Chapter 387 |
The documents Team Leader Jung Gi-hong prepared and submitted neatly summarized the military supply and logistics corruption cases that had surfaced so far.
He'd been famous for his excellent PowerPoint presentations back in school, and his skills clearly hadn't dulled.
However, the sheer volume was overwhelming.
Bulletproof vests penetrated by bullets, combat boots with falling soles and leaks, combat uniforms with inflated costs, combat caps with Chinese products disguised as Korean, rifles with fabricated test evaluation reports, tank parts with forged test certificates, self-propelled artillery parts with used items disguised as new, armored vehicles with design flaws, inoperable sonar systems, and so on.
And it didn't end there. The budget waste was equally diverse.
Missile research and development funds were embezzled, fighter jet maintenance payments were siphoned off, and bribes were taken from companies supplying food materials.
The 5 billion won for developing the defense FPS would also be included in these cases of budget waste.
If this was just what had been exposed, how much more remained hidden?
Taekgyu nodded.
There was money to buy faulty weapons, but no money to raise soldiers' salaries. There was money to build golf courses for generals’ rounds, but no money to support injured soldiers.
After spending money on everything else, how could there possibly be any left?
The budget is a matter of priorities. If the money were truly essential, they would have found it, even if it meant scraping the bottom of the barrel. But they likely never even felt that necessity.
“And after all this, they just preach to the soldiers about sacrificing for the country and the people.”
“There’s nothing easier than shouting patriotism with words while doing nothing yourself.”
Merely distributing limited resources fairly and efficiently can boost a nation's growth rate. Conversely, corruption, like weevils in rice, silently eats away at the storehouse.
A major reason for the fall of once-prosperous Greece was government corruption. Eliminating the remaining corruption in Korean society could also raise its potential growth rate.
But it’s impossible to tackle every government department to eliminate corruption. There isn't enough manpower, and the entire civil service would resist.
The most efficient method is to make an example of one.
Thoroughly dismantle one errant organization, “soul and all,” and the others, witnessing it, will mend their ways.
“The Ministry of National Defense is perfect for this.”
“Why is that?”
“It has few connections to other departments, and it's good for attracting public attention.”
If one were to dig into corruption in the Ministry of Health and Welfare or the Ministry of Employment and Labor, people wouldn’t be very interested. But the Ministry of National Defense is a different story. Because it’s an organization most Korean men have served in at some point.
And since progressives value integrity and conservatives value security, legitimacy could also be secured.
“What are you going to do?”
“Wouldn’t inducing whistleblowing be the fastest way?”
Closed organizations have limits to external scrutiny. The best approach is for someone who knows the internal situation well to report it.
Whistleblowers have a positive effect by promoting public interest when they reveal illegalities and corruption within an organization. Therefore, protecting whistleblowers should be the principle, but in reality, they are often ostracized and driven out.
This is especially severe in the military. Whistleblowers can find themselves bogged down in lawsuits and complaints, or even face utter ruin.
So, to prevent that from happening…
“Righteous deeds should be adequately rewarded.”
***
“OTK Company will be accepting reports related to military supply and logistics corruption. Depending on the significance of the case, we will pay a reward of at least 100 million won up to 2 billion won and guarantee re-employment. Furthermore, we will provide legal support if you face lawsuits or legal action.”
The Ministry of National Defense was thrown into turmoil by the sudden announcement from PR Team Leader Jung Gi-hong.
Countless politicians had been ruined by getting entangled with Kang Jin-hoo. They had tried to stay on his good side as much as possible, partly due to their own wrongdoings during the previous administration, but Kang Jin-hoo had now drawn his sword directly at them.
An emergency meeting was convened at the Ministry of National Defense. Minister Bae Yeon-bong shouted in bewilderment.
“What is all this? Why is he suddenly doing this?”
“Perhaps he saw the comments the Cyber Command posted back then?”
He, too, had seen those comments.
It was no exaggeration to call it a sickening festival of various insults targeting parents. And they had received tax money for doing that, under the guise of cyber operations.
“Weren’t the people in charge back then arrested or dismissed?”
Of course, only a very few were punished; most just had their positions changed and continued working.
“Maybe it’s because it’s time for his reserve duty?”
“Or perhaps he’s angry because we offered too little for the game development costs.”
“How about we just give him what he wants now and commission the game?”
Regardless, the deed was done, and they couldn't just stand by.
The Ministry of National Defense issued directives to the entire military to prevent any internal whistleblowing. Immediately, all training in every unit was halted, and political education sessions were implemented.
Battalion and company commanders gathered their soldiers and firmly instructed them that whistleblowing was an act of betrayal against the military, undermined unit discipline, and that if there were any complaints, the principle was to handle them within the unit first.
While the political education officer was in the midst of his lecture, some officers and NCOs had other thoughts.
‘If I report just one good case, it’s like hitting the lottery.’
‘They’re guaranteeing reward money and re-employment.’
‘Maybe it’s better to take some flak and get the money…’
‘Isn’t it only the first one to speak up who profits?’
Minister of National Defense Bae Yeon-bong strongly voiced his dissatisfaction to the media.
“If you brand the Ministry of National Defense as a corrupt group like this, which soldier will serve with a sense of duty? Lowering military morale amidst growing North Korean provocations will pose a serious threat to national security.”
The Free People's Party also echoed this sentiment. Representative Yeon Nakyeong stated in the National Assembly:
“Security is life. Because of our military, we can be safe from North Korean threats. CEO Kang Jin-hoo's act of soliciting reports on military corruption weakens our military's strength and benefits the North Korean military. The government must step forward, state its position, and prevent such incidents from occurring.”
However, the public reaction was cynical.
- If you know security is so important, you guys go to the military first.
- LOL, what are these guys who haven't even served in the military talking about national defense for?
- Typical chickenhawks~
- Reminds me of that congressman who dodged military service by being 'missing in action' and then held up a thermos, shouting it was a bombshell.
- The kind of people who get their own sons exempted or assigned to cushy positions, while telling only the public to sacrifice.
- Send the sons of congressmen, ministers, and those damn generals to the front lines first!
The Blue House and the New Politics Party found themselves in an awkward situation.
They had come forward to eradicate corruption and irregularities under the banner of “liquidating past evils,” but if the defense corruption issue erupted again, the government and the ruling party could not avoid criticism.
Not only the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), but also the Military Mutual Aid Association and the Korean Veterans Association were in an uproar. These organizations, composed of active and retired military personnel, had long colluded with DAPA to secure various interests.
They had been identified as hotbeds of corruption multiple times but had never faced significant audits. And now, suddenly, Kang Jin-hoo had brought the issue to a head.
DAPA Administrator Lee Min-seok asked at an emergency meeting:
“What are the most prominent things DAPA could be caught for in terms of corruption?”
“There are so many, I don’t know where to begin…”
“…”
***
Prosecutor General Hwang Kyung-won secretly summoned the chief prosecutors.
The prosecution, possessing the power of investigation and indictment, was a formidable organization, and politicians and government departments feared it.
However, the Ministry of National Defense, which operated its own judicial system, was an exception.
It was no exaggeration to say that all citizens, regardless of conservative or progressive leanings, were disillusioned with the various incidents, accidents, and corruption related to the military.
But due to the unique situation of a divided country, the power wielded by the Ministry of National Defense in Korea was immense, and despite countless past corruption scandals, no one had dared to touch it.
But Kang Jin-hoo had stepped forward and taken direct aim.
Within the prosecution, various opinions were exchanged on how to proceed in this situation.
“Even so, the prosecution can’t investigate DAPA, which is under the Ministry of National Defense, can it?” Seoul Central District Prosecutor Ahn Seong-nam said.
“Then how about this?”
“What is it?”
“We investigate private companies in the defense industry.”
While other government agencies purchase goods through the Public Procurement Service, the Ministry of National Defense purchases separately through DAPA. For items like instant noodles or hardtack, product comparison is easy, and many companies participate in bidding, so there's less room for corruption.
However, for items like combat uniforms, combat boots, and backpacks, which are made to special specifications, there are only a few manufacturers.
The interesting fact was that even when corruption was detected, there were no sanctions. In principle, contracts with companies caught for corruption should be terminated, and they should be barred from future bidding.
But DAPA even created exception clauses and continued to award contracts. The stated reason was that no other companies were capable of producing items to the required specifications.
This is why corruption was rampant. If they investigated with determination, more than a few places would be caught.
“If we step in, the Ministry of National Defense won’t stay quiet.”
“What can they do if they don’t stay quiet? Surely they can’t defend defense industry corruption, can they?”
Prosecutor Ahn Seong-nam had never met Kang Jin-hoo directly, but he had met Vice President Oh Taekgyu. Thanks to that connection, they had been able to round up a gang involved in a socially problematic coin-based multi-level marketing scheme, receiving massive media spotlight and greatly enhancing the prosecution's prestige.
As Prosecutor General Hwang Kyung-won seemed to hesitate, Prosecutor Ahn Seong-nam strongly persuaded him.
“Our opponent is Kang Jin-hoo. Since Kang Jin-hoo started this, soon the attention of the whole nation, no, the whole world, will be focused here. We have to move now. Investigation is about momentum, momentum.”
At those words, Prosecutor General Hwang Kyung-won made up his mind.
“Alright. Form an investigation team and look into all the companies suspected of corruption.”
***
Kang Jin-hoo himself was an issue-maker. As expected, media outlets worldwide gave extensive coverage to this event.
Since few developed countries have conscription, this incident brought South Korea's conscription system into the spotlight anew.
- All Korean men go to the military? That's surprising.
- Even if it's conscription, does it make sense to employ people for that kind of salary?
- It's amazing Kang Jin-hoo was in the military for that pay.
- Korea is a developed country, so why don't they treat their soldiers properly?
- If they're sacrificing for the country, they should be paid accordingly.
***
A Taegeukgi, the South Korean flag, fluttered in front of the OTK Company headquarters. It was a common sight, nothing new, but this time, many participants were wearing military uniforms.
A retired general shouted into a microphone:
“Denounce Kang Jin-hoo, the pro-North commie!”
“Denounce! Denounce!”
Taekgyu, watching this, said to me.
“They’re calling you a commie.”
“Hmm.” There was no way the Ministry of National Defense would step up to eradicate corruption this time. They were all in cahoots anyway.
“These are the same arguments that always come up when investigating corporate accounting fraud or corruption.”
When the economy is good, they complain about hindering successful companies. When the economy is bad, they say we should revive the economy first, why harass companies.
Taekgyu tilted his head.
“Then when do you investigate corruption?”
“They’re saying, don’t do it.”
This was the same.
I had already anticipated they would resist, citing weakening defense capabilities, lowering military morale, security threats, and so on.
“There’s a solution for all this.”
“What are you going to do?”
“An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. And for a commie, a commie, right?”
***
The next day.
I deliberately got out of the car on the main street and walked to the company. As expected, waiting reporters immediately rushed over and thrust microphones at me.
“What are your thoughts?”
“What do you think about the concerns from the Ministry of National Defense and political circles?”
“Please say a word to the public.”
I stopped, as if I had no choice, and opened my mouth.
“If they are just and above board, there would be no problem with me receiving these reports. On the other hand, if they have committed corruption related to military supply or logistics, it must be thoroughly investigated and punished. Former President Park Si-hyeong stated that defense corruption is an act benefiting the enemy and ordered strong military reform.”
Though the person who actually said that is currently on trial, having been arrested for various corruption charges himself.
The reporters continued to ask questions.
“Do you believe the military needs to be reformed?”
I made eye contact with the cameras and said:
“There is only one reason why they embezzle the people's hard-earned tax money, weaken our own forces, and benefit the enemy. It is because they are spies or communists threatening the security of the Republic of Korea. Therefore, those who resist the investigation, defend military supply and logistics corruption, and oppose improving soldiers' treatment must undergo thorough ideological vetting. We must suspect whether they are connected to pro-communist forces or receiving directives from North Korea.”
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