Chapter 25

Chapter 25

The US military side was making the matter big.

“Are you telling me to attend that what, the US military’s hearing?”

Yi-hyeon who became literally dumbfounded asked.

After returning to the original unit from Papua one day called from headquarters and going to Icheon the words Major Lee Yong-taek the unit staff said.

It was to attend the US military’s hearing.

That day after ending the operation going to the US military’s temporary camp set up in Papua New Guinea, the US military’s operations officer acted as if calling Yi-hyeon from headquarters right away but after returning to the original unit it was quiet for a month. But that seems all time taken stepping on formal procedures internally.

He knows the reason the US military called him. Since a citizen or soldier of the allied country Korea inflicted harm on their own country’s citizen or soldier, they will punish with their own country’s law. And before that they want to confirm the crime fact through hearing.

He understands that the procedure goes that way, but at least in the Korean army isn’t grasping the circumstances by calling him priority?

Whatever the reason their own country’s soldier came to stand in the US military’s court, without even calling and confirming in advance telling to go to the US the day after tomorrow.

Really, are they that afraid of the US military?

Yi-hyeon already decided his mind.

Suffering to this extent would there be heart left to do more military life. Just quit. But even quitting he does not quit in this way.

Whether US military or Korean army I have to shake largely once! Have to smash completely.

* * *

“Please permit 1 night 2 days outing.”

When Yi-hyeon raised his head and said Major Lee Yong-taek asked with a blank expression.

“What? Outing? What will you do going out? Are you going to desert?”

Really, is this words a major would say to a lowest sergeant?

“Before attending the US military’s hearing I will meet a lawyer and prepare a plan to receive assistance.”

“What? Receiving what assistance from a lawyer? This bastard more and more.”

Yi-hyeon looked straight at Major Lee Yong-taek and said firmly.

“The US military proceeding with hearing procedure is the intention to formally handle this incident (?) and make the matter big. Then I also have to receive legal assistance through a lawyer. Yes, I acknowledge that I beat two US military. But, shouldn’t one reveal in detail what the reason was that one had no choice but to do so with the enemy in front? I will also formally make this matter big.”

“······.”

Major Lee Yong-taek briefly turned his head. Seeing this guy’s expression anyway it does not seem he will pass obediently. And this matter has already left his hands.

What are his hands? It is a formal official document delivered through the US Forces Korea command so even the special forces commander cannot help it. Now the matter has no choice but to roll stepping on formal procedures.

Originally since Yi-hyeon is in the status of active-duty soldier it would be right for the military police or military prosecution to step forward even in the Korean army. But Yi-hyeon could not trust the Korean military prosecution.

Even now receiving one sheet of the US military’s official document without prior investigation or anything telling to go to the US unconditionally and receive investigation.

Even just looking at Major Lee Yong-taek in front now one can know. Even becoming a major one watches political signs and bends oneself and going up it will be more. So the sound comes out that generals in the Joint Chiefs of Staff not the front are all half politicians who ate political water.

Yes, I will pay the compensation. But you US military bastards also have to be thoroughly embarrassed.

That way after twists and turns Yi-hyeon received permission for overnight and went to Lawyer Kim Gyu-jeong’s office in Seocho-dong. Whether he grew the law firm harder in the meantime he moved from the original building to a larger next building. Now the number of affiliated lawyers is said to be close to 100.

“Uncle, you seem to have succeeded largely.”

When Yi-hyeon said looking around Lawyer Kim Gyu-jeong smiled.

“Well, law firms are evaluated by how many capable lawyers there are and fortunately I seem not to have lost popularity in the legal circle. Good juniors came to find.”

The law firm Sepyeong that Lawyer Kim Gyu-jeong established now had specialized lawyers evenly positioned by field. Rather than simple criminal cases it handles disputes between companies or M&A etc. and also undertakes and proceeds international lawsuits. Several foreign especially US lawyers also joined.

“I got involved in a dispute with the US military side.”

Yi-hyeon brought out the main point.

Two people sitting facing in the consultation room. Lawyer Kim Gyu-jeong carefully records Yi-hyeon’s words in a notebook and occasionally asks questions in the middle.

When all of Yi-hyeon’s words ended, Lawyer Kim Gyu-jeong crossed his arms and looked at Yi-hyeon.

“This, out of the blue. You are really an amazing guy. Colliding with the US military while doing military life.”

“Well, it was not what I wanted.”

Lawyer Kim Gyu-jeong pondered.

“This, for soldiers it is not easy for civilian lawyers to intervene··· since the opponent is the US intervening at the level of advice might be possible. I will have to dig SOFA too.”

“It seems that side will not bring up even SOFA regulations. In fact the reason those people are doing this now is because there is something they want from me.”

Yi-hyeon briefly told matters related to the techniques he learned.

“Heo! This is more surprising? No, a guy who looks pale and thin fights so well? This really.”

Lawyer Kim Gyu-jeong found it amazing and laughed. Now he roughly guessed the cause of the incident.

Yi-hyeon finally took out the ballpoint pen type recorder he was keeping and showed it.

“And, there is this. With this evidence one has to drag the board to a political matter.”

Lawyer Kim Gyu-jeong blinked his eyes and looked at Yi-hyeon.

“Uncle, can you bring a USB that can read this chip and a laptop?”

Yi-hyeon smiled roundly.

As Yi-hyeon said it was soon prepared, and Yi-hyeon connected the USB and executed the video. The screen starts from the scene where Jim and Yi-hyeon are conversing. Lawyer Kim Gyu-jeong also had experience studying abroad at a university in the eastern US during his judge days so he was proficient in English.

The recorded screen was long. From Yi-hyeon conversing with Jim and Jim’s words of dealing with the two native children and going and Yi-hyeon striking him and then hitting Team Leader Hesse’s face.

Afterward the scenes of Yi-hyeon excluding Hesse and Jim encouraging the team members and performing the operation were contained intact. The end scene is the scene where Yi-hyeon puts the prisoners on the helicopter and has the last conversation with Hesse inside the helicopter. All scenes are from Yi-hyeon’s viewpoint. Since Yi-hyeon had the ballpoint pen type recorder stuck in the top pocket it is natural.

The problem was the content of the conversation they and Yi-hyeon exchanged.

Saying to kill the two native children and go because they obstruct the operation. In short it was a matter that would anger heaven and people.

If this becomes known to the world Delta will receive a fatal wound. No, not only Delta but the entire US military will be covered in filth.

This was a problem that could smash in one stroke the justification of the US claiming to be the world’s police and jumping into disputes around the world.

Lawyer Kim Gyu-jeong who sat side by side and watched the video turned to Yi-hyeon and said. The eyes looking at Yi-hyeon are glistening. He is excited.

“This, an amazing item. Touching something too sensitive so one has to handle it well.”

“Yes, so I came to find uncle.”

Lawyer Kim Gyu-jeong continuously nodded and said.

“I understand the meaning you said. Not going by nitpicking this matter whether it is insubordination or not but going to a justification fight altogether.”

“Accurate, uncle.”

Lawyer Kim Gyu-jeong gritted his teeth and answered resolutely.

“I will handle it. Don’t worry too much. Anyway the justification is on you. And though I don’t know military operations well, looking at this didn’t you in fact lead and succeed that operation?”

My words!

“If shown to a military expert one knows right away.”

Yi-hyeon said and grinned.

I did somewhat well. Wait a moment··· that ConocoPhillips executive was it? Shall I ask that gentleman to testify?

That is something to think later when the matter does not resolve properly it is not late.

* * *

Lawyer Kim Gyu-jeong used hands in all directions and in the US Yi-hyeon and Lawyer Kim Gyu-jeong came to accompany. In the Korean army that does not know the detailed inside story Yi-hyeon’s guilt is not even confirmed yet, and also this matter entangled with the US military they only want to pass quietly somehow so when the renowned Lawyer Kim Gyu-jeong stepped forward they quickly accepted.

From the Korean army’s position they judged that if the problem largely emerges later it is not late even if stepping forward.

At most it is doing a hearing of a mere sergeant.

Yi-hyeon and Kim Gyu-jeong went to the Special Operations Command near Richmond, Virginia. Seeing that they did not call to Washington where the military court is it seems these guys also have the intention to negotiate something with Yi-hyeon.

Yi-hyeon and Lawyer Kim Gyu-jeong requested and received a few materials regarding the hearing from the unit.

And while coming out of the unit Yi-hyeon saw a face he really did not want to see again.

Precisely General Jimmy Kruger.

“Hey! Yi-hyeon Song. Still looks smart. Oh, promoted to sergeant in the meantime? Congratulations, Sergeant. Haha.”

“Long time no see.”

Yi-hyeon answered expressionlessly while holding the hand General Kruger held out. Now since Yi-hyeon is wearing the Korean army non-commissioned officer formal uniform, he would recognize that he was promoted.

“Who is this person?”

He asks looking at Lawyer Kim Gyu-jeong standing beside Yi-hyeon.

“Lawyer Kim, this is General Jimmy Kruger. A person who knows me very well. General this person is my lawyer. Since a hearing is opened in the US military I accompanied to receive assistance.”

“Lawyer?”

General Kruger made a dumbfounded expression.

Natural because now Kruger was happy thinking he held the decisive card to pierce Yi-hyeon’s nose. In the meantime he pondered all sorts to transmit the martial arts skills Yi-hyeon possesses to the US military. Still there was no way to deal with this slippery guy, but this time didn’t Yi-hyeon decisively cause an accident.

Now if gently coaxing and soothing Yi-hyeon he will have no choice but to accept the conditions he holds out.

Thinking so and preparing thoroughly, but isn’t Yi-hyeon saying he came accompanying a lawyer.

“Kim Gyu-jeong, General. I heard a lot.”

Lawyer Kim Gyu-jeong first held out his hand and shook hands with General Kruger and smiled gently.

* * *

Next day.

The hearing was opened in a slightly large room inside the unit.

A lieutenant general who is the unit deputy commander sat in the upper seat, and toward the window side a person who looks like an officer of the US military MP and Jimmy Kruger also sat beside wearing military uniform with rank insignia attached for once···

Oh? Looking at the rank it is major general. Two stars!

That such a soldier gets promoted, it seems even in the US military soldiers who do politics well get promoted first.

First Hesse and Jim came out as victims. Today ordinary combat uniform attire. But Hesse’s rank is major and Jim is master sergeant. So that day Yi-hyeon beat a major and a master sergeant respectively···

Yi-hyeon was a little strange.

Usually Delta’s team leader level is mostly captain rank. This one can know looking at the Korean army that follows the US military’s system as is. If major one has to do the upper unit, if like Korean special forces the regional commander.

Then did that guy suddenly get promoted?

Anyway separate from such trivial questions of Yi-hyeon the hearing proceeds.

First when the deputy commander entered they stood and then saluted the US flag and···

Shit! What is this act I who am not even US military.

Fortunately there was no singing of the US national anthem ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’.

According to order Hesse and Jim who are the assault (?) victims came out and testified in turn.

Those guys do not even seem embarrassed.

At the end of some conversation where and how hit by Yi-hyeon, blah blah···

When the boring procedure ended including the procedure of occasionally asking Yi-hyeon in the middle, now it became Yi-hyeon’s turn. Yi-hyeon slowly stood up from the seat.

And glaring straight at General Jimmy Kruger he opened his mouth.

“I have known until now that the US and the US military are always just and fair organizations. Probably most people in the world think so?”

Shamelessly and detestably Yi-hyeon first started the statement by praising the US and the US military. All people in the hall began to concentrate on Yi-hyeon’s statement and Yi-hyeon looking around continued the words.

“But I ended up seeing a fact I never even imagined that day. On the day the operation name Save New Guinea was executed at the time ahead of entering combat.”

It is the time Yi-hyeon beat Jim and Hesse heartily.

“At that time I was taking the team’s reconnaissance. Naturally I was concentrating all nerves to guide the team safely and quickly to the site where the target is. So, I intend to correct the testimony of those two people that is the content Hesse and Jim said that I deliberately guided the team to rough terrain and gave setback to the operation.”

One has to bring this out first. The content those guys demanded from me that because I reconnoitered wrong it was hard advancing on a difficult and wrong path, and so they told me to properly guide the path. That is the words that the cause of the fight is on me.

“First please look at this screen.”

There is a screen in front where the deputy commander is sitting and soon the screen Yi-hyeon prepared rose.

The Papua New Guinea site map of the operation day that Yi-hyeon officially requested and received as soon as he arrived at the unit. Since during the operation they showed this map to the Delta team members and Yi-hyeon and informed the route, there is no way there is no material.

“I starting from here passing this valley the closest to the swamp, but through this path that can avoid the enemy’s surveillance and is the fastest···.”

Yi-hyeon calmly explained pointing the map with the laser pointer. Though cumbersome and long it was a procedure absolutely necessary to smash the basis of the words those guys claim.

The longer Yi-hyeon’s words became the faces of Hesse and Jim sitting on one side listening hardened.

Explaining even raising the site map like that there were no words to refute.

But they opened their mouths. Hesse stepped forward.

“I have an objection. But that does not become a reason to assault a superior with the enemy in front.”

Yes, your words are also correct. One should not hit a superior just for saying such words.

Yi-hyeon listened to Hesse’s words to the end and then opened his mouth.

“Naturally, there would be almost no cases of assaulting just because a superior said words of this degree. Because if an ordinary soldier obeying the superior’s order is the soldier’s duty. Of course I am also so. Except for such peculiar cases···.”

Yi-hyeon lengthened the end of the words and prepared the next screen.

Now it is time to smash this shitty hearing!

© Saedungi#1tjzr