Sociopaths are good at investigating - C3 - Applause

“… What?”
Professor Jang seemed flustered as he asked me again.
“The crime of drunken disturbance at a government office. It’s a law that should be removed.”
“Why do you think so?”
All the students’ attention shifted to me.
Han-cheol also frowned and stared at me.
“First, it violates the principle of clarity. All four elements of this crime—‘being drunk,’ ‘a government office,’ ‘rough words and behavior,’ and ‘making noise’—are vague.”
Several people raised their eyebrows, seemingly intrigued by what I was saying.
“First, the phrase ‘being drunk.’ How much alcohol must one consume to be considered drunk? Is a person who stumbles after drinking half a shot of soju considered drunk? What about someone who drinks five bottles of soju and is still sober? Are they considered not drunk?”
Professor Jang curled his lips downward and looked at me with his chin propped up.
“Next, ‘government office.’ How far does the scope of a government office extend? Does the area outside the entrance to a police station count as a government office? Can a person causing a disturbance outside the entrance be punished under this crime?”
“……”
“Which of the words ‘bastard,’ ‘crazy,’ or ‘fool’ would fall under the category of ‘rough words’? If they don’t, what’s the standard? Is it acceptable to call a police officer a fool, but calling them a bastard is inappropriate?”
The use of curses surprised the class.
But the impact of my argument was now much stronger.
“The same applies to ‘making noise.’ The standard for this is unclear. All elements of the crime of drunken disturbance at a government office are vague. This is why there was a ruling that ‘someone who caused a disturbance at a police station but wasn’t drunk’ and ‘a drunk person causing a scene outside the police station through the window’ cannot be punished under this law.”
“Of course, there are such cases, but generally…”
“This isn’t all.”
I continued with my argument.
“Like Han-cheol said, when this law was created, the primary concern was the safety of police officers and the efficiency of their work. If these concerns were truly taken into account, this law should never have been created in the first place.”
“Are you saying that the crime of drunken disturbance at a government office doesn’t help with police officers’ safety and efficiency?”
“It doesn’t help. In fact, it only hinders it.”
Professor Jang furrowed his brow at my statement.
“Hinder? While the law has its flaws, I don’t think it hinders police work.”
“Drunken disturbance at a government office is essentially an obstruction of official duties. It’s a law that doesn’t need to exist.”
“But obstruction of official duties has a complicated definition, and acts like drunken disturbance can’t be punished under that. That’s why this law is needed to fill the gap.”
“That method of legislation is wrong. That’s what I’m trying to say.”
“… Huh?”
I had made a long introduction. Now, it was time to get to the core of my argument.
“When the Supreme Court ruled in 2009 that the duties of a public official did not qualify as ‘official duties,’ the legislature should have strengthened the definition of obstruction of official duties, rather than creating the crime of drunken disturbance at a government office.”
“…!”
“Instead of punishing only those who ‘assault or threaten’ public officials, the law should have been amended to punish all actions that interfere with official duties, such as insults, drunken disturbances, and arguments.”
Professor Jang seemed taken aback, his mouth open wide in surprise.
He probably hadn’t expected the debate to go in this direction.
Linking two legal provisions and discussing the modification and removal of existing laws was a kind of debate you’d more likely see in law school.
“If we continue as is, the crime of drunken disturbance at a government office will only be an obstacle to strengthening the definition of obstruction of official duties. It will just provide an excuse to avoid strengthening that law.”
“……”
“If we truly want to ensure police officer safety, whether or not the offender is drunk, or whether the location is a government office, should not matter. What’s important is whether or not the official duties were actually obstructed. Therefore…”
I paused briefly before adding,
“My opinion is that we should remove this vague law that doesn’t help with police officer safety and strengthen the definition of obstruction of official duties.”
Just five minutes ago, everyone in the classroom had agreed with Han-cheol’s opinion.
Now, they were sending me looks of admiration.
Professor Jang closed his mouth, seemingly unable to argue further.
Han-cheol also lowered his head.
And then—
*Clap*
Someone in the back of the room started clapping, and soon the applause grew louder.
*Clap, clap, clap, clap—*
*Clap, clap, clap, clap—*
“Of course, Tak Jung-tae!”
“That’s amazing!”
The classroom was filled with applause.
*Ha…*
Pointing out and correcting what was wrong felt just as thrilling as uncovering something hidden.
I closed my eyes and savored the applause,
As I sank into a surge of dopamine.

—

The years passed, and soon I was in my fourth year. All the training at the Police University had come to an end.
“Sit down.”
Professor Jang called me to his office for a final chat.
He carefully placed a cup of coffee in front of me.
“How do you feel? You’ll be graduating soon.”
“Just like usual.”
“Aren’t you sad?”
“…”
“Do you think you’ll miss it?”
I thought for a moment before speaking.
“I think I’ll miss your debate classes.”
“Ah… not me, but the class?”
“Yes, the class.”
Professor Jang cleared his throat awkwardly.
His classes had been fun, so I’d likely miss them.
But I didn’t think I’d miss him personally, since he wasn’t an interesting person.
“It’s a little disappointing. I think I’ll miss you.”
“Me?”
“No one like you, someone so exceptional and unique, has been here before, and no one will be like you in the future.”
Exceptional and unique.
I had been hearing that since I was a child.
People often said I was good at studying but odd, a genius but weird.
“If your grades are anything to go by, you’ll do really well in the field. You’ve scored outstandingly in almost every subject.”
Taking a sip of his coffee, he added,
“But there’s one flaw.”
With a serious tone, he continued,
“Lack of emotion.”
“……”

Professor Jang’s Words

This wasn’t the first time Professor Jang had said those words.
When I was in my second year, he called me after class and said the same thing.
He told me not to be hurt and that it was for my own good.
I wasn’t hurt at all.
In fact, I was glad that he had been honest with me, as it helped me understand myself better.
Of course, it didn’t change anything.
“That could be a really big flaw.”
“Do police officers need emotions, too?”
“Of course.”
“Even though the cases don’t speak, and all the legal texts are written?”
“There are people behind the cases and the texts. The police exist to serve and help people in the end.”
Emotion.
It’s the only topic that makes me lose my words.
I understand what Professor Jang is saying, but I can’t empathize with it.
That’s the biggest problem with lacking emotions.
“Do I… really seem that emotionally detached?”
At my question, Professor Jang smiled faintly.
“You’ve improved a lot since the first time. Just by asking that question.”
“……”
“When you were a first-year, you didn’t even have that kind of concern. There was no awareness of the issue.”
Thinking back, I realize it was only recently that I started to have these concerns.
But I only wondered, “Is this a problem?”—I didn’t feel a deep sense of urgency about it.
“You’ll get better once you start working and meet good colleagues.”
But I couldn’t understand what Professor Jang meant by that.
I had never felt any interest or enjoyment in people.
What is a “good colleague,” and how could I learn emotions from them?
Professor Jang seemed to read my thoughts and let out a small sigh.
“Don’t think it’s a useless remark, take it to heart.”
“… I understand.”
It took me quite a while to realize.
“You’ve worked hard.”
“Thank you for your hard work.”
I finally understood that good colleagues, just by being there, could provide an incredible sense of catharsis.

**Scars You Can’t Make Yourself**

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This was distributed from the “Ajit Novel” (formerly “Ajitun Novel”).
Read it conveniently online in real-time.
xx
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