child is not that kind of person, everyone says that. But anyway, your son is being chased for a serious crime. You don't have to tell us to find him, you have to find him directly and bring him here. If he has contacted with you, please tell him to surrender and confess.'
The officer said a spill that had no chance of stopping. Kwon Taek Joo's mother completely lost all her soul as if she had just been bombed. She just moaned occasionally over and over again, 'It can't be like that'.
After a long time, she was able to turn her back and walk away. The anxious eyes of those around followed. Not long after, she collapsed on the floor before she could get out the door.
'Ma'am!'
'Oh my god, call 119!'
'What are you looking at? Quickly come over here!'
The bewildered police officers shouted in a hurry. Someone called 119 and some people carried Kwon Taek Joo's mother to a couch. They wet their handkerchiefs and then applied them to her foreheads, quickly massaging her limbs to let her blood flow. Ten minutes later the ambulance arrived.
Kwon Taek Joo's mother was taken to an ambulance unconscious. A patrol police officer decided to accompany her to the hospital instead of a guard who was not present. The ambulance turned on the warning light and rushed out of the police station.
Until the wailing sounded away, there was a person who was still standing there. It's Kwon Taek Joo. Worried about his mother, he wandered in front of the house just as she walked out of the house. The fact that the wanted warrant is issued means that people close to him will definitely be monitored, so Kwon Taek Joo only intends to look at his mother from afar and then leave.
His mother is a person who can't sleep peacefully because she is worried about her son, so he doesn't expect her to have an easy life. He could never have thought that he would see her being carried on an ambulance stretcher. Kwon Taek Joo felt resentful when he was helpless to watch, even though he didn't commit any crime.
Kwon Taek Joo pulls the rim of the hat deeper. His fists were white in hasty footsteps. Another reason to quickly find out the truth.
Kwon Taek Joo immediately went to the computer room. He goes to the farthest corner and accesses Yoon Jong Woo's favourite shooting game. When he logged in with Yoon Jong Woo's ID, a message appeared. It was sent by Yoon Jong Woo through another ID. Kwon Taek Joo checks the content and deletes it immediately. Less than 5 minutes after entering, he left the engine room.
The place where Kwon Taek Joo reappears is the subway station. He travelled among the crowd of passengers who were flocking to the station and left the convoy. He walked through the low corridor of the station and then began to walk in a small tunnel with few people passing through. Homeless people who were sitting and gathered to chatter without caring about strangers along the small road. Kwon Taek Joo cautiously walked past them and stopped in front of a man lying on his side on a piece of newspaper.
On the man's chair was an old frayed Bacchus energy drink case. There are only a few coins in the box. As soon as he noticed that a pile of money was withdrawn from Kwon Taek Joo, he sat up and snatched the money he was going to put in the box and publicly counted it.
Shortly thereafter, the man handed back the black bag he was holding in his hand. Kwon Taek Joo silently takes it and the man lies down again as if he has finished his business.
Kwon Taek Joo opens the bag and checks each item. Inside was a phone, ginseng water along with a corner of the newspaper with small notes on it. Kwon Taek Joo walked while opening the bottle of red ginseng and took a breath. A memory card is discreetly attached to the inside of the bottle cap. He removed the memory card and inserted it into the slot of the cell phone and checked the data stored on the card. All the necessary information was arranged right in front of him. Kwon Taek Joo put his phone in his pants pocket and hurried out of the tunnel.