Chapter 15

Upon entering the auction and dividend courtroom of the Civil Execution Division at the Seoul Northern District Court, a distinct solemnity hung in the air, typical of institutions that served as the core of public authority. A few people wearing crossbody bags paced the hallway outside the courtroom. Each of them held small business cards or flyers. Seeing “Loan Consultation” printed in bold letters on the flyers, they appeared to be predatory lenders from tertiary financial institutions offering high-interest loans. Then again, everyone who entered the building had passed through the X-ray scanners at the entrance, so they couldn’t be overly dangerous.