TLWSL 02

Chapter 02….

The Lawyer Who Sees the Light – Episode 002

Every time I enter the courtroom, a question arises in my mind.

They always say that the courtroom is where innocent people are exonerated, and where victims’ grievances are resolved. But, how should I put it…

It often feels like the phrase “No money, no justice; with money, justice” is true.

At times, it seems like a place where people can legally receive a pardon, depending on money and power.

I’m not trying to slander the court, but maybe it’s because of the case I’m handling—the youngest son of the Oseong Group.

Oseong Group’s Youngest Son.

Oh Yoon-gi, 22 years old.

He crashed into the Dongjak Bridge while driving under the influence and got entangled with brokers involved in military service corruption. He is now the defendant causing a stir in South Korea.

“His mouth is sharp, making things worse, though.”

When he stood in front of the photo line, I expected him to invoke his right to remain silent, as the Oseong Group’s legal team would likely have instructed him to do. But, he acted the opposite—like a crazy, reckless fool, wildly thrashing around.

For four days, the news had him as the main story, and naturally, Oseong Group’s stock price plummeted.

“It’s been a while since family issues triggered a VI (volatility index).”

In any case, Oseong Group wanted to show that family and management shouldn’t be linked.

Rather than using their in-house legal team, they outsourced the case to a law firm, Continent.

Unfortunately for me, I was assigned as the second lawyer on this case.

Primarily, the second lawyer’s job is to compile consultation records and understand the details, but since the lead attorney, Guk, was busy, I ended up taking on the responsibility of defining the evidential issues as well.

“Though other lawyers were involved, I was basically handling everything myself.”

Even though I was doing all the work, my salary stayed the same. I might get an incentive, but who knows.

Anyway, the trial that had dragged on for over two years was finally nearing its end.

“Finally, it’s the day for the final ruling.”

Just the thought of no longer having to listen to the defendant’s abusive language gave me some peace of mind.

“Cha Byun.”

“Yes.”

For the first time in a while, Guk, the lead attorney, scanned through the records.

“This isn’t the Cha Byun I know.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Drunk driving, he could have received a sentence of less than a year in prison with a suspended sentence.”

He tapped certain sections with his finger.

“Guk, lately, we’ve been applying the Widmark formula, so it might be hard for the defendant, Oh Yoon-gi, to receive a sentence of less than a year in prison.”

“Wouldn’t a request for a reduction in sentence work if it’s a case of not wanting punishment? If it’s a case of hit-and-run causing injury, the sentencing guidelines are between 6 months to 1.5 years.”

The defendant had prior convictions, and the victim had suffered serious injury.

“If he doesn’t get an enhanced punishment, I’ll be lucky, but asking for a reduction?”

Suppressing my incredulity, I had to answer Guk’s question.

“The victim did not express a desire to drop the charges.”

“Cha Byun. How many times have we been through this?”

Guk let out a deep sigh, which today sounded particularly chilling.

“You should have gone to the hospital multiple times and gotten the victim to withdraw the charges, by any means necessary.”

Before the first trial, I had communicated the desire for a settlement to the injured victim in the hospital.

I assured them that any company under Oseong Group would guarantee employment until retirement if they wanted a job, or if not, they could demand tens of billions in compensation.

But the victim, who had not received an apology from the defendant, wanted a severe punishment for him.

So, I wished the injured victim a speedy recovery and didn’t visit them again.

“Really, you’re supposed to be the ace of Continent’s high criminal team.”

Continent, the top law firm in South Korea.

Attorney Guk Ji-ham, who holds a share of Continent and works in the corporate legal team.

He pushed up his glasses slightly and, without emotion, stared at the court’s emblem.

“Let’s not embarrass the chairman of Oseong Group.”

His words were a sharp reprimand.

A clear indication of profound disappointment.

Sigh, I can’t stand this anymore.

Ever since I took this case.

The image of my mother, who passed away in a hit-and-run accident caused by a drunk driver ten years ago, haunted me.

Despite the overlap between the defendant, Oh Yoon-gi, and the defendant in my mother’s case.

I believed I had done everything a lawyer should do.

It might seem like I had avoided advocating for the defendant’s benefit in Guk’s eyes, but…

The bailiff announced that the trial would begin shortly.

The courtroom quickly grew quiet.

The judge entered.

The judge seated at the bench opened the microphone.

“On July 10, 2023, the case to be sentenced today is for violations of the Road Traffic Act (drunk driving) and bribery (military service corruption). The appellants are the prosecutor and the defendant. Let me state the reasons for the ruling.”

After a lengthy explanation, the final ruling was given.

“We hereby rule as follows. The bribery charge related to military exemption and other military service corruption is overturned, and the case is remanded to the Seoul High Court. Both the prosecutor’s and the defendant’s appeals are dismissed.”

The military corruption charge was dismissed.

The drunk driving charge was found guilty.

Even though he was found guilty, the court carefully reduced the sentence.

With a suspended sentence.

“Oseong Group’s youngest son must have been given special treatment.”

“A suspended sentence? Am I hearing this right?”

“They reduced the sentence for drunk driving and acquitted him of military service corruption? Is this even possible?”

The gallery became chaotic.

It was understandable.

Most people had expected a guilty verdict for both drunk driving and military corruption.

Clink.

Normally, Guk, who would have said something to acknowledge the effort, silently moved toward the defendant’s seat.

I also stood up from the defense table and approached the defendant, Oh Yoon-gi.

“Oh Yoon-gi, I’m sorry I couldn’t get you acquitted, but I got you a suspended sentence.”

Even though the sentence was a little too lenient, I remained humble since I hadn’t secured his acquittal.

I extended my hand to show appreciation for his efforts, but…

Even after some time, he didn’t acknowledge my hand and just glared at me.

Embarrassed, I pulled back my hand, and he twisted his lips.

“You’re useless.”

After that, he unleashed a stream of vulgar curses, and no one stepped in to stop him.

Not even my superior, Attorney Guk, or Oh Yoon-gi’s secretary, who instead cast accusatory glances at me.

I felt deeply wronged.

If I hadn’t done my job, it would have been one thing, but I had worked within the bounds of the law and had secured a suspended sentence. I couldn’t understand why I was being insulted.

“No, maybe there was never any reason needed.”

I was probably just a scapegoat.

As the insults rained down, the comment, “Did your mother boil seaweed soup after giving birth to someone like you?” made my grip on my bag tighten.

Oh Yoon-gi, who wasn’t lacking in awareness, dropped his voice to a chilling whisper, like a snake tightening its grip.

“You pissed off, huh?”

He grabbed my collar and whispered so only I could hear.

“You bastard, who are you to make me bribe the judge?”

“…!”

“Did he really buy the ruling with money?”

Guk’s earlier comment about the suspended sentence wasn’t just a passing remark.

“Does that mean I’ve been playing on a rigged game board for two years?”

Why was I even necessary then?

It wasn’t because of any personal pride.

This was an insult.

For a lawyer defending a defendant in court to be accused of buying a ruling with money—my dignity hit rock bottom.

I was being belittled, as if my efforts had no value.

Continent, the top law firm in South Korea, had apparently bribed the judge and set up the game.

“And I’m part of that firm.”

A wave of disgust surged through me.

I had been at Continent for work, but this was beyond what I could accept.

“You look shocked. You’ve done this kind of thing a few times at Continent, haven’t you? Speak up.”

Oh Yoon-gi’s sneer made me wonder, “Could something similar have happened with my mother’s case?”

I had considered that possibility, but I had still believed in the fairness of the court.

How naïve I was.

I hadn’t chosen this for some mission.

I pushed away Oh Yoon-gi’s hand and walked toward Guk.

Seeing his twitching eyebrows made me want to laugh.

“Cha Byun, what are you doing?”

What was I doing?

I was disgusted and couldn’t stand it anymore.

“I’m resigning.”