The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (Gongsucheo) "Needs to Increase to 40 Prosecutors and 80 Investigators"... Publishes Policy Research Report on Strengthening Organizational Capabilities

Policy research report on organizational capacity enhancement measures published by the Corruption Investigation Office on the 15th.

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] The High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency (HCIA) has published a policy research report stating that the current quota of 25 HCIA prosecutors should be increased to 40, and the quota of 40 investigators should be increased to 80.

On the 15th, HCIA announced the publication of a policy research report on measures to strengthen the HCIA's organizational capabilities.

HCIA stated, "As opinions have been raised mainly by the National Assembly and the media regarding the need to secure additional personnel and strengthen investigative capabilities to enhance the HCIA's organizational capacity, a policy research project was commissioned in May. The Korea Policy Capability Promotion Institute conducted the research from June to October over four months."

HCIA also said, "This policy research on strengthening the HCIA's organizational capabilities objectively diagnosed the HCIA organization by comparing it with domestic institutions of similar size and derived the appropriate number of investigative personnel and administrative staff required to perform institutional maintenance functions (administrative functions)."

It added, "Furthermore, based on the organizational diagnosis results, we proposed amendments to the HCIA Act to increase the number of administrative staff performing institutional maintenance functions, conducted a detailed analysis of similar overseas anti-corruption investigative agencies, and explored measures to cultivate excellent talent through enhanced education and training."

The policy research report categorized HCIA functions into investigative and prosecution functions, investigative planning and support functions, and institutional maintenance functions. It presented the appropriate organizational size through in-depth interviews with members and comparative analysis of organizational structures with domestic institutions, including the Anti-Corruption Investigation Division of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office.

First, for investigative and prosecution functions, it was determined necessary to reorganize into a system of four dedicated investigative departments and one prosecution department to enhance investigative expertise and capabilities. The investigative planning and support functions were deemed necessary to maintain their existing roles.

Regarding institutional maintenance functions, when compared with five institutions of similar size to HCIA, such as the Personal Information Protection Commission and the Administrative City Construction Agency, it was analyzed that at least two bureaus and four divisions as subordinate organizations are required to perform common essential functions such as personnel, general affairs, accounting, National Assembly liaison, public relations, and inspection.

The policy research report also presented the appropriate scale of prosecutors, investigators, and administrative personnel needed for the optimal organizational size.

First, considering the number of prosecutors in the Anti-Corruption Investigation Division of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (7 to 8 prosecutors per department), it was analyzed that assigning 7 prosecutors per department, totaling 35 prosecutors for the five investigative and prosecution departments, plus 3 for the investigative planning and support department, and 1 each for the chief and deputy chief, results in a total of 40 prosecutors needed.

For investigators, a total of 52 personnel, approximately twice the number of prosecutors, are required in the four investigative departments, and 28 are needed in the prosecution and investigative planning and support departments, resulting in an appropriate total of 80 investigators.

Administrative personnel mainly handle institutional maintenance functions. Considering currently deployed personnel, HCIA civil servants, and the appropriate staffing for operating two bureaus and four divisions as determined by the organizational scale, a total of 50 administrative staff are concluded to be necessary.

Based on this analysis, the policy research report proposed amendments to the HCIA Act to revise the quotas to "up to 40" prosecutors, "up to 80" investigators, and "up to 50" administrative personnel.

The report also included a comparative analysis of four overseas public official corruption investigation agencies: Singapore's Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB), Taiwan's Agency Against Corruption (AAC), the UK's Serious Fraud Office (SFO), and Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), examining their personnel, investigation targets, types of crimes investigated, and whether they possess investigative and prosecutorial authority.

An HCIA official stated, "We provided the policy research report to the National Assembly and others to support objective data necessary for amending the HCIA Act, including adjusting the number of administrative staff. Internally, it will be used for personnel management aligned with strengthening organizational capabilities, such as future organizational restructuring and personnel allocation."

Director Kim Jin-wook said, "I hope that this policy research report, developed through long-term study and analysis, will serve as objective evidence reflecting the HCIA's current situation to realize the expansion of investigative and administrative personnel. I expect that the chronic manpower shortage in both investigative and administrative fields will be resolved soon, creating an environment where prosecutors and investigators can focus on their core investigative duties."

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