National Assembly Passes Bill to Establish Major Crimes Investigation Agency

The bill on the establishment and operation of the Major Crimes Investigation Agency was passed in a plenary session of the National Assembly on the 21st, under the leadership of the ruling party.

The newly established Major Crimes Investigation Agency will operate under the Minister of the Interior and Safety, investigating six major crime categories including corruption, economic crimes, defense industry offenses, drug-related crimes, rebellion, foreign exchange crimes, and cybercrimes, as well as justice-distorting cases and crimes committed by public officials while in office. Investigators at the agency will consist of specialized civil servants ranked from Grade 1 to Grade 9. Public recruitment will be the principle, but hiring experienced professionals will also be permitted.

The provision requiring 'notification to the prosecution upon commencement of investigation,' which was included in the government's original bill, was removed following consultation between the ruling party and the government. The Democratic Party plans to follow up with subsequent legislation, such as amendments to the Criminal Procedure Act.

Under the Prosecution Service Act, processed the previous day, the prosecution will solely handle prosecutorial functions in line with the principle of separating investigation and prosecution, and will operate on a three-tiered structure comprising the central prosecution office, regional prosecution offices, and local prosecution offices. Furthermore, the authority to direct and supervise special judicial police, previously held by the prosecution, has been abolished, a clause prohibiting abuse of power has been newly established, and dismissal has been explicitly stipulated as a disciplinary ground for prosecutors, allowing for their removal from office without impeachment proceedings.