South Korea has finalized a total staffing level of 2,874 personnel for the new Central Major Crime Investigation Agency [1].
This restructuring represents a fundamental shift in the nation's legal system by separating the powers of investigation and prosecution. By abolishing the existing prosecution office's investigative role, the government aims to establish a dedicated body for handling major crimes to ensure a more balanced distribution of legal authority [1, 2].
The agency consists of a main headquarters and six regional offices [1]. Of the total staff, 2,567 positions are designated for investigators [1]. This means investigators will make up approximately 90% of the agency's workforce [1].
The transition process began in September 2024, when the government initiated appointment procedures [3]. The agency officially launched on Oct. 2, 2024 [2].
To facilitate the transition, the government has allowed current prosecutors and investigators from the existing prosecution offices to join the new agency. Lee Hyung-won, a YTN reporter, said, "Prosecutors and investigators can be appointed in time for the opening without a separate exam if they wish" [1]. This measure ensures that experienced legal personnel can move into the new structure without the barrier of additional testing.
The staffing decision comes as part of a broader effort to refine how major crimes are handled within the South Korean justice system. By concentrating investigators in a specialized agency, the government intends to streamline the process of gathering evidence, while leaving the formal prosecution of cases to a separate entity [1, 2].
“The new agency will have 2,874 positions”
The creation of the Central Major Crime Investigation Agency is a structural attempt to resolve long-standing tensions over the concentrated power of South Korean prosecutors. By stripping the prosecution office of its investigative authority and transferring that power to a specialized agency, the government is implementing a check-and-balance system designed to reduce the potential for political influence and abuse of power in criminal investigations.
