The government has announced a legislative notice to transfer the prosecution’s direct investigation authority to the Serious Crime Investigation Agency (SCIA) and reorganize prosecutors’ duties to focus on indictment and maintenance, in accordance with the principle of separating investigation and prosecution. Prosecutors will no longer be able to initiate investigations, aiming to prevent abuse of investigative powers and strengthen political neutrality. The SCIA, under the supervision of the Minister of the Interior and Safety, will be responsible for investigating nine major crimes, including corruption, economic crimes, public officials, elections, defense projects, major disasters, drugs, national security, and cybercrimes. This reform was presented at a press briefing by Yoon Chang-ryul, Chief of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, on January 12, 2026.
The Prosecution Reform Task Force announced that the Prosecution Office Act and the Serious Crime Investigation Agency Act, necessary for the operation of the new agencies scheduled to launch in October, will be open for legislative notice from June 12 to 26. The Prosecution Office Act removes investigation and initiation from prosecutors’ duties, clearly defining them as an indictment-focused institution. External oversight mechanisms, such as the Case Review Committee and Qualification Review Committee, have been strengthened, and new regulations for criminal punishment of political involvement have been introduced. The SCIA will investigate not only crimes previously handled by the prosecution but also nine major crimes specified by presidential decree, with a dual system of investigation judicial officers and professional investigators for flexible personnel management.
Yoon Chang-ryul emphasized the need for swift legislation and thorough follow-up measures, including organizational, personnel, and system establishment, as well as amendments to related criminal procedure laws to be submitted to the National Assembly. The Prosecution Office will structurally block direct investigations by prosecutors and control indictment and warrant authority through an externally composed Case Review Committee. Prosecutors’ performance evaluations will reasonably reflect appeal rates, retrial rates, and acquittal rates, strengthening accountability. The SCIA is designed as an open system for cooperation with police and experts from various fields, enhancing the nation’s response capabilities to major crimes.
With the launch of the SCIA and the Prosecution Office, the institutional separation of investigation and prosecution will be established, strengthening the national response to serious crimes. Legal guarantees for prosecutors’ political neutrality, authority control, and human rights protection are expected to increase public trust. The system will also enhance responses to socially impactful crimes such as drugs and cybercrimes. The specification of major crimes by presidential decree, flexible personnel management, and external oversight mechanisms will contribute to greater transparency and fairness in law enforcement.