Preparatory Task Force for the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency Launched... Preparing for Transfer of Investigative Capabilities

Comprised of Three Divisions, Operated by a Team of 64
Building Operational Infrastructure Including Offices and Information Systems
Collaboration with Relevant Agencies to Advance Preparatory Tasks

The Preparatory Task Force for the Establishment of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency (hereinafter referred to as the Preparatory Task Force), a dedicated organization set up to ensure the stable launch of the agency, will be launched on April 30, 2026.

The Preparatory Task Force will be established under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, with Kim Minjae, Vice Minister of the Ministry, serving as its head, and Lee Jinyong, the Second Deputy Chief Prosecutor at the Incheon District Prosecutors’ Office, serving as deputy head.

Kim Minjae, Vice Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. Photo by Jo Yongjun

The organization will be comprised of three divisions: General Affairs, Investigation Practice Planning, and Finance and Facilities, with a total staff of 64. Personnel will be seconded from relevant ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Prosecutors’ Office, and the National Police Agency.

The team will mainly consist of investigators and personnel with hands-on investigative experience, with the goal of ensuring seamless investigative work even after the official launch of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency on October 2, 2026.

The Preparatory Task Force will establish the institutional foundations necessary for the operation of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency. This includes revising relevant laws, rules, and operational regulations, as well as setting up systems for investigative procedures and inter-agency cooperation. The team will also design the detailed organizational structure, personnel deployment standards, HR regulations, and will be in charge of recruiting civil servants to work at the agency.

The transfer of ongoing cases and investigative capabilities from existing investigative agencies is also being prepared. The Task Force will establish procedures and plans for the transfer of cases and criminal intelligence, and set up workflows for warrant applications, case referrals, and other case management processes. There are also plans for a phased transfer of personnel and expertise in key investigative fields such as anti-corruption, economic crimes, narcotics, and forensic investigations.

Additionally, the Preparatory Task Force will build the operational infrastructure of the agency, including physical offices and information systems. Efforts will be made to secure and remodel headquarters and regional offices, create investigation facilities and office space, and establish essential electronic systems such as the Korea Criminal Justice Information Service (KICS), electronic approval systems, and the agency’s website to support its work.

Going forward, the Preparatory Task Force will collaborate with relevant agencies such as the Office for Government Policy Coordination, the Ministry of Justice, and the National Police Agency, and will proceed with preparations for the agency’s launch in a step-by-step manner.

Yoon Hojoong, Minister of the Interior and Safety, stated, "With the launch of the Preparatory Task Force, preparations for the establishment of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency—such as securing offices, organizing personnel, and building systems—are now on track. We will do our utmost to ensure the new agency protects the rights of the people and earns public trust as a reliable investigative body."

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