Jungsucheong (Central Investigation Agency)

A central investigative agency (Serious Crimes Investigation Agency) being promoted to exclusively investigate serious crimes after the reduction of the prosecution's direct investigative authority.

Jungsucheong (Central Investigation Agency)

Overview

Jungsucheong (중수청; 中搜廳) is an abbreviation of 'Central Investigation Agency' or 'Serious Crimes Investigation Agency,' and refers to a central administrative agency being promoted for establishment to exclusively investigate serious crimes such as corruption, economic crimes, and crimes by public officials after the reduction of the prosecution's direct investigative authority. As a key agenda in prosecution reform discussions, it is discussed as a measure to institutionally implement the so-called principle of 'separation of investigation and prosecution,' under which investigative authority and prosecutorial authority are separated. In 2025, as promotion discussions at the political and government levels have become full-scale again, debate for and against is intensifying.

Key Details

Background

Following the 2021 adjustment of investigative authority between the prosecution and police and the 2022 legislation known as 'Geomsu-wanbak' (검수완박, complete deprivation of the prosecution's investigative authority), the scope of the prosecution's initiation of direct investigations was limited to six major crimes: corruption, economic crimes, public official crimes, elections, defense projects, and large-scale disasters. Afterwards, who would fill the gap left by the reduced investigative function of the prosecution became an issue, and arguments arose that a separate agency was needed that could check the concentration of power in the National Office of Investigation of the police while also securing political neutrality. This was the starting point of the Jungsucheong discussion.

Organization and Authority

Jungsucheong is generally envisioned as an independent central administrative agency headed by a commissioner at the vice-ministerial level or higher. The main models are: ▲ expanding and reorganizing the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO); ▲ establishing an independent investigation agency separate from the police; ▲ separating the existing prosecution organization into an investigation organization and a prosecution organization. Its core authority is investigative authority over serious crimes and the authority to request warrants, and whether to grant prosecutorial authority is the biggest issue. Arguments that it will lack effectiveness if not given prosecutorial authority are pitted against counterarguments that granting prosecutorial authority as well would create yet another massive power institution.

Relationship with the Prosecution and Police

If Jungsucheong is established, investigations would be handled by Jungsucheong and the police, while prosecution would be handled by the prosecution, creating a dual structure. In this case, conflicts between agencies are expected over case transfers, requests for supplementary investigations, and investigative command authority. Within the police, concerns are raised that the status of the National Office of Investigation could be relatively weakened; within the prosecution, concerns are raised that investigative expertise could weaken and prosecutorial convenience could deepen.

Debate For and Against

Proponents expect dispersion of prosecutorial power, securing political neutrality, and establishment of human rights-friendly investigative practices. Opponents point to public inconvenience and waste of national budget due to a proliferation of investigative agencies, the risk that Jungsucheong itself could be captured by new political power, and the structural limits of an investigation agency without prosecutorial authority. The opposition party and some within the prosecution show a strong opposing stance that it is in effect 'dismantlement of the prosecution.'

Recent Trends

Since 2024, bills to establish Jungsucheong have been repeatedly proposed and discussed in the National Assembly and the government, and with the launch of a new government in 2025, as prosecution reform re-emerged as a key state task, the momentum for promotion grew. The government and ruling party are considering a special law or amendment to the Government Organization Act to establish the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, and practical issues include readjusting roles with the CIO, setting boundaries with police investigative authority, and the scope of granting prosecutorial authority. On the other hand, the opposition party is blocking legislation while focusing on constitutional concerns and deficiencies in organizational design, so National Assembly discussions are likely to enter a prolonged deadlock. Experts believe the success of Jungsucheong depends on the independence of the personnel recommendation structure, the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms, and the design of judicial control over investigation results.