Chapter 11 …
Life Reset, Oh Military Police!
“I don’t want to blame the platoon leader. He’s always paid a lot of attention to the soldiers’ situations, and with so many men under him, it must’ve been hard to keep track of everything.”
At those words, Second Lieutenant Kim Mincheol looked at Oh Sangjin with surprised eyes. Oh Sangjin continued speaking.
“The seniors took advantage of moments when no one was watching and harassed us in secret. The platoon leader always treated us warmly, and I really believe he didn’t know about this incident.”
After hearing that, Captain Hong Seongjun no longer reprimanded Second Lieutenant Kim Mincheol. Moreover, Kim Mincheol’s evaluation recovered to some extent.
From that day on, Second Lieutenant Kim Mincheol held deep gratitude toward Oh Sangjin.
It wasn’t just that Oh Sangjin had shielded him in a difficult situation. What moved him even more was the fair perspective and conscience Oh Sangjin showed as a soldier.
Despite being a new recruit, Oh Sangjin had seen straight through the unit’s structure and reality.
The barracks were literally a blind spot, a place beyond the control of the 1st Platoon Leader.
On top of that, among the senior soldiers, there had been an unspoken tendency to look down on Second Lieutenant Kim Mincheol.
In such circumstances, placing all the blame on the 1st Platoon Leader was unjust. Oh Sangjin understood that and spoke on his behalf.
Furthermore, from the moment he regained consciousness, Oh Sangjin never showed any resentment toward Second Lieutenant Kim Mincheol.
Until the very end, Oh Sangjin tried to let what happened to him pass quietly. That silence might have looked like cowardice to some, but to Second Lieutenant Kim Mincheol, it was a small act of consideration.
That was why, today—when Oh Sangjin was being discharged and returning—this day held more meaning for Kim Mincheol than a simple escort.
“The company commander will probably be genuinely happy when he sees you again.”
With those words, the jeep quietly started and pulled out onto the road.
Oh Sangjin closed his eyes silently as he looked at the hospital scenery sliding past the window.
The vehicle left the Armed Forces Capital Hospital and headed north.
Outside the window, the scenery rushed by along the tail end of late autumn, and inside the car, silence settled for a moment.
Then Second Lieutenant Kim Mincheol spoke quietly.
“By the way, as soon as you return, you guys will be transferred.”
At those words, Oh Sangjin turned his head. Regret showed faintly on Kim Mincheol’s face.
“It’s a bit of a shame. I wanted to get to know you better.”
“Is Kangho going with me too?”
Oh Sangjin asked cautiously.
“Yeah. Both of you.”
Kim Mincheol nodded, paused briefly, then spoke as if letting it slip.
“I’m not sure how much I’m allowed to say, but there’s a high chance you’ll be sent to a military police battalion around the capital area. It’s not an official order yet—you’ll hear the exact details directly from the company commander.”
“A military police battalion?”
Bewilderment crept into Oh Sangjin’s voice at the unexpected news.
The transfer destination Oh Sangjin had imagined was a relatively comfortable unit—someplace with administrative or supply soldiers.
A military police unit… that was something he’d never considered.
“Our battalion commander is classmates with the military police battalion commander. Looks like the company commander asked him personally.”
Second Lieutenant Kim explained gently, one arm resting on the steering wheel.
“The company commander couldn’t just push through your transfer recklessly. But if there’s a connection between battalion commanders, that changes things. And the military police fit your conditions perfectly.”
“Conditions?”
“Yeah. What you asked for. A unit near Seoul, an environment where a physically weak soldier like Kangho can manage, and a place that can properly handle things so the incident doesn’t spread outside.”
Oh Sangjin nodded, but soon asked with lingering concern.
“But… wouldn’t the military police be tough?”
At his question, Kim Mincheol let out a small laugh.
“Hey, the army’s tough everywhere. Where do you think is easy?”
Shrugging, he continued.
“Still, it’s better than the front lines. When you go on leave, you can come straight out through Seoul, and you won’t be standing guard in snow-covered posts like the front.”
Oh Sangjin fell silent.
As he looked out the window, worry still lingered in his eyes.
“Why? You worried about Private Choi Kangho?”
Kim Mincheol asked carefully.
Oh Sangjin nodded without hesitation.
“Yes. I’ll be fine. I was prepared for this anyway. But Kangho’s gentle by nature, and he’s physically weak. I’m worried the military police life might be too much for him.”
At that sincere concern, Kim Mincheol let out a short sigh and turned his head.
“You don’t need to worry about that. Kangho will probably be assigned to Headquarters Company.”
“Headquarters Company?”
“Yeah. They mainly handle administrative and guard duties. It’s different from actual operational units, and there are a lot of officers and NCOs, so incidents between soldiers are rare. Even though discipline is strict, there won’t be anything like the abuse you’re worried about.”
Only then did Oh Sangjin seem to relax slightly and nod.
The car drove on for quite some time.
They stopped at a highway rest area, filled their stomachs with cup ramen and rice balls, then set off again.
How much time had passed?
Familiar scenery slowly came into view beyond the window.
Closely trimmed lawns like dog tags, the Taegeukgi fluttering in the distance, and a creaking metal main gate welcomed them.
Oh Sangjin clasped his hands together on his knees, tension evident.
The jeep quietly came to a stop in the middle of the parade ground.
Second Lieutenant Kim Mincheol turned off the engine and spoke.
“Alright, we’re here. I’ll go with you for your return report. The company commander will explain the transfer details personally soon.”
Oh Sangjin opened the door and stepped out.
A familiar breeze brushed across his face.
It carried memories and emotions from the past.
But Oh Sangjin was no longer the same soldier he once was.
Neither the position of a victim nor the nights trembling in fear remained in this unit anymore.
Now, he was stepping forward toward a new military life and another reality.
Knock. Knock.
“Personnel officer reporting.”
“Come in.”
Captain Park Ingyo, the personnel officer, entered the battalion commander’s office and saluted.
“Loyalty. I have something to report.”
Lieutenant Colonel Seo Jinhyeok, seated at the desk, slowly lifted his gaze.
Though his voice was indifferent, it always carried tension.
“What is it?”
“The transferees you mentioned last time have arrived.”
Seo Jinhyeok’s eyebrow twitched slightly.
“The ones transferred from the 101st Infantry Division?”
“Yes, sir. That’s correct. Two transferees from the 101st Division.”
“Good. Proceed with the assignments as discussed.”
Captain Park Ingyo replied respectfully.
“Understood. I’ll adjust the personnel placement according to the plan.”
“Good work.”
With that brief exchange, Captain Park saluted again and quietly left the office.
Silence settled once more in the room.
Lieutenant Colonel Seo Jinhyeok set down the pen in his hand and leaned back in his chair.
After staring at the ceiling for a moment, he muttered with a low sigh.
“Hm….”
A company-scale transfer—especially to the military police—was not common.
Of course, when incidents occurred within the military, transferring personnel to another unit was not unusual.
Especially when victims and perpetrators needed to be separated, transfers were an implicit procedure for concealment and damage control.
But being sent to the military police was rare.
Seo Jinhyeok turned his gaze to the desk.
On it lay the transferees’ personal records. At the top of the document was a familiar name.
[101st Infantry Division / Transfer Requester: Lieutenant Colonel Park Chanwook]
Lieutenant Colonel Park Chanwook was a classmate from the Korea Military Academy—an upright, principled man.
He had contacted him directly a few days ago.
“Jinhyeok. You should keep a special eye on the kids I’m sending this time.”
That single sentence was all he’d said.
Within the military, a word from a KMA classmate carried more weight than simple personnel authority.
There was no reason to refuse, and no need to dig deeper.
“Manage them well until discharge, and if possible, keep them under observation.”
He’d added that too.
“Observation.”
That single word held many meanings.
Seo Jinhyeok glanced at the documents once more, then pushed them to the corner of his desk.
“Well, they’ll handle it.”
This was, ultimately, a matter between Lieutenant Colonel Park Chanwook and the transferees.
His responsibility ended here.
What came next was up to the individuals involved.
Seo Jinhyeok stood and looked out the window.
Beyond the gray sky, two newly transferred soldiers entering the base came into view.
Even then, there was no change in Seo Jinhyeok’s expression.
13th Military Police Battalion, Main Building – 1st Floor
In the gray waiting room, Oh Sangjin and Choi Kangho sat side by side.
Both had completed their transfer screenings, and shortly, their respective company assignments would be made.
They didn’t meet each other’s eyes, but each knew better than anyone that they were comrades who had endured the same incident.
“Private Choi Kangho.”
At the brief call, a private first class standing by the door stepped inside.
“Private Choi Kangho!”
Startled, Choi Kangho shouted his rank and name loudly.
Private First Class Lee Byeongcheol looked at him and said,
“You’re assigned to Headquarters Company. Follow me.”
“Yes!”
Choi Kangho stood, saluted crisply, and quickly followed Lee Byeongcheol.
As the door closed, Choi Kangho looked back at Oh Sangjin one last time.
They exchanged a brief but intense glance.
They didn’t need words.
They recognized each other—and knew they each had to endure in their own place.
A few minutes later, the door opened again.
This time, a young officer with a firm expression entered.
His gentle yet solid voice filled the room.
“Private Oh Sangjin.”
“Private Oh Sangjin!”
“I’m Second Lieutenant Park Juho. I’ll be your platoon leader from now on.”
Second Lieutenant Park Juho smiled naturally and extended his hand.
It was an unusual gesture toward a private, but today was an exception.
Oh Sangjin looked slightly flustered, then took his hand.
“Private Oh Sangjin. Thank you.”
“Come on. Follow me. You’re assigned to the 1st Platoon, 2nd Military Police Company.”
The two walked down the hallway together.
Within the quiet barracks, only the sound of their footsteps broke the silence.
