4 Apply for 2 Positions of Chief Prosecutor at Public Corruption Investigation Office, 13 Apply for 1 Prosecutor Position... Including Former Prosecutors

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin, Legal Affairs Specialist] A total of 17 candidates, including former prosecutors, applied for the open recruitment of prosecutors at the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (HOCI).

Compared to last April's first recruitment, which attracted over 200 applicants for 23 positions, and the second recruitment in July, which had 71 applicants for 10 positions, the number of applicants has relatively decreased.

On the 5th, HOCI announced that as of the deadline the previous day, 4 candidates applied for the position of chief prosecutor, which has 2 openings, and 13 candidates applied for the rank-and-file prosecutor position, which has 1 opening.

HOCI stated that among the applicants, there are also former prosecutors.

However, a HOCI official said, "There are former prosecutors among the applicants, but we cannot disclose how many or whether they have experience in special investigations or public security investigations," adding, "This was the case last year as well, because revealing such details could identify who applied."

The official added, "Since there are still several procedures remaining, including document screening, interviews, personnel committee recommendations, and presidential appointments, we ask for your understanding that we can only disclose the numbers."

Once the document screening is completed, interviews will be held next month. Candidates will be recommended by the personnel committee and finally appointed by the president.

Meanwhile, HOCI plans to conduct intensive training to strengthen investigative capabilities for existing prosecutors and investigators this month.

Every Wednesday afternoon in July, they will watch practical investigation video lectures produced by the Judicial Research and Training Institute, followed by presentations and discussions. Lecture topics include digital evidence seizure and search, and communication investigation techniques.

Additionally, on the 14th of this month, prosecutors and investigators will visit the National Forensic Service to receive training on trends in digital forensic technology and investigative techniques. About 30 people, including HOCI Chief Kim Jin-wook, are expected to visit the National Forensic Service.

Separately, from the 12th to the 15th, 5 to 6 personnel from HOCI will participate in an advanced digital forensic specialized course held at the National Forensic Service for all investigative agencies including the prosecution and police, HOCI said.

HOCI held a full prosecutor workshop in May and a departmental investigation workshop in June, and has been conducting occasional training this year on topics such as the latest Supreme Court case analyses.

Meanwhile, HOCI recently announced that it has been designated as a legal practice institution.

Lawyers who pass the bar exam must undergo six months of legal practical training at a designated legal practice institution. Under the current Attorney-at-Law Act, courts, the Constitutional Court, and the prosecution are designated as legal practice institutions by law.

Other institutions such as law firms must apply separately for designation. HOCI was designated as a legal practice institution on the 1st of this month through an application.

However, since the budget for trainee lawyers' salaries has not been allocated this year, HOCI plans to include the related personnel expenses in next year's budget and announce recruitment in the first half of next year to proceed with the trainee lawyer selection process.

The 2nd HOCI Advisory Committee meeting will be held on the 7th.

Out of 14 advisory committee members, including Chairman Ahn Chang-ho, 11 members are expected to attend to discuss the operation and development plans of HOCI.