Topic
A multi-year effort in South Korea to curb prosecutors' power by separating investigation and indictment duties into new independent agencies.
Korea's Serious Crimes Investigation Agency opened on Oct 2 but cannot yet take over the cases prosecutors marked for transfer, because of system problems. Prosecutors may keep certain cases for up to 90 days under a legal carve-out, a window that runs to about Dec 31.
Reality
Korea's Serious Crimes Investigation Agency took over the prosecution's direct investigative powers with 1,962 of 2,874 posts filled and about 100 prosecutors. Its recruitment drives target police officers, many of whom weighed the move and have since backed off.
Reality
South Korea replaced its Prosecutors' Office with two agencies on October 2, leaving prosecutors able to charge but no longer investigate. Anyone facing a serious-crimes probe now deals with investigators at one agency and a charging decision at another.
Reality
Seoul Central District Court pushed residence-relocation closing arguments back two weeks, doubting seconded prosecutors' orders survived the agency change. The court wants fresh orders, though it is unclear whether those would cover hearings already held.
Reality
South Korea's opposition says the agency replacing the Prosecution Service drew applicants for only 68% of its authorized posts before opening on October 2. By that count, the new investigative body starts nearly a third short of its planned staff even if every applicant is hired.
Reality
The Prosecution Service is abolished in under two weeks. Its two successors are still waiting on a justice minister, a prosecutor general and a first commissioner, and on an organizational plan nobody has signed.
Reality