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South Korea Revises New Crime Agency Plan After Prosecution Reform Backlash

The South Korean government has revised bills to establish two new agencies to replace the prosecution's powers after criticism the initial plan was too similar to the current system. The revised bill for the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency reduces its investigative scope from nine to six major crime types, excluding areas like public official crimes to avoid overlap with other agencies. It also simplifies the organizational structure by classifying all personnel as investigators with graded ranks instead of separating prosecutors and general investigators. Meanwhile, the revised bill for the Indictment Agency strengthens disciplinary measures and protections for prosecutors.

Key Points: S. Korea Revises New Investigation Agency After Criticism

  • Reduces agency's scope from 9 to 6 crime types
  • Removes distinction between prosecutors and investigators
  • Adds dismissal as disciplinary action for prosecutors
  • Bans unfair treatment of prosecutors objecting to orders
2 min read

South Korean Govt revises role, organisation of new investigation agency after backlash

South Korea revises bills for new serious crimes agency, reducing its scope from 9 to 6 crime types after public and political backlash.

"revised bill, however, reduces the number to six, excluding crimes involving public officials, elections and large-scale disasters - Prosecution Reform Task Force"

Seoul, Feb 24

The South Korean government has revised bills on the establishment of two bodies set to replace the prosecution following criticism they were designed to be little different from the current prosecution service, a task force said Tuesday.

The so-called serious crimes investigation agency and the indictment agency are set to be established in October under a government reorganisation bill that passed the National Assembly last September, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The two bodies will replace the prosecution office and take on its investigative and indictment powers, respectively, as part of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung administration's drive to address longstanding criticism that the prosecution has abused its exclusive powers by carrying out politically motivated investigations.

Under the initial bills unveiled last month, the investigation agency was tasked with investigating nine major types of crimes,

The corresponding revised bill, however, reduces the number to six, excluding crimes involving public officials, elections and large-scale disasters, to reflect concerns that the scope was too large and could overlap with the powers of other agencies, according to the prosecution reform task force under the Prime Minister's Office.

The revised bill calls for the new agency to open investigations into crimes involving corruption, economic offences, the defence industry, narcotics, cyber activities, and insurrections and foreign aggression.

It also simplifies the organisational chart to remove the distinction between prosecutors and general professional investigators proposed in the original bill.

Under the new bill, all investigators will be classified as investigators but ranked from Grades 1 to 9 based on their expertise and roles.

No change was made to the title of the agency's chief, which will remain "prosecutor general."

The revised bill for the indictment agency, meanwhile, adds the dismissal of a prosecutor as a disciplinary action, whereas originally a prosecutor could only be dismissed upon being impeached or receiving a prison sentence.

It also bans the unfair treatment of prosecutors who raise objections about the fairness of a superior's orders.

The task force said it has issued legislative notices on the revised bills that will run through Thursday.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Good move by South Korea! Politically motivated investigations are a global problem. The ban on unfair treatment for prosecutors who raise objections is crucial for internal accountability. We need similar safeguards in our systems here. 👍
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Rohit P
Excluding crimes involving public officials and elections from the new agency's scope is a bit concerning. Isn't that where political interference is most likely? Feels like they kept the "prosecutor general" title but changed little else. Hope the revision actually brings change.
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Sarah B
Simplifying the organizational chart by removing the distinction between prosecutors and investigators is a smart, modern approach. A unified team with clear grades based on expertise could improve efficiency. Wonder if this model could work elsewhere.
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Vikram M
Focus on corruption, economic offences, and cyber crimes is spot on for the 21st century. These are the real threats to national security and public trust now. Good to see them prioritizing.
M
Michael C
Reforms after public backlash show a responsive government. The key will be implementation. Often, the spirit of the law gets lost in execution. Hope they have strong oversight mechanisms in place.

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