South Korea's historic prosecution service to close as new agencies await leaders

On Friday, South Korea will officially end its 78-year-old prosecution service, transferring its duties to two new bodies: the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, which will handle warrants and court charges, and the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, tasked with probing major offenses such as corruption and economic crime. Both agencies are operating without appointed chiefs; the selection process for the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office head has not begun, and the justice minister’s position is empty after nominee Kim Seung-won withdrew amid lobbying allegations.

Lawyer Kim Ji-yong has been nominated to lead the investigative agency, but his appointment is pending further vetting and internal opposition. Staffing challenges persist, with roughly two-thirds of the investigative agency’s 2,874 posts filled by former prosecutors, while many have withdrawn applications. President Lee Jae Myung promoted the split to prevent the concentration of investigative and prosecutorial power that he says enables politically motivated cases. Critics warn the transition could cause confusion and instability, especially if future governments alter the structure.