Key facts
- South Korea's Public Prosecution Service will launch on October 2.
- The new agency will have 80-85% of the current statutory quota of 2,292 prosecutors.
- The Ministry of Justice plans further reductions through a legal revision.
- Police will assume all investigative powers starting October 2.
- Prosecutors will be limited to filing indictments.
SEOUL, Sept. 22 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's Public Prosecution Service, set to launch on October 2, will initially operate with 80-85 percent of its current statutory quota of prosecutors, with plans for further reductions through a legal revision, the justice ministry announced Tuesday. The ministry stated that the Cabinet approved legal amendments concerning the organization of the Public Prosecution Service and the number of prosecutors, incorporating public opinions gathered during a legislative notice period. This reform is part of a broader government initiative to strip prosecutors of their independent investigative powers. The amendments include further cuts to investigative personnel compared to the initial proposal, the elimination of three deputy chief prosecutor-level posts and eight departments, and the renaming of certain departments that had faced controversy. The number of prosecutors at the new agency, a key point of contention, will be set at 80-85 percent of the 2,292 prosecutors currently authorized under the Prosecutor Quota Act. The ministry intends to pursue an amendment to the Prosecutor Quota Act to further decrease the number of prosecutors. As of October 2, police will be responsible for all investigations, while prosecutors' roles will be confined to filing indictments.