The presidential office.
Hwang Gitae, director of the National Intelligence Service, entered the presidential office carrying a thick file.
President Min Yeongsu had been looking out the window at Namsan. He turned and greeted him.
“Welcome, Director.”
“Mr. President.”
Director Hwang bowed deeply. They had known each other for a long time, but in this space, their relationship was strictly official.
“Please, have a seat.”
President Min gestured to the sofa. The sofa in the office was where more relaxed conversations were held.
“What report have you prepared for today?”
“Yes, sir. It is a report on an individual who has recently been receiving international attention.”
“Who are you referring to?”
Director Hwang held out a photograph. The person in the photo was a man in his mid-thirties.
“He is a doctor named Kang Taeho.”
“Ah, the doctor who was recently appointed as a special adviser to the WHO.”
“That’s correct. He is currently under investigation by the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office on charges of using unauthorized pharmaceuticals, but the situation has become somewhat complicated.”
President Min adjusted his glasses, showing interest.
“What do you mean by complicated?”
“Kang Taeho’s appointment as a WHO special adviser is highly unusual. Generally, WHO advisers have at least ten years of international experience and undergo thorough political vetting, but Kang Taeho was appointed in just six months.”
“If it’s unusual, there must be a reason.”
Director Hwang lowered his voice further.
“There was strong backing from U.S. Senator Catherine Tisch and the Tisch family.”
“The Tisch family… You mean that Tisch family on Wall Street?”
“That’s right. One of the influential families of the eastern United States.”
President Min thought for a moment before speaking again.
“Why would a prominent American politician take an interest in a local doctor from Korea?”
Director Hwang took out a tablet and showed him a photo as he explained.
“Last year in New York, when Senator Catherine Tisch’s granddaughter, Emily Tisch, was in critical condition, Kang Taeho saved her with emergency treatment.”
“That is quite a connection. There are plenty of famous doctors in America, so why had a Korean doctor gone all the way there?”
“At the time, the son of Director Lee Junbeom, a Korean-American neurosurgeon at Mount Sinai Hospital, was suffering from SSPE, an extremely rare neurological disease. Even in the United States, he had been declared untreatable. At Director Lee Junbeom’s request, Kang Taeho participated as an adviser. Afterward, Kang Taeho achieved results close to a complete cure with an original treatment method. He developed a drug delivery technology that penetrates the blood-brain barrier. It’s a method the existing medical community had considered impossible.”
President Min nodded as if intrigued.
Director Hwang moved on to the next photo and continued explaining.
“Also, early this year, Kang Taeho treated President Ibrahim Sanyang in The Gambia. If President Sanyang had died suddenly then, West Africa would likely be in chaos from civil war by now.”
President Min widened his eyes as he looked at a photo file stamped with the CIA seal.
“So the CIA is paying attention to him?”
“Yes. The CIA’s medical science division is highly interested in Kang Taeho’s treatment methods. This is only my speculation, but they seem to assess it as technology that could be applied to developing antidotes for biochemical weapons.”
“And yet, here at home, he is under investigation for illegal pharmaceuticals?”
Director Hwang spoke carefully.
“Yes, technically speaking. Kang Taeho used drugs he developed himself without approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.”
“Then is it actually illegal?”
“Legally, yes, it is illegal… However, there are aspects that make it rather ambiguous. That drug awakened a patient who had been in a vegetative state for two years. It is an unprecedented case. He has also treated several patients with incurable diseases using similar methods. There are legal issues, but the fact that he ultimately saved many lives leaves room for controversy.”
“Aren’t there special provisions in the drug approval process that can be applied to rare diseases or emergency situations?”
“There are, but the investigation proceeded first while he was in the middle of applying for post-approval.”
“Hmm… Someone is deliberately driving him into a corner. Who led the investigation?”
“On the surface, it appears to have been ordered by the chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, but there are indications that Prosecutor General Song Gibok was actually involved.”
President Min closed the file and said,
“What a strange situation. A doctor recognized internationally is being pressured here at home instead… Does it make sense that we are treating such a person like a criminal?”
After being lost in thought for a moment, the president pressed the intercom and connected to the secretariat.
“Contact Prosecutor General Song Gibok. Tell him I want to meet him personally.”
-Do you mean right now, sir?
Even the secretariat sounded surprised.
“Right now. And summon the Minister of Justice as well.”
-Understood.
When the intercom disconnected, Director Hwang asked,
“What instructions do you intend to give?”
“I will tell them to bring me all information regarding the investigation into Kang Taeho immediately. And I will instruct them to halt all investigative actions at once.”
Director Hwang asked with a startled expression,
“Then the issue of prosecutorial independence…”
“Independence? You saw it too, Director Hwang. This is not an independent investigation, but an investigation reflecting personal bias. Isn’t this precisely the kind of doctor our country should protect and support?”
A smile spread across Director Hwang’s face.
“Understood, Mr. President. I will keep that in mind.”
“I’m personally curious. How did such a young doctor develop such an innovative treatment method? Once this overseas tour schedule is over, I’ll need to meet him.”
“Yes, sir. I will make the arrangements.”
Director Hwang Gitae bowed respectfully and left the office.
***
The sound of camera shutters and the murmurs of reporters filled the National Assembly press room. Broadcast cameras lined up before the podium, centered on Assemblywoman Han Miyeong. Behind Assemblywoman Han stood thirty-two lawmakers gathered across party lines, ruling and opposition alike, their expressions stern. The placards in their hands bore a clear message.
“Bill Proposed for Appointment of Special Prosecutor in Allegations of Medical Record Manipulation and Lobbying at Seyoung Hospital”
Han Miyeong stood before the microphone and steadied her breath. The reporters’ gazes were sharp as they focused on her.
“Today, we are jointly proposing, across party lines, a bill to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the allegations of medical record manipulation and lobbying at Seyoung Hospital. The values of the people’s lives and justice are absolute values that must transcend any administration and any prosecutorial organization.”
As soon as she finished the short, forceful declaration, camera flashes erupted all at once.
Questions from reporters immediately poured in.
“Assemblywoman Han! Is it true there are as many as seventeen victims?”
“Will the senior leadership of the prosecution also be included in the special prosecutor’s investigation?”
Han Miyeong looked at the reporters in silence for a moment before opening her mouth.
“The prosecution cannot reign above the people and enjoy privilege. If the prosecution attempts to cover up this case, the National Assembly will step forward directly and uncover the truth.”
The press room stirred once more. The reporters’ voices rose higher, and flashes poured down.
Han Miyeong’s gaze was resolute.
A four-term member of the National Assembly.
If her years as an aide were included, she had nearly twenty years of political experience.
This special prosecution had been pushed through by mobilizing every last bit of her connections and political strength.
The lawmakers standing behind Han Miyeong with determined expressions were the fruit of that effort.
***
The office of Special Prosecutor Kim Sanghun.
Jang Cheolmin, chief prosecutor of the Western District Prosecutors’ Office, spread the documents he had prepared across the desk.
Kim Sanghun flipped through the papers with a puzzled expression, then soon widened his eyes.
“What is this material?”
“These are records of golf meetings between Prosecutor General Song Gibok and Seyoung Hospital Director Park Seongho. From July 14 until recently, they met a total of six times. Jo Munsik, president of the Korean Medical Association, was present at every meeting.”
“How did you obtain these materials?”
“They were legally compiled from publicly available materials, such as VIP golf course entry records, media reports, and official schedules.”
Kim Sanghun studied the documents more intently.
“The timing of these meetings…”
“Yes. They coincide exactly with the points when orders were given for the prosecutorial investigation into Director Kang Taeho.”
Jang Cheolmin took out another file and set it down.
“And these are records of political donations made by Hospital Director Park Seongho. Over the past two years, funds have flowed intensively to certain politicians.”
Finally, Jang Cheolmin took out a USB drive and continued.
“The most decisive thing is this audio recording.”
He played the recording.
-Prosecutor General, how is the Kang Taeho matter being handled?
-Don’t worry. It will be wrapped up soon.
-The Medical Association is also applying pressure, so please handle it as quickly as possible.
Kim Sanghun’s expression hardened.
“Is the source of this recording reliable?”
“It came from an anonymous informant. We will have to verify the facts in detail, but if we conduct a voice analysis, I believe the results will be interesting.”
“Prosecutor Jang, these materials are serious matters that go beyond simply the Seyoung Hospital case.”
“I think so as well. The essence of this is not Seyoung Hospital, but the power cartel behind it.”
Kim Sanghun looked troubled for a moment.
Striking at the medical community and the Prosecutor General at the same time would not be easy, even for a special prosecutor.
“Investigating the Prosecutor General is a burden of enormous weight.”
Jang Cheolmin smiled calmly, then continued with a confident expression.
“That is exactly why a special prosecutor is needed. I am certain that you, Chief Special Prosecutor, are the person capable of doing this. If there is anything I can help with, please contact me at any time.”
Kim Sanghun’s face brightened a little.
Jang Cheolmin was known even within the prosecution for his tenacious and cold-blooded investigations.
Moreover, if the connections and intelligence-gathering power of his wife, Assemblywoman Han Miyeong, were added, the special prosecution would gain an unofficial helper beyond compare.
This matter was dangerous, but if handled well, it was also an opportunity to make a name for himself.
“I want to see this through to the end, so that no victim like my daughter ever appears again.”
Jang Cheolmin left those final words and rose.
He had already looked into Special Prosecutor Kim Sanghun, and he had come to give him the backing he needed to plunge into the investigation without holding back.
Jang Cheolmin was a swordsman who had wielded the blade for a long time.
He knew exactly where the tip of the sword he aimed was pointing.
***
Breaking news was playing on the TV hanging on the wall of the waiting room at Geumsan Clinic.
On the screen, Special Prosecutor Kim Sanghun could be seen standing before a microphone.
-In the course of investigating the Seyoung Hospital medical accident case, significant new facts have come to light. We have confirmed allegations of improper collusion between high-ranking prosecutors and major figures in the medical community, and have decided to expand the scope of the investigation.
A reporter hurriedly threw out a question.
-Who specifically are you referring to?
Special Prosecutor Kim Sanghun unfolded a document and said,
-We are officially launching an investigation into Prosecutor General Song Gibok. The charges are abuse of authority and obstruction of official duties.
The patients and guardians in the waiting room of Geumsan Clinic stared indifferently at the TV. A grandmother in her seventies asked the grandfather sitting beside her,
“If they’re investigating the Prosecutor General, doesn’t that mean something big has happened to our country?”
“What big thing? Prosecutor General or whatever he is, haven’t you heard the rumor that he’s been tormenting our director here? That made me lose every bit of goodwill I had, so I don’t give a damn about him.”
“Oh my! Was he such a nasty bastard?”
“Sure was. Whatever happens to that fellow, I just hope the director looks at my knee quick. This damn knee hurts even worse before it rains, acting up like crazy.”
The grandmother sitting across from them fiddled with her hearing aid and asked loudly,
“What? The prosecutor general’s knee hurts and is acting up?”
Just then, nurse’s aide Park Yeonji opened the door with a chart in her hand.
“Kim Cheolsu! Please come into the examination room.”
The grandfather who had said his knee hurt rose with a delighted expression and limped into the examination room.