South Korea’s prosecution reform reshapes how crimes reach the courtroom



Analysis South Korea’s prosecution reform reshapes how crimes reach the courtroom Police now lead most investigations while prosecutors review evidence and request further work under tighter deadlines Joon Ha ParkOctober 22, 2026 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON The logo of the new ROK Prosecution Service and President Lee Jae Myung saluting police personnel during an appointment ceremony for newly promoted police lieutenants and captains \| Image: ROK Prosecution Service, Blue House (March 17, 2026), edited by Korea Pro South Korea’s abolition of its 78-year-old Prosecutors’ Office has fundamentally changed how crimes are investigated and prosecuted, dividing powers once concentrated in a single institution among several agencies. The overhaul, which took effect Oct. 2, separates criminal investigations from decisions on whether to bring suspects to trial. A new Serious Crimes Investigation Agency (SCIA) handles designated major offenses, while the restructured Prosecution Service decides whether to file charges and presents cases in court. Police conduct most other investigations and must gather additional evidence when prosecutors request it. The reform, spearheadedby President Lee Jae Myung’s ruling Democratic Party (DP), © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. LATEST ANALYSIS 01South Korea’s US$744 billion climate change plan faces first financial test 02SK Hynix’s China plans pose test for US semiconductor investment goals 03South Korea to legalize abortion pills despite unresolved gaps in the law 04South Korea’s rate hike risks hitting indebted households hardest 05South Korea’s won faces a new test as foreign bond buying loses momentum 06Trump’s Russian diesel deal may leave South Korea’s refining boom intact 07Trump’s Alaska LNG claim shows who really runs the US-South Korea alliance 08South Korea’s missile defense push raises new questions over wartime stocks

Analysis

South Korea’s prosecution reform reshapes how crimes reach the courtroom

Police now lead most investigations while prosecutors review evidence and request further work under tighter deadlines

Joon Ha ParkOctober 22, 2026

South Korea’s prosecution reform reshapes how crimes reach the courtroom

The logo of the new ROK Prosecution Service and President Lee Jae Myung saluting police personnel during an appointment ceremony for newly promoted police lieutenants and captains | Image: ROK Prosecution Service, Blue House (March 17, 2026), edited by Korea Pro

South Korea’s abolition of its 78-year-old Prosecutors’ Office has fundamentally changed how crimes are investigated and prosecuted, dividing powers once concentrated in a single institution among several agencies.

The overhaul, which took effect Oct. 2, separates criminal investigations from decisions on whether to bring suspects to trial.

A new Serious Crimes Investigation Agency (SCIA) handles designated major offenses, while the restructured Prosecution Service decides whether to file charges and presents cases in court. Police conduct most other investigations and must gather additional evidence when prosecutors request it.

The reform, spearheadedby President Lee Jae Myung’s ruling Democratic Party (DP),

South Korea’s prosecution reform reshapes how crimes reach the courtroom

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Joon Ha Park