Chapter 99 – No, Surely… (5)

And soon, Kim Ji-hyuk set out to verify.

In fact, there were as many as ten clinics in Gangwon Province alone, including Ilseong Clinic, Obuk Hospital, and Yumyeong Clinic, that had leased Professor Jo Dong-ki’s revoked medical license.

Maternity clinics had masqueraded as hospitals, and even people without any medical knowledge leased Professor Jo Dong-ki’s license to openly practice medicine.

Was he the only doctor who illegally leased out a license in this manner?

Not only Professor Jo Dong-ki, but the illegal acts of numerous other doctors were spreading like poisonous mushrooms.

‘These kinds of people must not be allowed to run wild anymore!’

Kim Ji-hyuk clenched both fists.

* * *

The clinic.

A week later, President Jeong Sang-yeong of Mirae Construction, who had received Kim Ji-hyuk’s contact, came to the clinic.

“Ji-hyuk!”

“Hyung-nim, welcome. Thank you for coming all this way.”

“Far? We are doing construction just a stone’s throw away. My younger brother Ji-hyuk, who is struggling in this remote place, is the one working harder.”

Perhaps because he came straight from the work site, President Jeong Sang-yeong’s clothes were covered in dust.

President Jeong Sang-yeong carefully brushed the dust off his clothes as he spoke.

“You must have come in the middle of construction? You can comfortably brush it off inside.”

Kim Ji-hyuk smiled faintly.

“Still, this is a hospital, so how could I do that? I will step outside for a moment to tidy up my clothes and come back.”

“No. You do not have to do that.”

“It is because I feel uncomfortable.”

With that, President Jeong Sang-yeong went outside. After a moment, having tidied up his clothes, he came back inside.

“Sigh, I wish there were forty-eight hours in a day lately. It is such a waste to see time passing day by day.”

“Haha, still, you must be pleased since you took charge of all the government-contracted construction in this region?”

“Rather than pleased, I feel a heavy sense of responsibility. We have no choice if we want to meet the construction deadline. The employees are working overnight shifts, so how can I, as the president, just sit idly by? I have to help.”

Perhaps because he had not slept well lately, President Jeong Sang-yeong’s complexion looked haggard.

“You are amazing. You will finish this construction well too! The next construction will go well as well, and from now on, Mirae Construction will become the cornerstone of the Republic of Korea’s industrial development.”

“Of course, we must. I am not doing this just so I can eat well and live well alone. It is sorrowful that our country cannot produce anything and has to receive US aid for everything. Even if this body of mine breaks down, we must lead the economic revival!”

Jeong Sang-yeong firmly closed his lips.

“Yes. You will do well! The construction is proceeding without any issues, right?”

“Yeah! It is proceeding without any setbacks. It is all thanks to our family. Everyone is struggling, so we need to have a good result to be able to add even one more bag of rice for them, right?”

“Haha, will any profit be left if you do that?”

“Profit… If our employees are full and warm, that is profit. Money can be earned at any time, but people cannot. A person once lost never returns. Now is the time to make my people mine for sure.”

“Great! If you continue with that mindset, you will see a great light in the future.”

“Keke, thank you! By the way, I looked into that man named Jo Dong-ki…”

At Kim Ji-hyuk’s request, President Jeong Sang-yeong had used his network to track Professor Jo Dong-ki’s whereabouts.

Having formed relationships with political and government figures while doing business, leaving local matters to him was much faster and more effective than relying on the central bureaucrats of the Syngman Rhee government.

This was especially true since he took charge of almost all government-contracted construction in Gangwon Province.

“Hmm, is Professor Jo Dong-ki in Yeonju right now?”

“Yeah. I looked into it, and he seems to be running a clinic in Yeonju. The clinic must be doing quite well, as the scale is fairly large.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. Well, he does general medicine, orthopedics, and even obstetrics and gynecology along with surgery. He seems to be quite famous in that area.”

“Hmm, back when we were in Busan, he was mean and petty, but he wasn’t a completely incompetent doctor, so I suppose that is possible.”

“But it is really strange! His clinic is doing so well, so why would he illegally lease out his license? Even while taking such risks.”

President Jeong Sang-yeong tilted his head.

“Professor Jo Dong-ki is exactly the kind of person to do that. He is a cunning man. That hospital of his is illegal anyway. Isn’t he preparing a backup in advance?”

“Ah, right! You said his medical license was revoked, right?”

“That is correct. We can no longer leave him be like this.”

“I agree. What is the point of enacting the National Medical Act? It is virtually useless.”

“Exactly. If we do not eradicate illegal medical practices, our country’s medical field can no longer develop. In that sense, we must deal a heavy blow so that people like Professor Jo Dong-ki never appear again.”

“Yeah. I have already made a request to the Gangwon Provincial Office, so they will form a crackdown team soon. Let’s go to Yeonju together then.”

“Thank you.”

“No need for thanks! I am also very interested in the medical business, though not as much as you. Which brings me to…”

“Yes? Please speak.”

“I am thinking of building a hospital this time. In my hometown, Gangwon Province.”

“A hospital?”

“Yes. Although the place where I was born has fallen to the North, Gangwon Province is still my hometown. Since this land gave me such an opportunity, shouldn’t I repay it for the people of my hometown?”

“Ah!”

“Although the whole country is like this, the medical facilities in Gangwon Province are particularly poor. That is why malicious doctors like Jo Dong-ki are running wild. Since hospitals are concentrated in Seoul and the government budget is tight, they probably have no time to care about regional healthcare. That is why I want to establish a hospital here.”

“Great! You made a really good decision, Hyung-nim!”

“How about Isan Hospital? It is a name taken from my hometown, Isan-ri.”

President Jeong Sang-yeong scratched the back of his head as if embarrassed.

‘Isan Hospital… Is the Isan Hospital that becomes one of the top hospitals in Korea in the future being born like this?’

“It sounds good.”

“Yeah. I plan to start in Gangwon Province and expand nationwide. Gangwon Province is the poorest, but it’s not like the situation in other regions is any better.”

“Yes! That is a truly wonderful idea. While you are at it, why don’t you build a medical school as well? After all, the foundation of the medical industry is doctors.”

“Of course. We need to cultivate many excellent doctors like my younger brother to have high-quality medical services, right? Let’s plan the medical school gradually. To do that, I will desperately need your help in the future. You will help me, right?”

“Of course. Even if this body of mine breaks down, I will help you, Hyung-nim!”

“Hahaha, excellent. In that sense, shouldn’t we first root out malicious doctors like Jo Dong-ki?”

“Exactly. With you helping, Hyung-nim, I feel energized!”

Kim Ji-hyuk smiled brightly.

“Ah! And I have one more favor to ask of you, Hyung-nim.”

“A favor? Tell me. Anything!”

“The World Cup is going to be held in Switzerland soon, right?”

“Oh! Right. Come to think of it, I had forgotten. Our country beat those Japs and advanced to the World Cup, right? But why that?”

“They advanced to the World Cup, but the support for the players seems to be absolutely terrible. I heard they don’t even have proper soccer cleats.”

“Hmm… Really?”

President Jeong Sang-yeong nodded slowly.

“Yes. How can players who don’t even have proper soccer cleats face world-class teams?”

“Yeah. It is the sorrow of the times. It is a time when even making a living is difficult, so who would pay attention to soccer?”

‘We must show that the Republic of Korea is alive and well. To do that, scores like the 9-0 match against Hungary or the 7-0 match against Turkey must not happen! They are the South Korean players who defeated Japan under adverse conditions. With just a little support, they won’t collapse so helplessly!’

“They are players who represent the country under the Taegeuk mark to the whole world. It is also a golden opportunity to show that the Republic of Korea is alive and well.”

“Hmm, so you want me to give them some support?”

“If it is hard for you, Hyung-nim, I will support the finances. So please handle the necessary support, such as purchasing equipment or the travel expenses to Switzerland, with that money.”

“You? With what money?”

“I have invested a bit in US stocks, and the returns are quite good. I think the returns must be around two thousand percent?”

Kim Ji-hyuk had indirectly invested in stocks through Mr. Brown.

“Whoa! What on earth did you invest in to get such massive returns?”

President Jeong Sang-yeong’s eyes widened.

“There is a man named Warren Buffett on Wall Street in America, and I just bought what he bought. Recently, I invested in American Express and Coca-Cola and made a tidy profit.”

Hehe, Kim Ji-hyuk blushed as if embarrassed.

“Warren Buffett? Is that man that amazing?”

“Yes. If you have a chance later, you should meet him. He is close with Mr. Brown, so it won’t be difficult to meet. It will be of great help to your business, Hyung-nim. He is still young, but his insight into the economy is truly remarkable.”

“Oh, my younger brother is truly a jack of all trades. If he is such an amazing investor, I must definitely meet him!”

“Yes. Then, will you support our national soccer team?”

“Sure! I will discuss it with the Ministry of Physical Education. Hmm, going to the World Cup that the whole world is watching? If that’s the case, our Mirae Construction too…?”

As if something had occurred to him, a mysterious smile appeared on Jeong Sang-yeong’s lips.

“Exactly. That is it, Hyung-nim! After all, you won’t be satisfied with just Mirae Construction, right? If you want to run a world-class automobile company, you must promote the Mirae brand to the whole world this time!”

“Automobile?”

“Yes, yes. Isn’t what’s settled in your heart none other than automobiles?”

“Hahaha, just hearing your words makes my heart flutter! Is it possible? A world-class automobile company like America’s Ford or Chrysler?”

“Even more than that will be possible!”

“Hahaha, good! What is there that we can’t do? Isn’t this the Republic of Korea that blocked the barbarians and defeated the Japs! Right. Let’s give it a try.”

President Jeong Sang-yeong had a hopeful expression.

“Yes! In that sense, we must first bring Professor Jo Dong-ki to legal justice, right?”

“Of course! Obviously!”

* * *

Yeonju Choego Hospital.

With President Jeong Sang-yeong taking the lead, sufficient evidence regarding Jo Dong-ki’s medical fraud was secured. The clinics operating under Professor Jo Dong-ki’s revoked, unqualified medical license, such as Ilseong Clinic and Obuk Hospital, were dealt a heavy blow, and the confessions of the directors were obtained.

Now, only Doctor Jo Dong-ki himself remained to face the judgment of the law.

Kim Ji-hyuk, along with officers from the local police station, visited Yeonju Choego Hospital run by Jo Dong-ki.

Just as President Jeong Sang-yeong had said, it was a fairly large hospital.

‘Despicable man! He was quiet all this time, only to be doing such wicked things here!’

Its facilities were excellent, ranking among the top three in all of Gangwon Province, excluding the provincial hospitals.

Murmur, murmur—

Kim Ji-hyuk entered through the hospital’s main gate along with the police officers.

‘What is going on here?’

Upon entering the hospital, nurses and doctors were moving about in a frenzy.