Original subtitles

Honorable Judge,

I'm Hwang Tae Yong. I work at the Emergency Call Center.

Lee Soon Chul...

is a newcomer who just started his career.

He is overwhelmed with guilt for not saving a life at the scene...

and has been getting treatment for depression.

He fell victim to the false report...

of a drunk man.

He claims...

Lee Soon Chul hit him while transporting him,

but we know it was the necessary measure...

in calming him down...

from countless experiences.

I'd like to say one thing for him in court.

Please call me as a witness at the trial.

I beseech you, Your Honor. Hwang Tae Yong.

(Your Honor)

(Disciplinary Hearing)

Speak well. I'll wait here.

We don't know when it'll end.

Go back.

No. You stood for hours at the hospital,

watching over me.

Once this is over, let's get pork belly and soju,

and go singing afterward.

- Just the two of us? - No.

Everyone in the chamber. A team dinner.

I thought you wanted to go alone.

Should we?

That would be nice,

but everyone's worried, so let's go together.

Hello, Your Honor.

Hi.

You've gotten prettier.

What are you doing here?

I was selected to sit on the disciplinary committee.

I kept refusing,

but the Supreme Court Justice overseeing it is an alum,

so I couldn't refuse.

Can a prosecutor participate in a judge's disciplinary hearing?

They're allowed to appoint someone...

who has ample education and experience.

Everyone on the committee is a good person,

so you need not worry.

You've gained weight.

You look good.

I don't like girls who are too skinny.

Please do not talk about my appearance, sir.

You get so worked up anytime I compliment you.

I'm saying you're sexy.

- Sir. Saying things like that... - It's a compliment.

A compliment.

That piece of...

I'm sorry.

That piece of trash. Has he lost his mind?

He looks like a serial killer. How dare he talk about appearances?

He ought to wash his face more often.

You knew him from your training at the prosecution, right?

- Yes. - He does that often, doesn't he?

I'm not sure.

What do you mean? He looks like a repeat offender.

That face of his...

comes up all the time on the list for sketches of wanted criminals.

- I do think so. - Remember?

My class on becoming a killer.

- Yes. - If he does that again,

strike him. That's faster than taking legal measures.

- It feels much better too. - Okay. I'll do that.

I'll go inside and get revenge on him.

Okay.

- You may sit down. - Okay.

(Disciplinary Committee)

Are you Judge Han Soo Ho from Individual Criminal Department 40...

at Seoul Central District Court?

Yes, I am.

As we all know each other, that will suffice to identify the individual.

We'll begin the chief questioning now.

You read the documents, correct?

I did.

Should we go over the case regarding negligence of your duty?

- Let's check the grounds for it. - Yes, sir.

Starting on the sixth of last month, Judge Han Soo Ho...

postponed the trials and sentence hearing...

without any proper reasons or prior notices.

After that, he postponed trials on the 11th, 19th, and 20th...

and a total of 36 trials.

He neglected his duty as a judge, and the court received numerous...

complaints that the long trials brought suffering.

This is all.

- Explain yourself. - Yes, sir.

I did postpone the trials often.

Is that wrong?

Do you not agree that you were negligent of your duty?

Let me say one thing to my dear judges.

Sit down, and proceed.

Yes, sir.

A long time ago,

I thought trials were done very slowly.

But after becoming a judge,

there's too much work.

I don't understand why you give only cases...

to decide on without any time to think.

Don't you think this is wrong?

The total number of judges in Korea is only 3,000.

Deciding on 2 or 3 cases a day is not possible.

Let me politely ask you a question.

Does the judicial branch have any plans to hire more judges?

You must answer the question accordingly.

What do you mean? This has everything to do with my answer.

You're not hiring more judges because if there's more,

the job wouldn't be as prestigious, right?

Judge Han!

Watch your language.

My apologies.

I really needed time to think in order to make my decision fair.

Someone's life depends on my decision.

Even If I postponed the trial for a few days,

I wanted to make good decisions.

Does that mean...

other judges who decide on cases without postponing their trials...

aren't thinking about the trials?

Is that it?

Don't twist my words.

That will do. We listened to your argument enough.

- Next. - Here's the next point at issue.

Judge Han Soo Ho was interviewed...

on a TV program on the 17th.

The interview didn't pass through the administration office first.

And there was no follow-up report after the interview.

It's been evaluated that...

his viewpoints shared on TV have marred judges' respectability.

Explain yourself.

The TV interview...

I'll be honest.

I was sleeping.

Someone from the TV station came to my house.

- And then... - I need you...

to be a judge today.

I was dragged out.

It was beyond my control.

It was the same as being kidnapped.

Do you think this hearing is a joke?

Do you think it's a place where you fool around?

It's the truth. I have a witness.

That's enough.

You may leave if you don't have anything else to share.

Is it over?

We heard enough of your explanations.

What is it? Do you need to explain yourself more?

How should I put it?

It feels like the outcome is already determined.

I feel like you're only having this hearing for the sake of formality.

How dare you talk such nonsense?

The hearing was over too quickly.

Judge Han. Go outside.

Actually,

I exchanged my decision for money.

- Hey! - What? Am I the only one?

The head of the fish rots first.

I'm a lowly tail of that fish. I have nothing to lose.

This office is also considered a courthouse. Maintain your dignity.

Sure. I'll say it with dignity that I accepted some bribes.

Everyone was just dying to give me money.

Yesterday, the son of Osung Group's CEO...

gave me a blank oath.

What you just stated...

is a violation of the existing law.

You sexually harass women every time you open that mouth.

You should keep your mouth shut.

What nonsense are you accusing me of?

You look like the most wanted criminal on the list.

You tell women to their faces that they're sexy and attractive.

Is that what you really want to do?

I'm sitting down here as a member of the disciplinary committee.

Show me your respect.

I don't want to get disciplined by someone like you.

Stop it, and leave!

You opened this hearing with some ridiculous grounds...

for negligence of duty and failure to maintain respectability.

Let's be honest.

You're doing this because I held Lee Ho Sung under court custody.

Right? Are you that scared of the rich?

How much did they pay you...

to have you walk on eggshells around them?

That's enough. Get out!

I'll accept any disciplinary action you give me.

I don't care if you take away my salary for a year.

However, if you suspend me...

and stop me from ruling over my last trial,

you'll have a lunatic judge on your hands.

I'll become the biggest humiliation of the judiciary branch...

and reveal everything I know!

We'll continue after 30 minutes.

Please, I'm begging you.

Please keep this judiciary branch's last ounce of pride.

Good job.

You crazy jerk.

(Disciplinary Committee)

Your Honor, did it go well?

Cheer up. You didn't do anything wrong.

Why do you think that I did nothing wrong?

Well, I don't think you'd do something wrong.

Let's go. Gosh, I wanted to gather smart people...

and build a time machine.

Why? Did you say something wrong?

Goodness. I should've made bigger threats.

- "Threats"? - That's my area of expertise.

You're right. Someone once told me that...

making threats is more effective in this world than asking for favors.

Let's go have our gathering.

How was the interrogation at the prosecution?

I'm sure you know too.

Someone got a hold of an insider and is trying to strangle me.

It's hard for the prosecutor general and Prosecutor Hong...

to treat me however they want.

You gave them water and raised them.

Try watering the garden all you can.

You think the flowers will remember the hands that watered them?

Don't you think this case will go away...

after a few days?

Sang Chul.

You should find out who is trying to...

strangle me.

Me?

I must know who my opponent is to come up with a plan.

If that person has enough power, then I'll gladly give him my head.

Don't say such a thing.

Our law firm is the biggest in Korea.

You go to the courthouse often, right?

When you climb the hill and get to the dead end,

the courthouse is to the east and the Prosecutors' Office to the west.

They call themselves East and West.

Do you know what that means?

They mean, they are the core of this nation.

The East and West have been ruling this nation...

ever since the Joseon era.

If you underestimate their power, you'll die,

regardless of who you are.

Even if you are the President of the country.

That's...

the power of the judges and prosecutors.

(Disciplinary Committee Chair)

Please give your opinions.

We're investigating Oh Dae Yang right now,

and Judge Han Soo Ho's bribery accusation was proven true.

It'll make the news soon.

As a preventative measure,

we should punish him more severely than a mere suspension.

I agree with him.

Thank you for not quitting...

and coming back.

I'll do my best as well.

How did it go?

It'll work out somehow.

Let's go eat.

You have a trial.

(Ambulance)

Gauze.

Are you okay?

- How many more minutes? - 10 minutes.

More gauze.

You are a paramedic...

for the Emergency Center in Samseong-dong,

and on June 13 at 11pm, you were dispatched...

to Seolleung Station, correct?

Yes.

How was the victim Cho Jung Man's condition when you arrived?

He was intoxicated...

and requested to be taken to the hospital.

When he refused to have his blood pressure checked...

in the ambulance,

did you try to strap him into the stretcher?

Yes.

When he continued to refuse, did you use violence?

- Yes. - Did you give him...

lacerations to his face,

broken ribs, as well as bruises all over his arms and legs?

- Yes. - It's also true...

that you broke the victim's 5,000 dollar watch, correct?

- Yes. - Did you settle with the victim?

I could not.

No more questions.

- Question your witness. - Yes, Your Honor.

When you arrived, Cho Jung Man complained of severer pain, correct?

- Yes. - If the patient...

refuses to have his blood pressure taken, can't you skip it?

(Witness Stand)

It is our duty to do our best.

You weren't being violent, you were trying to calm the patient,

and this was an unexpected accident...

as you tried to restrain him into the stretcher, correct?

I won't do it, you jerk.

You jerk.

- I need to check your vitals. - Hey. Are you a doctor?

Are you a nurse? You jerk.

I'll have to strap you in for your safety.

Safety?

Who are you to...

Darn it.

- Let go. - Please, stop.

Let go.

Hey.

Why you...

Please stay still!

Let go, you jerk!

I...

used force to restrain him.

I was told that was assault.

Why were you unable to settle with him?

He will not take my calls.

The victim said,

"You're a rude jerk and deserve to be fired."

"I won't settle, you jerk."

That was his final text message,

and he will not answer any calls or texts.

Did you receive this text?

- Yes. - No more questions.

(Defendant)

We'll hear from another witness.

Is Hwang Tae Yong here?

He is not present.

This is good.

- Your change. - That's fine.

(Seoul Central District Court)

Sorry.

What is your recommended sentence?

Please sentence him to one year in prison.

(Defendant)

Give your closing argument.

The defendant did his very best and caused injuries...

unintentionally, and he is...

repenting deeply.

Please also consider all the volunteer work he has done.

We ask for a favorable judgment.

- That's all? - Yes.

Why is it so simple?

You should do your best to defend him. You're his lawyer.

I'm...

Defendant...

has admitted his guilt,

and is repenting.

Please provide a favorable judgment.

Was that watch really worth 5,000 dollars?

Does he have a receipt?

I receipt a certificate of authenticity.

I personally know someone...

who forces hundreds of certificates of authenticity a year.

Bring in a purchase receipt.

Yes, Your Honor.

And please, this is my request.

Defend your client.

He repents, so you want a favorable judgment?

That can't be everything.

Yes, Your Honor.

Darn it.

Give your final statement.

I'm sorry.

I have nothing else to say.

This happened a lot, hasn't it?

You said it's the duty of paramedics to do your best, right?

- Yes. - Same here.

I have a duty to do my best on this bench.

I don't care what it is.

Say anything you want to say.

I...

hate this country.

The people of our country...

scare me.

That's why...

I have no right to work...

for the Emergency Center.

The witness has just arrived.

All rise.

(Witness Stand)

Okay. Sit down.

Please be seated.

- The witness will testify. - Go ahead.

I came here today...

because there was something I must share with the Honorable Judge.

No, I'm not honorable.

Please go on.

I'm deeply indebted to Lee Soon Chul.

Last April,

I was dispatched to a scene after getting a call,

but the caller wasn't a patient who needed emergency assistance.

When I arrived,

a drunk man had called because he couldn't find his way home.

At that time, we received a call for a real emergency situation.

Since I was already dispatched,

Mr. Lee Soon Chul who was nearby went to the scene.

When the ambulance was playing taxi for a drunk man,

someone who was in dire need of our help...

passed away.

He could have lived if the ambulance arrived 10 minutes earlier.

It took a while since he was coming from another district.

Mr. Lee Soon Chul thought...

that it was his fault.

He suffered from severe depression,

but he couldn't get treated as he didn't have the time.

We have to take the beating when someone hits us.

Because he's drunk.

Because he's a patient...

in serious pain.

Because he's a family member of the patient.

We took their physical violence as if it's part of our duty.

For safety reasons,

we decide to secure the patient to the bed.

While doing so, anyone can make a mistake.

Because of that mistake,

if he ends up getting a small fine even,

we will be...

called by the disciplinary committee...

according to the Fire Officers Act.

The degree of...

Mr. Lee Soon Chul's disciplinary action...

will depend on the result of this trial.

Seeing my colleague...

being punished by other colleagues...

gives me unbearable agony.

I heard from others that...

Mr. Lee Soon Chul predicted the looming agony...

and had given up everything already.

Your Honor.

Please help that outstanding paramedic...

avoid standing before the disciplinary committee...

and leaving us.

I would like to ask for your help with all my heart.

I would like to say one thing.

Prosecutors who have experienced countless trials...

all agreed that Judge Han is incompetent as a judge.

We don't need to bring in evaluations from outside,

but we did hear such evaluations.

All right. Everyone will submit their own opinions,

- and we'll wrap up here. - Before we wrap up,

I'd like to ask everyone in this room a question.

Are we righteous enough to have the right...

to punish a fellow judge?

I don't have anything to repent on.

I believe that everyone at this panel...

agrees with me.

Jung Soo.

You've become quite daring.

Gosh, what are you talking to me in such manner?

This is a formal meeting.

Stop it.

Before you go, visit the administration office.

Sign the form for your attendance regarding this hearing.

The employees in the office are busy.

Don't make them ask you to come in again.