CH103 | VOC

Park Jong-bum disliked Kim Min-sik.

It hadn’t always been this way. Initially, he felt a sense of camaraderie, even pity, for the man who had, like him, been betrayed by the company he trusted and fallen from grace. He also appreciated Kim’s competence and efficiency.

But as Kim Min-sik rose in prominence, Park Jong-bum’s resentment grew.

He had argued against keeping Kim, citing his untested loyalty and potential for future problems, but the real reason was jealousy.

He hadn’t thought much of it when Park Sol divided Chunha Trading into the “white” and “black” divisions. But as the black division grew in power and influence, with Kim Min-sik at the forefront, his jealousy intensified.

Park Sol considered the white division the primary force and the black division expendable. Park Jong-bum, as a close confidant of the white division, tried to convince himself that his unease wasn’t jealousy, but it was.

Kim Min-sik, the president of Hanho Savings Bank, shaking the Korean financial world, versus Park Jong-bum, a mere director of Chunha Trading, handling the less glamorous tasks of the foundation and the secondhand goods business.

The disparity was evident in their current conversation.

“You’re saying CEO Baek is planning to abandon Hanho Savings Bank?”

“Yes. Haven’t you noticed? Hanho’s business practices, the ruthless debt collection… Other banks aren’t doing that because they’re ignorant. They operate with a long-term perspective. Hanho’s recovery rate is high now, and the borrowers are afraid of them, but once the crisis is over, they’ll face retaliation. Baek In-hwi will dispose of Hanho Savings Bank before that happens. A recovered bank will fetch a high price, and the new owner will replace the management team. What do you think will happen to you then?”

“…I’ll be fired.”

“Correct.”

Kim Min-sik glared at Park Jong-bum, who clapped his hands in response.

“…Can you back up your claims?”

Park Jong-bum smiled, but he was seething inside.

He wanted to shout, “Even Joongang Investment Corporation, the majority shareholder of Hanho Savings Bank, is just our subsidiary! I’m a major shareholder of the parent company with a 1.5% stake!” But he couldn’t.

Why should he be subservient to Kim Min-sik, who had risen to his position by sheer luck?

He had been Park Sol’s right-hand man since the beginning of Chunha Trading, handling all the dirty work.

From electronic scrap to secondhand goods and donation boxes, he had been involved in every aspect of the business. He had fought alongside Park Sol in China, manipulated samples, and experienced everything Chunha Trading had gone through. But Kim Min-sik was just a newcomer.

But then again, Kim Min-sik was an outsider, unaware of their true nature. He, Park Jong-bum, was Park Sol’s closest confidant, privy to all their secrets. It was shameful to be jealous of someone based on their outward appearance.

That’s why he had come here.

‘What kind of person is he? Is he worthy of my jealousy? Is he truly content with being an attack dog?’

It was pathetic for a commander to be jealous of a soldier simply following orders.

If Kim Min-sik truly was content with his role, Park Jong-bum would acknowledge his own jealousy and let it go.

“I’m not making this up. And here’s the most crucial evidence.”

Park Jong-bum smiled.

“Has Hanho Savings Bank made any real profit since the acquisition? Do you know why we’re driving companies to bankruptcy? And do you know Baek In-hwi’s ultimate goal? How long is he planning to keep this up?”

“…”

“A true partner or a trusted subordinate shares the leader’s vision and works towards a common goal. This ‘do as I say’ approach is not how a superior treats a subordinate.”

Park Jong-bum smirked.

“That’s how a master treats a slave.”

An army would crumble if the soldiers questioned their orders and challenged their commanders.

Park Sol and Park Jong-bum wanted Kim Min-sik to be a soldier, an attack dog, not a strategist.

“You were chosen because you’re expendable. Does it make sense to appoint a complete stranger as the president of a bank with tens of trillions of won in assets? It’s always wise to strike first. It’s not too late.”

Park Jong-bum, his tongue unusually smooth, waited for Kim Min-sik’s reaction with an excited expression.

“You seem to know a lot about CEO Baek In-hwi.”

“I’ve heard some stories while working in China.”

“Tell me more. I haven’t made up my mind yet. What do you know? What’s your basis for these claims?”

Park Jong-bum began reciting his prepared script.

“Baek In-hwi is a member of a triad faction that’s been losing ground in recent power struggles. He decided to expand into Korea to recover his losses. His goal is to make a quick fortune. In these times, power struggles are all about money. Hanho Savings Bank and…”

“…me,” Kim Min-sik finished his sentence.

Park Jong-bum smiled.

“Yes, you. You have no backing, no connections, you’re the perfect pawn. And the most crucial factor: Baek In-hwi is Chinese, and you’re Korean. He has nothing to lose. If this continues, you’ll become Korea’s public enemy.”

Kim Min-sik closed his eyes and thought for a moment.

“So you’re asking me to betray CEO Baek?”

“It’s not betrayal, it’s a counterattack. Do you want to go back to how you used to be?”

Kim Min-sik’s eyes wavered at the word “used to be.”

“No, it’ll be even worse. You’ll be a traitor to your own people.”

“Before that happens…”

“We strike first. It’s not wrong to protect your own interests.”

Kim Min-sik narrowed his eyes.

“Why should I believe you?”

“Of course, it’s hard to believe just words. I have proof. But first…”

Park Jong-bum pointed at Kim Min-sik’s phone.

“You contacted Joongang Investment Corporation before coming here, didn’t you?”

Kim Min-sik had called Joongang Investment Corporation in front of Park Jong-bum before entering the room, as a warning.

“…”

“It’s been 20 minutes. They should be arriving soon. Our conversation will end when they arrive.”

Park Jong-bum smiled.

“How about a more in-depth conversation? Tell them to go back.”

He cast his final bait and watched Kim Min-sik, who was deep in thought.

‘Will he take it or not?’

As he was trying to persuade Kim Min-sik, he had also considered what he would do if he were in Kim’s shoes. But the conclusion was always the same:

Betrayal.

He didn’t know Baek In-hwi, he had never even seen his face.

There was no loyalty between them, just a transactional relationship.

Kim Min-sik, after a long silence, took out his phone and made a call.

“Yes, it’s me. Sorry to bother you so late. It’s nothing, so you don’t have to come.”

‘He took the bait!’

* * *

“So this is how it ends.”

I said with a sad expression to Park Jong-bum, who had just returned from his meeting with Kim Min-sik.

“It’s a shame. I thought he was a decent person.”

Maru also looked disappointed.

“This is disheartening.”

“I might have pushed him too hard, but that’s who he is. It’s rare to find someone truly loyal to a shadowy figure like Baek In-hwi.”

I also wondered if we had been too harsh, but I understood Park Jong-bum’s caution.

He took out a recorder.

“Kim Min-sik will submit a report recommending Chunha Trading for investment, proposing at least 200 billion won. He agreed to receive 5 billion won in return. This is the recording of our conversation today.”

I listened to the recording, still feeling a tinge of regret for Kim Min-sik, but it was as Park Jong-bum had said.

Kim Min-sik had asked him about Baek In-hwi, and Park Jong-bum had fed him a fabricated story.

And then they had made a deal.

“This is irrefutable evidence. We’ll fire him as soon as he submits the report. And we’ll press charges. And then we’ll have to find someone to replace him. Good work, Director Park.”

“It was nothing.”

I leaned back on the sofa and sighed.

“It’s so difficult to find trustworthy people. This is always a problem…”

We needed trustworthy people for our shady dealings, and now Kim Min-sik, our “mad dog,” was gone. I felt a sense of loss.

“I liked his ruthlessness, his craziness… It’s a shame. If he had passed this test, I was planning to put him in charge of Joongang Investment Corporation too.”

Park Jong-bum’s words were 90% truth and 10% lies, a classic con.

Everything except the fabricated story was true, but the key was that Kim Min-sik had heard it from someone other than Baek In-hwi.

A hunting dog shouldn’t be swayed by another master’s treats.

If he had passed the test, he would have been promoted from a pawn worried about being abandoned to a valuable asset. It was a shame.

“Well, what’s done is done. Let’s focus on finding a replacement.”

But days passed, and Kim Min-sik’s report didn’t arrive.

“What’s going on? He said he would do it immediately. Director Park, did you contact him?”

Park Jong-bum said with a troubled expression,

“I don’t know. I could reach him yesterday, but not today.”

“Go and meet him. We can’t wait forever.”

“Yes, sir.”

Just then, Maru burst into the office.

“Hyung! We have a problem!”

“What is it?! You’re giving me a heart attack, barging in like that!”

Maru, ignoring my complaint, said breathlessly,

“This is more important! We’re being audited by the National Tax Service!”

“What? The National Tax Service?!”

Park Jong-bum and I rushed out of the office. The employees were arguing with the tax officials.

I said with a dumbfounded expression,

“What’s going on? A tax audit?!”

I had transferred all the dirty money and cleaned up Chunha Trading, so I wasn’t worried. But no business owner enjoyed a tax audit.

There was always the possibility of human error.

I approached the tax official.

“What is the meaning of this?! Our company received an award from the Ministry of Labor and was granted a one-year exemption from tax audits!”

We had recently received a model taxpayer award from the Minister of Labor for actively hiring the underprivileged and disabled.

Companies and individuals who received this award were exempt from tax audits for one year, so this was even more baffling.

“Well, we received a report…”

“I don’t care! The one-year exemption is mandated by law!”

“I know, but there are exceptions.”

“Exceptions?”

The tax official hesitated and then said,

“Investigations into circular equity structures are not exempt…”

I said with a dumbfounded expression,

“Circular equity structures? That’s something large corporations do, transferring shares between their subsidiaries. Why are we being investigated for that?”

The tax official said awkwardly,

“I’m just following orders… Please excuse me.”

“But… what…”

As everyone stood there, stunned, a cheerful middle-aged man approached us, waving his hand.

“Hello everyone! How are you doing?”

It was Kim Min-sik, the bank president.

It was the dramatic first meeting between the shadowy figure behind the Korean financial world, Baek In-hwi, and his attack dog, Kim Min-sik. But Kim Min-sik walked past me, my jaw agape, and put his arm around Park Jong-bum’s shoulder.

“P-President Kim Min-sik! What is the meaning of this?”

Kim Min-sik whispered to the bewildered Park Jong-bum, his eyes filled with murderous intent,

“You messed with the wrong person. I told you you wouldn’t be able to handle the consequences, didn’t I? Prepare to die. I’ll show you why they call me a mad dog.”