Koo Jahyun, Deputy Prosecutor General: "Over 500 Cases Per Prosecutor"... Prosecution Faces Critical Manpower Shortage

Emergency as Prosecution Faces Delays Ahead of Public Prosecution Office Launch
Jeong Seongho: "Nearly 100 Core Prosecutors Reassigned to Special Investigations"
President Lee Orders Measures, Citing "Serious Concerns Over Delays"

Koo Jahyun, the Acting Prosecutor General (and Deputy Prosecutor General), on March 31, effectively acknowledged concerns about prosecutors being overburdened with more than 500 cases each, stating, "There are no inaccuracies in the numbers reported by the media," regarding the backlog of cases at regional prosecutors’ offices. Justice Minister Jeong Seongho also revealed that around 100 of the prosecution’s core personnel have been reassigned to special investigation teams and joint investigation headquarters, further fueling concerns that the fallout from the upcoming organizational restructuring—driven by the launch of the Public Prosecution Office and the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency (SCIA) scheduled for October—is becoming a reality.

Yonhap News Agency

During a Cabinet meeting held at the Blue House earlier that day, President Lee Jaemyung asked Acting Prosecutor General Koo, "Some media reports say that each prosecutor is handling more than 500 cases and that cases are not being processed. Is that accurate?" Koo responded, "There are no inaccuracies in the numbers reported," adding, "The situation has reached its limit, and if staffing issues are not addressed, we anticipate significant difficulties."

Minister Jeong also explained, "Nearly 100 of the prosecution’s most capable prosecutors—who typically carry the workload equivalent to that of three to four rookie prosecutors—are currently assigned to the joint investigation headquarters, the second comprehensive special investigation, and ongoing prosecution tasks," adding, "We have appointed 12 acting prosecutors and are planning to recruit more than 40 experienced prosecutors earlier than last year."

President Lee commented, "Because of the current issues related to the adjustment of investigative powers, morale and motivation are likely quite low. It truly is a time of confusion." He continued, "It is not an easy task for the SCIA to immediately establish its systems, personnel, and organization. Serious delays could occur in processing pending and transferred cases."

Within the legal community, there is a consensus that the successive operation of three special investigations, a second comprehensive special investigation, and the joint prosecutor-police investigation headquarters since last year has intensified manpower shortages at local offices and rapidly increased the case backlog. With the launch of the Public Prosecution Office and the SCIA set for October, there are concerns that the transfer of cases and personnel redeployment could further aggravate confusion on the front lines.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.