Seoul:South Korea has implemented a significant reform of its criminal justice system by launching a new prosecution service solely focused on indictments and a separate investigation agency. These changes, effective from Friday, replace the traditional prosecutors' office after 78 years.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency (SCIA) and the restructured Prosecution Service were officially inaugurated, marking a shift in how criminal justice is administered in the country. This reform addresses longstanding criticism that prosecutors held too much power by managing both investigations and indictments.
Under the new system, prosecutorial powers are limited to indicting and maintaining cases, while the police gain greater control over criminal investigations. The 42 investigation departments within the prosecution have been disbanded, with their responsibilities transferred to the SCIA.
The SCIA is tasked with investigating major crimes in areas such as corruption, economic offenses, defense acquisition, drug offenses, state security crimes, cybercrimes, and legal distortions. Interior Minister Yun Ho-jung emphasized the need for strong cooperation between the new agencies, asserting that responsibility to the public remains undivided despite the separation of investigations and indictments.
Despite the reforms, there is concern about potential excessive authority for police and less oversight of their investigations. Recent incidents, including a mishandled missing person case on Jeju Island, have intensified scrutiny of police operations. Critics question the feasibility of prosecutors effectively pursuing indictments without investigative powers.
The agencies launched without appointed leaders, raising concerns about decision-making efficiency. President Lee Jae Myung has proposed Kim Ji-yong, a former prosecutor, to lead the SCIA. However, Kim's nomination has met resistance from some political factions. He has pledged to uphold the spirit of prosecutorial reform and address concerns during his confirmation hearing.
The SCIA is also facing staffing challenges, operating with only about 1,900 employees, which is 66 percent of its intended workforce. On its first day, the agency received several criminal complaints, including accusations against Samsung Electronics and SK hynix executives over alleged breaches of trust, and a controversial complaint against President Lee and former Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back regarding a mine blast incident in the Demilitarized Zone. The South Korean military has attributed the blast to North Korea, a claim that North Korea has denied.