Codename Anastasia Novel (End) - Chapter 59

Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, Public Security Division 1.

Prosecutor Seok Jaehee’s office was bustling with preparations for trial. They were awaiting the 5th hearing of the first trial against Kim Younghee, who had resided in the United States for over ten years, laundered her nationality, and then returned to Korea to conduct covert operations, and her contact, Lee Cheoljin. With the core figure of the case, Kim Younghee, dying during her apprehension, the trial showed signs of concluding earlier than expected.

As such, it was time to finalize Lee Cheoljin’s sentencing. Prosecutor Seok was deeply engrossed, repeatedly flipping through the stacks of documents on his desk. A prosecutor’s requested sentence heavily influenced the final verdict. It was crucial to clearly establish the crime and impose punishment commensurate with the offense, ensuring neither side felt wronged. It was a simple principle, yet difficult to adhere to.

He was reviewing past precedents when a knock sounded, and Chief Clerk Kim entered.

“Here are the materials you asked for.”

Handing over the requested overseas cases, he asked, “Have you heard anything?” Only then did Prosecutor Seok look up and fix his gaze on Chief Clerk Kim. The clerk came a little closer and whispered, “I ran into Chief Park from Public Security Division 2 on my way here. You know that NIS agent who assisted us with the joint investigation last time? It seems an arrest warrant has been issued for him.”

“What’s the charge?”

“It sounds like he colluded with a Russian intelligence agent. Treason, perhaps?”

Prosecutor Seok also remembered Kwon Taekjoo. They had collaborated on the Kim Younghee investigation for three or four months. He hadn’t met him many times in person, so he had no basis to gauge Kwon Taekjoo’s character, patriotism, or integrity, let alone any personal acquaintance. Still, it didn’t make sense. How could the man who personally apprehended Kim Younghee’s group now be pursued on charges of leaking state secrets?

“Tell me more.”

“I didn’t hear it properly myself, but… apparently, after apprehending Kim Younghee’s group in Busan, he immediately left for Russia. He applied for leave from the NIS, claiming it was for his mother’s birthday, and completely disguised his identity. Given that an arrest warrant was issued, the evidence of his collusion must be clear, right?”

Now that he thought about it, he hadn’t seen Kwon Taekjoo once since the case concluded. All necessary documents were delivered directly from the NIS.

Often, the perpetrators of public security cases turn out to be unexpected individuals. Kwon Taekjoo was no exception. However, he was more curious and suspicious about what highly classified national secrets Kwon Taekjoo had so hastily sold off.

Another knock echoed. As there was no particular prior appointment, Prosecutor Seok looked at Chief Clerk Kim questioningly. He, too, shrugged as if not knowing who it could be.

“Yes.”

With his permission to enter, the door opened. The face that greeted them, “Hello,” was quite familiar. Perhaps it was because they had just been talking about Kwon Taekjoo. It was his junior, Yoon Jongwoo, who often appeared accompanied by Kwon Taekjoo.

“Ah, yes. Hello. But what brings you here…?”

“I apologize for intruding when you must be busy preparing for the trial, but there’s something I need to ask.”

“Oh? Please, come in.”

Even with the invitation to enter, Yoon Jongwoo hesitated outside the door. He glanced at Chief Clerk Kim with a troubled expression, seemingly wishing to speak privately.

Prosecutor Seok immediately stood up and put on his jacket. Although he had mountains of work still to process, it felt wrong to simply turn away someone who had made the effort to visit.

“I’ll be back in 30 minutes.”

After informing Chief Clerk Kim, he left the office with Yoon Jongwoo.

The two entered a cafe near the prosecutor’s office. It was late morning, so there were hardly any people. Still, Yoon Jongwoo specifically headed for a secluded table inside. His constant vigilance made Prosecutor Seok even more curious about the reason for his visit. As soon as he got their drinks, he asked first, “Now, tell me. What’s going on?”

“I heard Kim Younghee committed suicide.”

Prosecutor Seok cocked his head at Yoon Jongwoo’s first words. Kim Younghee had died over three months ago. There was no way Yoon Jongwoo, the investigator in charge, wouldn’t know that fact. Why, then, was he bringing up such an old story? It was puzzling, but he nodded readily. “Yes. As you know, she died during apprehension. They say she was already dead when the Coast Guard arrived at the ferry.”

“What’s the basis for concluding Kim Younghee’s death was a suicide?”

“The autopsy results indicated that Kim Younghee applied physical force to her left molar just before her death. Cyanide was detected in that molar. It seems she had cyanide embedded in a special material that breaks when a certain pressure is applied, as a contingency for failed operations.”

“What about the handkerchief?”

“Handkerchief?”

“Senior Kwon said he put a handkerchief in Kim Younghee’s mouth to prevent such self-harm. Her right hand, wounded by a gunshot, was almost useless, and her left arm was bent backward and tied to the railing, so it would have been difficult for her to remove the handkerchief from her mouth on her own. Her mouth would have been full, preventing her from biting down on her molar.”

“I received no report of a handkerchief being found at the scene.”

Yoon Jongwoo’s face hardened. Prosecutor Seok’s expression also became serious. If, as Yoon Jongwoo said, Kim Younghee was unable to move voluntarily and had been gagged, and if she was still alive when Kwon Taekjoo was on the ferry… When and how could she have attempted suicide? This was information not confirmed in the secured CCTV footage.

There was only one possible inference: the presence of a third party. There was a slight gap between Kwon Taekjoo pursuing the escaping Lee Cheoljin and the Coast Guard arriving at the ferry. Although it was only a few minutes, it was enough time to cause Kim Younghee’s death. Of course, this only held true if Kwon Taekjoo had taken definitive measures to prevent Kim Younghee from harming herself.

“So, you’re suggesting the possibility of Kim Younghee’s murder?”

“I think it’s worth re-examining. The handkerchief disappeared without a trace, Kim Younghee died right before apprehension of all times, and the fact that what she stole was top-secret information that high-ranking officials couldn’t even access… it just feels unsettling.”

“We concluded that the army officer, who was in an illicit relationship with Kim Younghee, provided that information, didn’t we? He also jumped to his death after being summoned, making it difficult to get a confession. Considering that they were both operatives, their attempt to commit suicide after a failed operation isn’t entirely incomprehensible.”

“Hmm… then, did you happen to see that ring?”

“What ring are you talking about?”

“Wasn’t Kim Younghee wearing a ring?”

“No. I haven’t received any report about that either.”

The handkerchief, the ring—these were all entirely new to him. The trial had proceeded from the beginning by excluding such elements. If Yoon Jongwoo’s words were true, all the effort and time invested in the trial so far would be in vain.

“So, what you’re trying to say is…”

“What if someone manipulated this case?”

“Manipulation? Are you saying the defendants were unjustly framed?”

“No. Rather, there might be other parties involved in the case. The deceased army officer’s claim that he was unrelated to the covert operations might be true, after all. Someone else might have leaked the secrets to Kim Younghee.”

Yoon Jongwoo repeatedly hinted at new possibilities. To be precise, it was closer to a conspiracy theory. Prosecutor Seok also thought the timing of this case was uncanny. Kim Younghee, who had successfully hidden her identity for years, attempted contact too hastily. It was barely two months since the investigation began. During that process, the army officer suspected of being in an illicit relationship with her committed suicide, and she, too, made an extreme choice. With the exception of Lee Cheoljin, all the key figures in the case had vanished.

However, no matter how unsettling it was, for now, it was just an unsubstantiated imagination. Without physical evidence, it was as if it hadn’t happened.

“Even if there’s only one truth, dozens, even hundreds of claims always emerge. People have different interests and perspectives, so disputes never cease. The talk of a disappeared handkerchief or ring is ultimately just someone’s unilateral assertion. If you need my help, bring more conclusive evidence.”

He drew a clear line. He had to decide Lee Cheoljin’s sentence at the hearing a few days later. If Yoon Jongwoo brought decisive evidence before that, he would certainly uncover the truth, even if it meant all the time and effort put in so far would be wasted. But if not, he could never go along with it.

Yoon Jongwoo nodded as if he understood. His face looked visibly dejected.

“If there’s nothing more, I’ll be going first.”

Prosecutor Seok immediately rose. Yoon Jongwoo quickly followed suit and bowed. Prosecutor Seok returned the silent greeting, then, for some reason, walked not towards the exit but towards Yoon Jongwoo. He walked past a puzzled Yoon Jongwoo and headed to a seat behind him. There sat a man with his hat pulled low. Even with his head bowed, making his face barely visible, Prosecutor Seok spoke without hesitation.

“I just heard an arrest warrant has been issued. I haven’t received an official request for cooperation yet, so I’ll let it go this time. But if we meet again next time, I’ll have no choice but to arrest you. Personally, I hope that won’t happen.”

He warned him in a low voice. There was no discernible response from the man. Prosecutor Seok gazed down at the man for a moment, then turned and left the cafe.

Yoon Jongwoo slumped back into his seat. “Senior, I think we’ve been found out?” he said, turning around as if asking what to do. The man sitting with his back to Yoon Jongwoo was none other than Kwon Taekjoo. Prosecutor Seok had recognized him early on but had not attempted to apprehend him. This was tantamount to Prosecutor Seok agreeing with Yoon Jongwoo’s—or more accurately, Kwon Taekjoo’s—doubts. If physical evidence was secured, he would move according to the law at any time.

Of course, beyond his request, irrefutable evidence was needed to clear his name.

“First, you go back to headquarters. With an arrest warrant out, it won’t do any good for you to keep sticking with me.”

“What about you, Senior? What if you get a random search…?”

Kwon Taekjoo roughly swept his hand across Yoon Jongwoo’s pale face. A sudden rush of blood made his entire face flush. Yoon Jongwoo cried out, covering his face. “Just take care of yourself, kid. I’ll figure out a way to live my own life.” He even gave his admirable junior a firm rub on the back of his neck. Yoon Jongwoo’s wails continued endlessly.

Kwon Taekjoo’s mother stood by the sink with a blank expression. The rice in the bowl had swollen plump. She had been lost in thought for hours, having started to cook rice for her son.

Suddenly regaining her senses, she mechanically moved her hands again. Then, as if on an impulse, she rushed into the master bedroom.

Looking at her charging phone, she saw a message had arrived. With trembling hands, she checked the received message. However, it was spam, not the call she had been waiting for so eagerly. For about three months now, she had no idea if her only son was alive or dead.

“……”

Her despair lasted only a moment, then she resolutely shook herself and stood up. She grabbed a coat and hastily left the house. She had different shoes on each foot.

She passed by neighbors who greeted her, asking “Where are you going?” without hearing them. She didn’t even realize that someone was watching her.

A little later, Kwon Taekjoo’s mother arrived at the nearby police station. The police officers immediately showed discomfort upon her arrival. A junior officer, noticing her, approached and said, “You’re here.”

“Have you found my son?”

Kwon Taekjoo’s mother desperately clutched the officer’s arm. The officer merely smiled awkwardly at the recurring situation. “Please, have a seat here,” he said, guiding her to a nearby table. A sergeant watching brought her a glass of warm water.

However, Kwon Taekjoo’s mother continued to press them, looking at the two with agitated eyes.

“I asked if you found my son.”

“Ah, well… we’re trying. But as we told you before, when an adult disappears without contact, we lean more towards them running away than being missing. Especially since he’s your son…”

“He’s not that kind of child! We talked on the phone every single day. No matter what happened, he always answered, even if it was late. He wouldn’t just disappear without a word!”

“Yes, of course. But Madam. Your son didn’t tell you anything properly, did he? The community center where he claimed to work says they have no such employee, and we couldn’t even find anyone with the same name after searching all the local government employee registries. You saw it yourself, didn’t you?”

The officer calmly tried to persuade her. But Kwon Taekjoo’s mother repeatedly denied it, insisting it couldn’t be true.

“There must have been a mistake. Something bad must have happened to him, for sure. You can just track his phone’s location, can’t you? Maybe his phone is back on by now. Hurry, do it! Hurry!”

“Madam, please calm down. First, drink some water…”

“You said you’d find my son! Find him quickly! Find my son!”

With her agitated movements, the water glass flew off. Fearing she might get hurt, they grabbed her arms, and she struggled even more frantically. The restraining officers were pushed away and scratched.

The sergeant, watching with displeasure, waved off the other officers. Then, he thrust a printout towards Kwon Taekjoo’s panting mother.

“Madam, look at this. This is your son, isn’t it?”

Kwon Taekjoo’s mother, who had casually glanced at the printout, widened her eyes. She shook off the officers who were holding her and snatched the printout. The print quality wasn’t great, but it clearly showed Kwon Taekjoo’s picture. She nodded several times.

“Yes, it’s my son. Did you find him?”

“That’s why he cut off contact. Your son, Madam, is a wanted criminal.”

“…What?”

“You don’t understand what I’m saying? Kwon Taekjoo committed a crime. He wasn’t captured by bad people; he committed a bad deed and ran away himself. How are we supposed to find someone who intentionally went into hiding?”

His last words were almost a soliloquy.

Kwon Taekjoo’s mother stood blankly, shaking her head. Her unfocused eyes blinked convulsively. “That can’t be…”

“Yes. ‘My child wouldn’t do such a thing,’ everyone says. Anyway, your son is currently on the run for a serious crime. You shouldn’t be asking us to find him; you should find him yourself and bring him in. If you get in touch with him, tell him to surrender and see the light.”

He rattled off words without giving anyone nearby a chance to intervene. Kwon Taekjoo’s mother was completely stunned, as if she had been hit by a bomb. She only repeated “That can’t be,” occasionally groaning.

After a long while, she stumbled and turned away. Concerned glances followed her. Sure enough, she collapsed before even stepping out the door.

“Madam!”

“Oh, call 911!”

“What are you staring at blankly? Quickly, over here!”

The flustered police officers shouted chaotically. Someone called 911, and a few moved the collapsed woman to a bench. They wet a handkerchief and placed it on her forehead, and urgently massaged her limbs to help blood circulation. The ambulance arrived about ten minutes later.

Kwon Taekjoo’s mother was loaded into the ambulance unconscious. A police officer accompanied her to the hospital in place of a guardian. The ambulance, with its flashing lights, quickly left the station.

Even as the blaring siren faded into the distance, someone remained at the spot. It was Kwon Taekjoo. He had been loitering outside his mother’s house, worried about her, and had just followed her when she came out. Since wanted individuals were usually watched through their close contacts, he had planned to watch from a distance and then leave.

His mother was a person who couldn’t sleep soundly due to worrying about her son, so he hadn’t expected her to be doing well. Still, he never imagined he would witness her being carried out on a stretcher. It infuriated him that he had to watch helplessly, despite having committed no crime.

He pulled down the brim of his hat further. Kwon Taekjoo’s fists, moving with quick, firm steps, were white. There was one more reason he had to uncover the truth.

He immediately found an internet cafe. He went to the most secluded seat and logged into the shooting game Yoon Jongwoo enjoyed. As soon as he logged in with Yoon Jongwoo’s ID, a message arrived. It was from Yoon Jongwoo, sent via another ID. He permanently deleted the content as soon as he confirmed it. Then, he left the place less than five minutes after entering.

Kwon Taekjoo reappeared at a subway station. He mingled with the throngs of disembarking passengers, then broke away from the crowd. As he walked through a sparsely populated underpass, he saw homeless people gathered in twos and threes. They chattered amongst themselves, seemingly indifferent to strangers, yet subtly wary. He walked past them and stopped in front of a man lying on a spread-out newspaper.

On the man’s spot was a tattered “Bacchus” box. All it contained were a few coins. As instructed, Kwon Taekjoo pulled out a wad of bills, and the man shot up. He then snatched the money, which Kwon Taekjoo was about to put in the box, and openly counted the amount.

Soon, the man handed over a black plastic bag that he had been using as a pillow. As Kwon Taekjoo silently accepted it, the man flopped back down as if his business was concluded.

He opened the bag and checked its contents first. It contained a burner phone, ginseng drink, and a memo written on a torn corner of a newspaper, all as requested.

He opened the ginseng drink cap while walking. A sealed external memory stick was attached to the inside of the cap. He detached it, inserted it into the phone’s slot, and checked the saved data. The necessary files were neatly organized. He tucked the phone into his pocket and hurried out of the underpass.

A short while later, he boarded an express bus bound for Taebaek. There was someone he needed to meet before making his next move. During the journey, he re-examined the investigation materials related to Kim Younghee on the memory stick.

Kim Younghee went to Japan via China when she turned twenty. The following year, she left for New York and stayed there for about ten years, laundering her nationality. Upon entry, her identity had been completely transformed into that of a second-generation immigrant.

The investigation into Kim Younghee had been an intelligence-led investigation from the start. Headquarters had obtained intelligence about her, and Kwon Taekjoo, as always, had been assigned the apprehension mission by his superiors. After tracking Kim Younghee’s SNS, emails, and other communication records, they were able to confirm the directives she had received from North Korea.

However, wiretapping or surveillance results do not hold legal effect as evidence. To prove Kim Younghee’s covert operation charges, direct evidence of her instructions had to be secured. It was a situation where they had caught the fish but couldn’t apprehend her due to a lack of proper evidence. Just then, Kim Younghee moved on her own. The investigation rapidly gained momentum, and they rushed to Busan, ambushing the scene where she was meeting Lee Cheoljin. Everything went smoothly.

But was it really so? Had he missed something important? The entire process, from realizing the operative’s existence to the investigation and apprehension, felt too easy. In contrast, the aftermath left a lingering sense of unease. Kim Younghee and the army officer committed suicide, and Kwon Taekjoo and Yoon Jongwoo, who were involved in the apprehension operation, couldn’t take responsibility for the case until the end due to different reasons. As a result, the case was handed over to the prosecution with some evidence missing. The more he thought about it, the more unsettling and questionable it became.

If one only looked at the report that Director Im had submitted in his stead, everything seemed to fit perfectly. The information Kim Younghee was trying to pass to Lee Cheoljin was a military secret, accessible only to a limited number of people. The deceased army officer was one of them and had a very intimate relationship with Kim Younghee. He claimed his innocence until the end, but the report presumed he committed suicide due to being unable to withstand psychological pressure, given his high social status. There was no particular room for suspicion or evidence. Even the parties who could refute it had disappeared. At that point, he even began to wonder if he was simply misunderstanding things.

The bus reached its destination in three hours. The surroundings were already dark. From there, he had to go a considerable distance further to the address Yoon Jongwoo had given him. The bus, which only ran twice a day, had already stopped running, so he decided to take a taxi.

It was only after agreeing to pay extra to the driver, who looked troubled at the address, that they could depart. The taxi left the city and drove for a long time on winding mountain roads. Just when it seemed to reach the peak, it would descend just as far, driving without rest.

When the navigation announced its termination, the surroundings were in complete darkness. “The address seems to be somewhere around here…” The taxi driver kept looking out the window with suspicious eyes. And for good reason; there wasn’t even a streetlamp visible, let alone any signs of human habitation. It was a remote, mountainous area where no one seemed to live. Nevertheless, Kwon Taekjoo paid the agreed-upon round-trip fare and got out of the car.