The prosecution’s direct investigation authority is transferred to the Major Crime Investigation Agency, and the duties of prosecution office prosecutors are reorganized to focus on indictment and maintenance. As a result, prosecutors will no longer be able to initiate investigations. The Major Crime Investigation Agency will investigate nine major crimes, including corruption, economy, public officials, elections, defense projects, major disasters, drugs, treason, and cyber crimes.
The Prosecution Reform Task Force announced that it will prepare the Prosecution Office Act and the Major Crime Investigation Agency Act, which outline the necessary details for the operation of the Prosecution Office and the Major Crime Investigation Agency set to launch in October. Yoon Chang-ryul, the Chief of the Government Coordination Office, explained the key contents of the bill at a press conference, emphasizing the strengthening of internal and external controls over prosecutors’ duties.
The Prosecution Office Act reorganizes prosecutors’ duties to focus on indictment and maintenance, and establishes a case review committee composed of external members to control prosecutors’ warrant requests and indictment authority. Additionally, it introduces criminal penalties for political involvement by prosecutors to strengthen political neutrality.
The Major Crime Investigation Agency Act sets the agency’s investigation targets to focus on intelligent and organized white-collar crimes, and includes major disaster crimes and cyber crimes with significant social impact. The agency is designed to be open to various experts from fields other than the prosecution and police to enhance investigation capabilities.