Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office increases staff at Human Rights Protection Division: "Stronger judicial oversight amid surge in police warrant requests"

In line with the first-half reshuffle of junior prosecutors on the 9th, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office increased the number of prosecutors at its Human Rights Protection Division from five to six. Of the six prosecutors now assigned there, three are senior deputy chief prosecutors who are candidates for promotion to chief prosecutor, a move intended to strengthen the division’s capabilities.
The expansion comes in response to a recent surge in direct investigations by the police and in the number of warrant applications. According to the prosecution service, the number of search-and-seizure warrants requested by the police last year rose 25.7% compared with 2023. Applications for arrest warrants and communications warrants also increased by 12% and 12.7%, respectively.
The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office plans to place experienced prosecutors at the forefront so it can provide swift support for police investigations while maintaining strict judicial oversight. Under the Regulations on the Organization of the Prosecutors’ Office, the Human Rights Protection Division reviews various warrants requested by the police, monitors investigations for legal violations and human rights abuses, and, when necessary, exercises its authority to demand corrective measures.
An official from the prosecution service stated, "Based on our enhanced human resources, we will make prompt decisions on police warrant applications while preventing human rights violations in the course of compulsory investigations through reasonable requests for supplementary investigations."

kyu0705@fnnews.com Reporter Kim Dong-gyu Reporter