Ministry of Justice Proposes Organizational Reform to Eliminate 'Half' of Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Direct Investigation Units

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae is attending a meeting held before the meeting of the Supreme Court Justice Nomination Committee on the afternoon of the 9th at the Supreme Court reception room in Seocho-gu, Seoul, listening attentively to the opening remarks by Chief Justice Kim Myung-soo. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The Ministry of Justice is confirmed to be planning an organizational restructuring that will reduce the number of direct investigation divisions at Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, the largest prosecution office in the country, by half. It is expected to be implemented as early as next week.

According to the legal community on the 10th, the Ministry of Justice is preparing and about to push forward a reorganization plan to reduce the four Anti-Corruption Investigation Divisions at Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office to two, and the three Public Investigation Divisions to two. The plan reportedly also includes abolishing several representative recognition investigation divisions such as the Public Transaction Investigation Division and converting them into frontline criminal divisions.

The reorganization plan was originally pursued by the Ministry of Justice last year but was halted. Deputy Minister of Justice Kim Oh-soo mentioned this plan while reporting on the progress of prosecution reform to President Moon Jae-in in November last year. When this information became public and sparked controversy, the Ministry of Justice stepped back, stating it would proceed after consulting with the Supreme Prosecutors' Office. After Minister Choo took office, it appears the plan was revived. Although the plan has not yet been delivered to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, last year, when the controversy arose, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office gathered opinions from the relevant divisions and submitted a letter opposing the plan to the Ministry of Justice.

The organizational restructuring is expected to proceed as early as next week. Once approved by the State Council, it can be implemented immediately. The Ministry of Justice included this content while revising the presidential decree on the 'Regulations on the Organization of the Prosecutors' Office.' The Ministry of Justice is also planning to announce mid-level executive and prosecutor promotions and transfers within this month, so it is known to be aiming to complete the restructuring before then.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.