South Korea abolishes state prosecution service after 78 years
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Güneşli
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South Korea has officially abolished its state prosecution service, ending an institution that had operated since the country's founding in 1948, and introduced a new criminal justice structure that separates investigative and prosecutorial functions.
The reform package, approved by the National Assembly and signed into law, replaces the former prosecution service with a newly established Public Prosecution Service, which will operate under the Ministry of Justice and focus exclusively on reviewing cases, filing indictments and conducting public prosecutions.
New agencies take over investigations
Under the new legislation, a separate Major Crimes Investigation Agency, operating under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, will assume responsibility for directly investigating seven categories of serious crimes, including corruption and major financial offences, while also handling crimes targeting vulnerable groups.
Most general criminal investigations will now be carried out by the National Police Agency, completing a broader redistribution of investigative powers that has been under discussion for several years.
Although the former prosecution service has been dissolved, the titles of prosecutor and deputy chief prosecutor will remain in use within the newly established prosecutorial system.
Reform aims to reduce concentration of power
According to Yonhap News Agency, the overhaul follows years of domestic criticism that excessive investigative and prosecutorial authority had been concentrated in a single institution, raising concerns over abuse of power and political influence.
The prosecution service has frequently been at the centre of political controversy during changes of government, with allegations of politically motivated investigations and selective prosecutions becoming a recurring issue in South Korean politics.
Government officials said the new institutional framework is intended to strengthen checks and balances within the criminal justice system by separating investigative responsibilities from prosecutorial decision-making while preserving the rule of law.(ILKHA)
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