1979, Manager Kim is Inheriting Dictatorship! - Chapter 121



Only Krnovel

Episode 121

“Oh, are you saying that you will ban preferential treatment? This will probably cause quite a stir in the legal community. But, is there a reason why you decided to do this as an emergency measure?”

“It’s the same as the real-name financial transaction system. In the case of such policies, if we announce them in advance, we have time to prepare, so we had no choice but to take emergency measures.”

The announcer asks me again, trying his best to hide his surprised expression.

“Mr. President, so in a nutshell, does this measure mean that those who want to become lawyers should not apply to become judges or prosecutors from the beginning?”

I nodded and answered the announcer’s question.

“Yes, that’s right.”

Although it was a fairly big issue, from the ban on preferential treatment to emergency measures, the expressions of other people in the studio were indifferent.

Occasionally, people were seen yawning because they were sleepy.

‘Of course, it won’t be something that directly affects us like the real-name financial transaction system… … .’

In addition, since the World Cup was a big issue that broke out first, it seems that the current emergency measures are not of much interest as expected.

But regardless of the studio’s reaction, the announcer continued to ask me questions.

“Then what will happen to the judges and prosecutors who are currently in office? If we ban their legal activities as you said, won’t they suddenly become unemployed?”

That was a valid point.

We should at least give at least a minimal chance to those who are currently practicing lawyers.

It was impossible to turn all the judges, prosecutors and lawyers into unemployed people in an instant.

“That’s a good point. If they had known this measure would be implemented, there are probably some who would not have retired. So, those who have already retired from the judicial and prosecutorial positions and are working as lawyers are prohibited from taking on criminal cases. They can continue to take on civil cases as before.”

The biggest problem with preferential treatment is, of course, criminal cases.

The problem is so serious that about 75% of preferential treatment actually occurs in criminal cases.

In the case of large-scale civil lawsuits between companies, there is no major problem since the companies each hire expensive lawyers, but in the case of criminal lawsuits, even for the same crime, the difference in sentences can be significant depending on whether the lawyer is a former judge or prosecutor.

That is why, if nothing else, criminal proceedings had to be banned unconditionally.

“I can only handle civil cases. Is that what you mean?”

“Yes, that’s right. However, since there are also livelihood issues for those who mainly worked on criminal cases, we will consider rehiring those who are currently judges or prosecutors and have not reached retirement age after a test if they so desire. However, this does not apply to those who have retired in the future.”

The announcer nods and says.

“So you’re saying that it won’t be applied in the future?”

“Yes. It is literally a relief for those who had to resign from their positions as prosecutors for unavoidable reasons.”

The announcer then asks one more question.

“You said it was a test, but if they fail the test, do they really just have to file a civil suit?”

“The test is about the minimum qualifications for a legal professional. If you can’t pass this in the first place, you shouldn’t be a lawyer or a judge or prosecutor. I don’t think it makes sense for unqualified people to go in and out of court just based on their connections.”

The PD gestures urgently to the announcer.

It seemed like it was way past the scheduled time.

The announcer, who saw that scene, hurriedly tried to give a closing comment.

“Oh, Mr. President. I would like to talk more, but it is time to end the conversation. If you have any last words for the people, please say them.”

I looked into the camera and gave my final greetings to the nation to welcome the new millennium.

“Citizens, I don’t know how many more years there will be. However, during the remaining period, I will work even harder to make the Republic of Korea the best country to live in in the world and the world’s greatest power. And in addition to the preferential treatment I mentioned earlier, I will also pay close attention to various social issues in the future so that we can solve all the remaining problems in society.

“Thank you for always showing your unconditional love for our government and me, Kim Jong-guk, for 20 years. I wish you all a happy new year.”

* * *

After the conversation with the President, the thing that received the most attention was, of course, hosting the World Cup.

It was just as Kim Jung-guk thought.

The announcement was made at the same time as the World Cup to avoid creating a stir about the emergency measures for preferential treatment.

If preferential treatment had become a major issue, there was a high probability that the other side would have waged a huge public opinion war, so they covered it up with the World Cup issue to prevent such a situation from even occurring.

We used a method frequently used in the legal profession.

It was a common way to cover up an issue with another issue.

[Korea hosts the 2002 World Cup. Argentina unilaterally cancels the hosting. FIFA bans Argentina from international competitions for four years. – Unification Sports]

[FIFA President Blatter: Thank you to Korea for accepting the sudden request.]

[The details of the negotiations are unknown, but based on what was said in the conversation, it is known that Korea gained a significant amount of benefit from hosting the World Cup.]

“Coach, is this true? The World Cup is being held in our country?”

Lee Chang-seop, a third-year member of the Nampo Buk High School soccer team, couldn’t believe the story his friend told him this morning, so he bought a newspaper he had never bought before and asked the soccer coach, whom he trusted and believed in, directly.

“It’s true. The president himself said it yesterday. He said that we will do what Argentina gave up on. The national team coach has also been appointed, and it seems like they are going to really put in effort this time.”

Changseop’s eyes begin to shine.

It was the World Cup, the one I had dreamed of since I was little.

But, I started to feel burning up inside, to the point where I couldn’t believe that the World Cup was being held in Korea.

“Coach, can I go out too… … ?”

Lee Chang-seop was currently the most promising high school soccer player.

Born in Nampo, he would not have had a chance in playing soccer before unification due to his so-called poor family background. However, after unification, he was able to play soccer, and is now considered one of the best high school soccer players.

The coach says while looking at Changseop with shining eyes.

“Of course, Inma. 2002 is the perfect time to go. If you don’t go, who will score goals in the World Cup? Don’t worry and prepare. I think you’ll be selected without a doubt.”

“I, really… … ?”

“I’m worried about everything. Changseop, all that’s left for you now is to become a superstar at the World Cup.”

His eyes were shining brighter than ever under the coach’s cheer.

* * *

After the conversation, most of the public’s attention was on the World Cup, but the legal community’s attention was naturally on the ban on preferential treatment.

“Representative Lee, are we really all going to become unemployed now?”

After retiring from his position as chief prosecutor, Prosecutor Park Chan-soo, who is working at a law firm specializing in criminal cases with an annual salary of 3 billion won, complains to the firm’s CEO, Kang Jeong-gu.

Kang Jeong-gu sighs and stands up, saying he will come up with a plan first.

“Whew, let’s come up with a plan first. If we rebel blindly, we’ll be the only ones who’ll suffer. It’s not just anyone else, it’s Kim Jong-guk.”

I don’t know about other presidents, but this president had an average approval rating of over 80 percent during his 20 years in office.

He was a man with enormous power and had even won over the conglomerates to his side.

If you rebel unnecessarily, you are likely to end up losing and only seeing blood.

“How did the inspectors react?”

Representative Kang Jeong-gu asks attorney Park Chan-su.

“It’s boiling over. Especially prosecutors who are about to retire. They are ready to raise their voices.”

“Whew, I understand. Since the president said we should meet tomorrow, let’s talk about it properly tomorrow. Whoa… … .”

I was holding back now, but the atmosphere felt like it would burst if I pricked it with a needle.

* * *

However, not all legal professionals reacted with excitement.

In particular, the reactions of those who became lawyers directly without going through the judge or prosecutor level were quite different.

“Good morning, sir!”

Attorney Jang Seok-ho greets the office manager with a bright smile.

Clearly, when he went home yesterday, his expression was sullen and his eyes were full of dark circles, but today he looked unusually refreshed.

‘Is there anything good?’

The office manager asks cautiously.

“Lawyer, I hope something good happens.”

“Sir, have you seen the interview with the president?”

‘Bold… …? Oh, that’s what I’m talking about.’

“Are you talking about the emergency measure banning preferential treatment?”

“Yes, that’s right. When I see that, I feel like 10 years of constipation has been relieved. Wow, it seems like the country gets better because we elect a good president.”

Attorney Jang Seok-ho was not usually a person who was very favorable toward President Kim Jong-guk.

But now he was particularly favorable toward the president.

‘When did you make a fuss about electing Lee Hae-chang? Why are you like that?’

“But is banning preferential treatment really such a good thing?”

Attorney Jang says in surprise.

“Of course! Think about it, Chief. If those people can’t handle the big criminal cases, where are they going to go?”

“ah…….”

Only then did the office manager understand.

Attorney Jang Seok-ho was a lawyer specializing in criminal cases.

However, since he was not a judge or prosecutor, he did not receive any big, lucrative cases.

Most of the cases that came in were small ones that didn’t make any money.

Attorney Jeong continues speaking in an excited voice.

“Now that all those incompetent people are out, where will people leave their cases? They won’t leave them to skilled lawyers like me. It always hurt my stomach that people with no skills at all get paid dozens of times more than me, but now it’s finally becoming normal.”

Although Attorney Jeong had a strong ego, he was also quite capable.

Among non-professional criminal lawyers, he had a fairly high success rate.

But no matter how good his skills were, he couldn’t beat lawyers who had previously been prosecutors.

They were the kind of people who could resolve any difficult situation with a few phone calls or a meal through their connections.

No matter how hard people like him tried, it was impossible to catch up with them.

“But what about the prosecutors who have already retired? Shouldn’t we match their expected earnings?”

Attorney Jang becomes furious at the office manager’s thoughtless question.

“Expected income! Isn’t it strange that people who retired as judges and prosecutors have taken hundreds of millions of won a year?”

When Attorney Jang gets angry, the office manager flinches and scratches his head awkwardly as he apologizes.

“Oh, that’s right… I’m sorry, Attorney.”

“Anyway, from now on, it’s an era where real skills will be the deciding factor. Manager, from now on, don’t be stingy with your publicity. We’ll be eating up all the expensive criminal cases! And you know what? Who earns as much as I earn?”

If Attorney Jang earns a lot, the office manager’s salary will naturally increase as well.

The office manager starts working quickly at the news of a pay raise.

* * *

At an urgent drinking party organized by former Prosecutor General and lawyer Heo Min-seong, criticism of President Kim Jung-guk pours out.

“Does this make sense? If we do this, how are we supposed to live? It’s not even a bill yet, it’s just an emergency presidential measure, and people are all backing out!”

“Our workload has been reduced significantly. Since the president said that, we have already taken a step back and decided to find another lawyer.”

“The place I work at also said that I would only be working until the end of this year and that I would have to leave next year.”

Just then someone opens the sliding door and comes in.

The person who came in was none other than Heo Min-seong.

In fact, he was the most senior person to have retired from this position, so he was the one who took on the leadership role in this group.

“Mr. President! Are you here?”

When Heo Min-seong enters, everyone stands up from their seats.

Heo Min-seong gestures with his hand for them to sit down, but the lawyers, who are former prosecutors in particular, bow their heads at a 90-degree angle and sit down.

The sight almost reminded me of a gangster.

Heo Min-seong went straight to the top seat and sat down.

As soon as he sits down, he empties a glass of liquor on the table, then roughly puts the glass down on the table and speaks to the people.

“Kim Jung-guk, isn’t this going too far? Everyone, who is the owner of this country?”