The Appearance of the Public Corruption Investigation Office Takes Shape... First Investigation Scheduled to Begin in April

Director Kim "Many applicants, process may take time"... Accelerating internal adjustments including laws and regulations

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] The 'No. 1 case' of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (Gong-su-cheo) is expected to take shape only in April. Due to the large number of applicants for the Gong-su-cheo prosecutor recruitment, the interview and other selection procedures may take longer than expected. Director Kim Jin-wook also said, "There are so many prosecutor applicants that it seems difficult to finish interviews within February," adding, "(The investigation start time) will have to be in April."

According to the legal community on the 12th, a large number of applicants flooded the open recruitment for Gong-su-cheo prosecutors and investigators. More than ten times the number of recruits applied, overturning initial expectations that there would be a shortage of applicants due to unfavorable regulations.

As a result of the application deadline for Gong-su-cheo investigators held from the 3rd to the 5th, 293 people applied for 30 positions, showing a competition rate of 9.7 to 1. The prosecutor recruitment, which closed a day earlier than the investigator recruitment, also saw 233 applicants for a total of 23 positions including chief prosecutors and regular prosecutors, showing a competition rate of 10 to 1.

For investigators, 166 and 39 people applied respectively for the positions of Prosecutor Inspector (Grade 6) and Assistant Prosecutor Inspector (Grade 7), which each recruit 10 people, recording competition rates of 16.6 to 1 and 3.9 to 1. For the Prosecutor Officer (Grade 5), which selects 8 people, 85 applied, showing a competition rate of 10.6 to 1. However, only 3 people applied for the Secretary (Grade 4) position, which recruits 2 people.

Gong-su-cheo investigators are judicial police officers who investigate crimes of high-ranking officials under the direction and supervision of Gong-su-cheo prosecutors. Their term is 6 years with the possibility of renewal, and the retirement age is 60. Their salary and treatment correspond to those of prosecutorial public officials of Grade 7 or higher below Grade 4. Director Kim recently said in a briefing, "We will ensure renewals to the maximum extent allowed by law," adding, "There is also a path to become a prosecutor after gaining experience."

The prosecutor recruitment also showed a high competition rate. About half of the prosecutor applicants, who showed a 10 to 1 competition rate, were former prosecutors, and about 30 women applied. Director Kim commented on the recruitment results, saying, "Applications were balanced according to the proportion each group occupies in the legal community."

Previously, the legal community expected a shortage of applicants due to regulations such as a basic term of 3 years, a 1-year restriction on handling Gong-su-cheo cases after retirement, and a 2-year restriction on prosecutor appointments after retirement. Director Kim also admitted, "We thought there would be many applicants," adding, "It means there is that much public interest."

Gong-su-cheo prosecutors are responsible for investigating, prosecuting, and maintaining public prosecution of crimes related to high-ranking officials. Their term is 3 years and can be renewed up to three times. Director Kim stated that unless there are special disqualifications, all applicants will be given the opportunity to take the interview. Deputy Director Yeo Woon-guk mentioned that the interview criteria will focus on enthusiasm for trying advanced investigative techniques, ability, experience, and sense of mission.

Along with personnel composition, the organization formation is accelerating. With the Constitutional Court's ruling that the Gong-su-cheo Act is constitutional, the controversy over its 'basis for existence' has been resolved, easing the burden in appointing deputy directors, recruiting prosecutors and investigators, and revising internal regulations.

Internally, internal regulations covering approval matters and responsibility, as well as service rules for public employees, have been prepared. A Gong-su-cheo official explained, "All processes including personnel recruitment, organizational restructuring, and work coordination must be based on Gong-su-cheo rules, directives, and ordinances," adding, "We plan to prepare basic laws through legal advice before the recruitment of deputy directors, prosecutors, and investigators is completed and full activities begin."

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