Volume 4: Counterattack: Bright Star Road Chapter 235 Setting an Example for Interns
In the morning, with the sound of an alarm, Yuan Xudong woke up from a deep sleep, rubbed his eyes, got up from the bed, stretched his limbs and waist, walked to the window and opened the curtains. It was sunny outside, the sun was rising, and rays of sunlight shone into the room, warming Yuan Xudong's body. He wanted to go back to bed and continue sleeping. It would be even better if there was a charming beauty in his arms to enjoy.
In order to return to the main world as soon as possible to enjoy life, Yuan Xudong cheered up, washed his face and brushed his teeth, changed into formal clothes, and adjusted his hair and tie in front of the floor-length mirror. After making sure that there was nothing wrong, he waited until eight o'clock in the morning, took his black briefcase and walked out of the house to go to work at the Criminal Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office. The door of the apartment next door just happened to be opened, and Mali Dun, dressed in a black professional suit, walked out of the room, wearing big sunglasses and looked at Yuan Xudong a little embarrassedly:
"Good morning, neighbor, are you going to work?"
"Well, good morning!"
After greeting each other, the two walked towards the elevator together. Malidun pressed the down button. Perhaps because of the misunderstanding last night, neither Yuan Xudong nor Malidun wanted to talk. For a moment, the atmosphere in the elevator seemed a bit dull and depressing, and the time waiting for the elevator became longer. Considering that they were neighbors after all, they would see each other every day in the future. Yuan Xudong looked at Malidun and took the initiative to ease the relationship and said:
"Hello, I was rude last night. It was really rude. I apologize to you!"
"It's okay, it's okay. You didn't do anything wrong. Why are you apologizing to me?"
Seeing Yuan Xudong apologizing politely, Mali Dun felt a little embarrassed. She took off her sunglasses, looked at Yuan Xudong, bowed her head, and introduced herself:
"Hello, I'm sorry for being rude last night. I'm Ma Lidun, the prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office. Nice to meet you!"
Unexpectedly, his neighbor is also a prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office. Yuan Xudong immediately returned the greeting and said:
"Hello, I'm Yuan Xudong, a prosecutor from the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office. Nice to meet you!"
"You are also a prosecutor?"
"Yes, sorry!"
The elevator door opened, and Yuan Xudong and Mali Dun walked in together. Mali Dun pressed the first floor button, looked at Yuan Xudong curiously and said:
"I have worked at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office for seven years. How come I have no impression of you at all?"
"It's like this. I was a trainee prosecutor before and only started working officially this month. It's only been a week since I was transferred to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office. It's normal that you don't know me."
"A new prosecutor?"
Looking at the handsome and polite Yuan Xudong, Mali Dun coughed twice, cleared his throat, and asked in a senior tone:
"Which department do you work in? Are you used to it?"
"I work in the Second Criminal Division. I'm usually quite busy. I'm mainly responsible for some small cases and occasionally help supervise interns."
"Criminal Division II?"
The elevator door opened, and Yuan Xudong and Ma Lidun walked out of the elevator. Upon hearing that Yuan Xudong, a new prosecutor, was working in the Second Criminal Division, Ma Lidun said with envy:
"I have been working here for seven years, and every time I applied to be transferred to the Second Criminal Division, I was rejected. How can you, a new prosecutor, work in the Second Criminal Division? Do you have a backer?"
"No, it must be luck. The Second Criminal Division recruits new prosecutors every year, and I am one of the lucky ones."
"Yeah?"
Nodding slightly, Mali Dun smiled and said:
"I heard that the Criminal Division II only wants the best prosecutors, who either have a strong background or outstanding personal abilities. There are less than 2,000 prosecutors in the entire Republic of Korea, and most of them are ordinary civil servants, working from dawn to dusk to handle cases, no different from ordinary office workers. Only less than 1% of prosecutors are the most powerful, and can file cases to investigate members of Congress, chaebol families, high-ranking officials and other bigwigs. Minister Han of your Criminal Division II is one of them. Have you met him?"
"I've met him a few times. He's quite an impressive guy!"
Yuan Xudong looked at Mali Dun and said with a smile:
"But you are wrong about one thing. I think every prosecutor is the same. Although the scope of authority is different, the responsibilities and obligations given to us by the law are the same. If the evidence is conclusive, every one of us prosecutors can file a case to investigate those big shots you mentioned. In the Republic of Korea, we prosecutors are the real kings of criminal investigation, aren't we?"
"The King?"
Looking at the high-spirited Yuan Xudong, Mali Dun smiled and said:
"What if your superiors interfere with your investigation?"
" According to the laws of the Republic of Korea, the prosecution agency of the Republic of Korea implements the principle of the prosecutor-only system, that is, the prosecutor constitutes an independent administrative office. The prosecutor independently investigates the cases he is responsible for, makes independent judgments and decisions, and must bear the corresponding responsibilities. The entire case process, including prosecution, is completed in the name of the prosecutor himself, not in the name of the prosecution office. Therefore, the boss can only make suggestions on the case and has no right to change the decision of the chief prosecutor. If I insist and the evidence is conclusive, even the Minister of Justice or the President of the Republic of Korea has no right to interfere with my investigation results, right?"
"You really think so?"
"What do you think?"
Looking at Mali Dun, whose eyes widened slightly, Yuan Xudong smiled and said:
"It's not important what I think, what's important is the law. In my opinion, everyone is equal before the law. The high-ranking president and the half-naked beggar are at least equal before the law. Some people always complain about the unfairness of the law. In fact, it's not the law that is unfair, but the people who make and enforce the law are unfair. I can't make every prosecutor strictly uphold the dignity of the law, but I can do my best. Prosecutors are in a high position and have great power. This responsibility is given to me by the government and the people. If I can't serve the people, wouldn't the word prosecutor be the biggest humiliation to the entire judicial department?"
“Serve the people?”
Looking at Yuan Xudong bathing in the sun, Mali Dun smiled and said:
"It's a very lofty ideal. I will watch you. If you really do what you say, then you will be my idol for life. To be honest, I have worked in the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office for seven years and have met many prosecutors, judges, and lawyers, including myself, but I have never seen anyone who really wants to serve the people. You are the first. Do you really think so in your heart?"
"It doesn't matter what I think in my heart. What matters is what I did, not what I said. Those congressmen shouted slogans, but the more glamorous they appear on the surface, the more disgusting they become when their true colors are exposed."
“You hate congressmen?”
"No, I just hate the person I hate. It has nothing to do with who he is!"
"Okay, got it!"
Nodding slightly, Mali Dun looked at Yuan Xudong and said with a smile:
"Since you want to serve the people, I'll give you a ride. Want a ride?"
"Okay, thank you Prosecutor Ma!"
…
After arriving at the destination and waiting for Malidun to park the car, Yuan Xudong and her walked into the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office. Yuan Xudong went to the Criminal Department 2 and Malidun went to the Criminal Department 3. The two parted in the lobby and entered the Criminal Department 2. After saying hello to the colleagues he met, Yuan Xudong walked into his temporary office and began to deal with endless case materials, such as fights, brawls, drunken disturbances, etc. First-time offenders with minor circumstances were fined, and hooligans who refused to change their ways were arrested and administratively detained. He was a new prosecutor in the Criminal Department 2 and did not have his own office or team. For the time being, he could only handle these small cases that were easy to sentence.
While Yuan Xudong was sitting in his office reading a document and writing a sentencing conclusion, one or more criminal suspects were paying the corresponding price outside. This is the power of the prosecutor. As long as it can be justified, the fate of the criminal suspect is entirely decided by the prosecutor.
To give a very simple example, the suspect harmed an innocent girl. The prosecutor can give the most severe sentence or the lightest sentence. After all, there is a seven-year gap between imprisonment of more than three years and less than ten years. If it is a little more excessive, the case will be temporarily shelved, and the prosecutor will be passive and negligent during the investigation, which will subtly help the suspect to get rid of the crime. It is not impossible that the victim will be sued for deliberately seducing the perpetrator.
In the eyes of some scum, the law is a tool and a weapon. They manipulate the law at will and harm the weak in a reasonable and legal way. They can spend billions of won on lawsuits and to smooth relations, but are unwilling to compensate the victims even one won more, because they feel they are innocent and that a crime without evidence or insufficient evidence is not a crime.
Dongdong～～
There was a knock on the door. Yuan Xudong looked up and saw Hong Zhengzhu, the chief prosecutor of the Criminal Division II, walking in with a smile on his face. He stood up from behind his desk and took the initiative to greet him:
"Prosecutor Hong!"
"Prosecutor Yuan, your office is ready and you can move in anytime. As for the team members, according to the tradition of prosecutors, you need to go to the Human Resources Department to select them in person."
"Okay, thank you, Prosecutor Hong. I'm so sorry to have to trouble you to come here in person for such a small matter!"
"It's okay. You got first place in the judicial examination, so you should get this preferential treatment!"
Hong Zhengzhu patted Yuan Xudong on the shoulder and said with a fake smile:
"Our Minister Han also ranked first in the judicial examination. According to tradition, the first place in the judicial examination has always been from our Criminal Division II. When Minister Han goes to the Supreme Procuratorate, maybe he will let you take his place!"
"Prosecutor Hong, you must be joking. I thought I was lucky to be admitted to the Criminal Division II. I didn't expect it was because I won the first place in the judicial examination. In fact, there is not much difference between me and the second and third place. Passing the judicial examination depends on strength, but getting the first place is pure luck."
"Sometimes luck is more important than strength. There are 2,000 prosecutors in the Republic of Korea, and there are even more if you add candidates and interns. The judicial examination is held once a year, and there is only one first place each time. One step ahead means you are always ahead. Compared to other newcomers, as long as you take steady steps, there will be many people who will be happy to help you. Our Minister Han is one of them."
After that, seeing Yuan Xudong looking thoughtful, Hong Zhengzhu patted him on the shoulder and said with a smile:
"Okay, you just need to know that our Criminal Division II is the ace among aces. I will tell you other things later. How about taking up a little of your time now and doing me a favor?"
"What's the matter?"
"Be a role model for those interns. Let them see what the real elites of our Criminal Division II are like. You are a top student in the law department of Seoul University, ranked first in the national judicial examination, and have a look and figure comparable to a top idol star. To be honest, I am a little jealous of you. Which woman can resist such an outstanding man?"
"Prosecutor Hong, you must be joking. I'm just a new prosecutor and I still have a lot to learn. You seniors are the backbone of the judicial community and the real elites of our Criminal Division II!"
"Come on, I'll take you to meet those interns!"
"good!"
Yuan Xudong followed Hong Zhengzhu out of the office and started to head to the National Institute of Scientific Investigation. On the way, Hong Zhengzhu turned and looked at Yuan Xudong and smiled:
"Prosecutor Yuan, do you have a girlfriend?"
"No!"
Shaking his head slightly, Yuan Xudong told the truth:
"I think Prosecutor Hong knows that I was born an orphan and grew up in an orphanage. I still owe the bank an education loan. It's not good for a girl to suffer with me. I'll wait two years before finding a suitable girlfriend!"
"How can this be possible?"
Hong Zhengzhu looked at Yuan Xudong and said with a smile:
"You are the poster boy of our Criminal Investigation Team 2. How would it look like if people knew that you have never been in a relationship and have never experienced a woman? How about this, I will arrange it tonight. I will introduce you to a few people and I guarantee you will be satisfied. How about that?"
"Prosecutor Hong, I..."
"Okay, it's decided. See you tonight!"
"Okay, then thank you, Prosecutor Hong!"
"You're welcome, it's just a small matter!"
…
Walking into the National Institute of Scientific Investigation, in an autopsy room, a row of men and women in formal attire with intern badges around their necks looked at Hong Zhengzhu and Yuan Xudong who had walked in and saluted in unison:
"Prosecutor!"
"Hello!"
Yuan Xudong bowed and saluted in return. Hong Zhengzhu beside him nodded expressionlessly and said:
"This is Prosecutor Yuan Xudong of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office. He is also the youngest official prosecutor in our Criminal Division II. He graduated from the Law Department of Seoul University and ranked first in the country in his first judicial examination. Our Criminal Division II only needs the best prosecutors. The weak ones will be eliminated. Did you understand?"
"Listen carefully, prosecutor!"
"very good!"
Glancing at the interns with satisfaction, especially the pretty girl at the end of the line, Hong Zhengzhu's eyes flashed with lust, then he looked at Yuan Xudong and smiled:
"Prosecutor Yuan, can you say something to them?"
"OK!"
Nodding slightly, Yuan Xudong took a few steps forward and saw a dozen interns of about his age staring at him intently. There was admiration, desire, and a hint of unwillingness to admit defeat in their eyes. Yuan Xudong smiled and said:
"Sometimes hard work doesn't always pay off. I don't know if you have ever stayed in an examination hall. It's a room of a few square meters where candidates study hard. Some live there for a year, some for three, five, or even ten years. Their goal is to pass the judicial examination and become a judge, lawyer, or prosecutor in the future. However, the passing rate for the judicial examination is only 3%. Do you know what this means?
A 3% passing rate means that no matter how hard the 100 people work, only three will be admitted, and the other 97 will be eliminated directly. The remaining three will have to go through a second and third round of screening. Even if a person passes the judicial examination the first time he takes it after graduating from college, he will still have to spend four years to successfully become a prosecutor, if there are no unexpected circumstances in between.
The fact that you can come to the Criminal Division II for internship proves that you are one in a million talents, but some of you will definitely be eliminated. It’s not that you are not good enough, but that prosecutors don’t need so many people. I hope you can do what you should do, maintain a good attitude, and stay elegant in the face of pressure. No matter whether you succeed or fail in the end, as long as you have done your best, that’s enough. Don’t complain if you fail, don’t be proud if you succeed, and manage your heart well. I believe that every good prosecutor has a strong heart. That’s all I want to say. Thank you for your precious time!"
