Episode 2 of "Parole Officer Lee" kicks off with Attorney Lee solemnly taking the oath of office at the Department of Justice, his mind drifting back to his encounters with Chief Cheon as he pondered over the question posed to him regarding his feelings. Presently, Chief Cheon finds himself incarcerated at Jeoksong Prison, a grim consequence of his unwavering stance against granting parole to Myeong-seob, which ultimately led to his own arrest. A harrowing flashback unveils Chief Cheon's bravery in the face of threats; despite the peril, he steadfastly refused to approve the release, sealing his fate.
Attorney Lee, a seasoned correction officer, was acutely aware of the potential peril Chief Cheon's decision posed, yet he respected his colleague's adherence to ethical principles over personal safety. Following Chief Cheon's detention, Myeong-seob's parole case sailed through unanimously, an outcome that starkly contrasted with the earlier impasse.
Back at Jungbu Prison, Chairman Ji lounges in comfort, enjoying a luxurious seat massage as he awaits his pivotal parole hearing. Empowered by Attorney Lee's reassurances, Chairman Ji is buoyed by optimism, eagerly anticipating the day he can indulge in a proper massage beyond prison walls. Meanwhile, Director Son receives a jolting phone call informing him of Choi Jung-hak's arrest, a bombshell that infuriates Chairman Ji to the point of slapping Director Son. Jung-hak's unexpected presence in the country was a gross violation of Chairman Ji's plans. In a bid to rectify the situation, Chairman Ji dispatches Director Son and Attorney Seo to sort out the mess with Jung-hak.
Elsewhere, Chief Park and his team scrutinize the inmate list for parole classification review, their expressions clouded with concern. Chief Park is particularly perturbed by Officer Lee's enigmatic plan, which Officer Lee had confidentially revealed as an intention to halt Chairman Ji's release.
In his office, Officer Lee gazes thoughtfully at his letter of appointment, savoring the moment before diving into an exhaustive research on Chairman Ji's parole eligibility. His investigations lead him to Lieutenant An Seo-yun, prompting a visit to the police station. There, Officer Lee's path crosses with Attorney Seo, who has just secured Jung-hak's release from interrogation under Seo-yun's supervision. The stage is set for a complex interplay of loyalty, justice, and hidden agendas.
Officer Lee approaches Seo-yun with a request to gain access to Chairman Ji's confidential files, but she firmly declines his entreaty. In a nonchalant manner, he drops a bombshell by revealing his awareness of Attorney Seo's affiliation with the Ojung Group, sparking Seo-yun's curiosity about the hidden ties between Chairman Ji and Jung-hak, a club manager moonlighting as a supplier of illicit substances to high-profile patrons.
After exiting the police precinct, Attorney Seo fabricates a tale about escorting Jung-hak to the airport, but Jung-hak, sharp as a tack, sees through their deceit and retaliates with an assault before making a swift getaway. Director Son is incensed by Jung-hak's escape, yet they decide to keep Chairman Jin in the dark about the incident.
Meanwhile, Chairman Jin initiates a series of strategic moves in anticipation of his re-entry into society upon parole. To guarantee a favorable reception of his release, he dispatches Attorney Seo on a mission to bribe newspaper directors with the promise of boosting their advertising revenues through the Ojung Group. Furthermore, Chairman Ji seeks to curry favor with the civil society by making generous donations and even schedules a meeting with the parole officers. Director Son, on the other hand, convenes with all the parole officers, dangling carrots of perks in exchange for their approval of Chairman Jin's release during the upcoming hearing.
Elsewhere, Officer Lee remains relentless in his pursuit to thwart Chairman Ji's release. He once again turns to Won-min, this time successfully persuading him to file a lawsuit for defamation, adding another layer of complexity to the unfolding saga.
Won-min is plagued by the fear that Chairman Ji might end her life, prompting her initial refusal to cooperate. However, she eventually agrees after Officer Lee sweetens the deal with the promise of a gift. Officer Lee assigns Seo-yun the task of delving into the defamation case and securing justice for the victims. In an unexpected twist, Officer Lee unexpectedly confesses to being the author of the hate comments and steadfastly refuses to reconcile, insisting that Seo-yun and Joo-mok conduct a thorough investigation and bring the perpetrator to justice.
Meanwhile, Chairman Ji makes his way to the Department of Justice for a parole hearing that draws significant attention. Outside the DoJ offices, two rival groups clash: one protesting his release and the other, led by a paid activist, advocating for his freedom. Reporters are also on hand, eagerly awaiting the review committee's verdict.
Officer Lee's influence becomes apparent as he begins by successfully reversing the disqualification of another inmate who had previously been denied parole. He presents documents proving that a settlement had been reached between the plaintiff and the defendant, which had previously been the sole obstacle to the inmate's release. The officers then proceed to evaluate Chairman Ji's parole case. The examination yields a mixed result, with three examiners voting in favor of his release and two against. Director Son approaches one of the examiners but declines the offers presented.
Officer Lee, one of the two examiners opposing Chairman Ji's release, cites the ongoing defamation investigation against the Chairman as his reason for disqualification. He expresses concern that Chairman Ji's influence could impede the investigation and potentially jeopardize the plaintiff's life. Despite Officer Lee's objections, the majority vote still favors Chairman Ji's release. In response, Officer Lee presents a range of evidence, including photographs that reveal Chairman Ji's lack of reflection on his crimes while in prison.
Officer Lee emphasizes that Chairman Ji's influence extends beyond the prison walls, arguing that his release would undermine the investigation and pose a threat to the plaintiff's safety. To further support his claim, he even calls on Seo-yun to testify.
Seo-yun harbors a deep-seated grudge against Chairman Jin, driven by the tragic fact that her sister was the victim of Chairman Ji's son, who was nonetheless granted parole. Her powerful testimony swayed the examiners, prompting them to revoke the parole decision and plunge Chairman Ji into a fit of rage. It transpires that Officer Lee orchestrated every meticulous move, from orchestrating hateful comments online to capturing incriminating photos of Chairman Ji during his prison visit to Leo. He cunningly persuaded Seo-yun to become his ally and endorse his mischievous schemes.
By the episode's climax, Officer Lee approaches Choi Hwa-ran, the formidable gang leader, with a proposition for collaboration. Hwa-ran brushes him off, asserting that she is already well-equipped with an array of debt collection lawyers. Yet, Officer Lee insists on his uniqueness, vowing to assist her in reclaiming the funds she was duped out of in a daring scam.
