Serious Crimes Investigation Agency Launches Under Acting Leadership After Championing 'Restraint'... "We Promise More Accurate Investigations"

[Financial News] The Serious Crimes Investigation Agency officially launched on the 2nd, bringing an end to the 78-year prosecution service system. With its inaugural chief's post vacant, the agency began operations under Deputy Chief Jeon Jong-min as acting chief and made restrained investigations its top principle.
The agency intends to respond firmly to serious crimes while conducting accurate investigations that do not infringe on citizens' basic rights through excessive investigative measures. However, swiftly stabilizing the unfinished organization remains an immediate task amid the vacancy in the chief's post, a shortage of personnel and the limited operation of the Korea Information System of Criminal Justice Services (KICS).

At the opening ceremony held at the agency's headquarters in Rennes Square, Seoul's Jung-gu district, Deputy Chief Jeon Jong-min reaffirmed the principle of separating investigation from prosecution.
Deputy Chief Jeon said, "Just as one person cannot be both a player and a referee, it is difficult for an institution to hold itself to strict standards when it controls both investigation and prosecution." He added, "In a cycle where an investigation justifies a prosecution and the prosecution in turn justifies the investigation, it is difficult for anyone to stop themselves."
He continued, "From now on, we will separate investigation and prosecution," while emphasizing, "Dividing power alone is not enough. That division is complete only when each of the separated powers exercises restraint on its own."
He presented restraint as the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency's first investigative principle. Deputy Chief Jeon said, "A search and seizure conducted without narrowing down the allegations can strip an entire office bare, while an investigation that fails to uncover the truth can consume several years of a person's life." He added, "The less certain investigators are, the more broadly an investigation tends to spread."
He explained, "Restraint does not mean conducting fewer investigations. It is a promise to be more accurate." He added, "Our efforts to strengthen investigative capabilities are not intended to make more cuts, but to remove the root of the problem with fewer cuts."
He also delivered a message reflecting concerns raised over excessive investigations and human rights violations in past cases. Deputy Chief Jeon emphasized, "We will not forget that a person's name and daily life lie beneath the blade of investigative power." He added, "Taking the mistakes of the past as a mirror, we will not repeat the same wrongdoing under a different name." He continued, "We will become an investigative agency that responds firmly to serious crimes but exercises the utmost caution when it comes to the public's freedoms and rights."
Senior officials attending the opening ceremony also called on the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency to respond firmly to crime while upholding human rights and due process.
Yun Ho-jung, minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS), said, "The Serious Crimes Investigation Agency has a duty to investigate serious crimes that threaten democracy and a fair free-market order with the utmost rigor." He added, "At the same time, it must faithfully fulfill its mission of protecting the human rights of socially vulnerable people."
He particularly emphasized cooperation with other criminal justice institutions, including the police and the Prosecution Service. Minister Yun said, "Even if investigation and prosecution are separated, responsibility to the public must not be divided." He added, "We must establish a seamless cooperation system so that no gaps arise from the beginning to the end of a case."
Noh Gyeong-pil, chief of the National Court Administration, said, "The way to meet expectations is to uphold principles." He added, "Complying with due process and respecting human rights are not factors that restrict investigations. Rather, they form the foundation for the sweat and efforts of investigators to produce legitimate results."
Seo Young-kyo, chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee of the National Assembly, emphasized the investigative expertise of the agency's personnel. She said, "The National Assembly will support the agency through legislation and funding so that it can grow into an institution that effectively apprehends criminals while protecting and compensating victims."


However, significant challenges remain before the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency can establish its full lineup. The agency launched with approximately 1,900 personnel, or about 66% of its authorized staff of 2,874. Its inaugural chief has yet to be appointed, so Deputy Chief Jeon will serve as acting chief for the time being.
Deputy Chief Jeon was also aware of these concerns. He said, "I am well aware that many people are concerned that the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency may have been launched without sufficient preparation." He added, "We will not dismiss these concerns. By answering them one by one, we will turn skeptical views into trust." He continued, "We will stabilize the organization as soon as possible."
Kim Young-jin, chair of the Security and Public Administration Committee, also said in his congratulatory remarks, "We will join forces to swiftly address and resolve the absence of the agency's inaugural chief and the shortage of personnel so that it can become fully established as soon as possible."
The event was attended by Deputy Chief Jeon, the chiefs of six regional Serious Crimes Investigation Agencies, senior officials from headquarters and the Seoul office, and investigators. From around 9:30 a.m., employees carrying luggage and shopping bags began arriving at Rennes Square. Investigators who could not find seats stood at the back of the venue and on the stairs to watch the opening ceremony. A banner at the back of the venue read, "We will become a dependable Serious Crimes Investigation Agency that protects the lives of the public from serious crimes."
Expectations for the launch of the new organization were accompanied by concerns about its operational preparations. Some employees discussed the fact that KICS had not yet been fully established. In practice, the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency will initially activate only some KICS functions, including case intake, registration and assignment, upon its launch.
 
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