South Korea has finalized a staffing quota of 2,874 personnel for the upcoming Major Crimes Investigation Agency [1].
This move marks a significant shift in the nation's legal landscape as the government implements a policy to separate the powers of investigation and prosecution. The transition follows the abolition of the Prosecutors' Office, an institution that existed for 78 years [1].
The agency is scheduled to officially open in October 2026 [1]. Of the total 2,874 confirmed positions, 2,567 are designated as investigators [1]. This means investigators will make up approximately 90% of the agency's total workforce [1]. The remaining staff will consist of general civil service employees [1].
To ensure a smooth transition, the government is offering a streamlined hiring process. Current prosecutors and investigators from the Prosecutors' Office may be appointed to the new agency without taking a separate examination [1]. This appointment window is open from the present time through April of next year [1].
Operationally, the agency will maintain a presence across the country. It will consist of a main headquarters and six regional offices [1].
"With the abolition of the Prosecutors' Office after 78 years, the Major Crimes Investigation Agency, which launches this October, has confirmed a quota of over 2,800 people," a YTN anchor said [1].
Regarding the staffing of the new entity, YTN reporter Lee Hyung-won said that prosecutors and investigators will be appointed in time for the opening if they wish, without a separate exam [1].
“The Major Crimes Investigation Agency... has confirmed a quota of over 2,800 people”
The establishment of the Major Crimes Investigation Agency represents a structural overhaul of South Korea's justice system. By stripping the Prosecutors' Office of its investigative authority and transferring personnel to a dedicated agency, the government aims to prevent the concentration of power within a single entity. The ability for existing prosecutors to transfer without exams suggests a priority on maintaining institutional expertise during the transition.
