Establishment of Major Crimes Investigation Agency Under the Prime Minister's Office
Kim Dongyeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province and a preliminary candidate for the Democratic Party of Korea's presidential nomination, announced on April 25 a plan for prosecutorial reform centered on reducing the prosecution service to a "Prosecution Office" (Gisocheong).
The reform plan unveiled by Governor Kim on this day includes: ▲ reducing the prosecution service to a Prosecution Office, thereby completely stripping it of investigative authority; ▲ establishing a Major Crimes Investigation Agency under the Prime Minister's Office, which would exclusively handle investigations into major crimes such as corruption, economic crimes, crimes by public officials, election crimes, large-scale disasters, and drug crimes; ▲ assigning the police to handle general crimes; and ▲ gradually integrating (and expanding) the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIH) into the Major Crimes Investigation Agency.
Governor Kim stated, "The abnormal treatment of first-year prosecutors as Grade 4 civil servants will be normalized to Grade 5, and the current constitutional provision granting prosecutors the right to request warrants will be deleted through constitutional amendment." He further explained, "To keep the potentially excessive power of investigative agencies in check, I plan to balance it with the prosecution's indictment authority."
He also emphasized, "The fact that the prosecution did not even appeal for the released ringleader of the rebellion, Yoon Sukyeol, yet indicted former President Moon Jaein for an absurd reason, is more than enough justification for prosecutorial reform." He added, "I will not only completely strip the prosecution of investigative authority but will also push for reform to the extent of dismantling the prosecution service itself."
Kim Dongyeon, a preliminary candidate running in the Democratic Party of Korea's 21st presidential election primary, is delivering opening remarks at an invited debate held at the OhmyTV studio in Yeouido, Seoul, on April 23, 2025. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers.
Previously, through his pledge to 'break the vested interests of power institutions,' Governor Kim promised to: ▲ ban judges and prosecutors of division chief level or higher from working at major law firms for five years after retirement; ▲ enact the 'Han Ducksoo Prevention Act,' which would prohibit revolving-door appointments from law firms to public office; and ▲ enact the 'Yoon Sukyeol Prevention Act,' which would restrict division chief level judges and prosecutors from running for elected office for three years after retirement.
He also unveiled his foreign and security policy. Promoting what he calls "Owl Leadership," Governor Kim stated, "A major transformation centered on national interests and pragmatism is necessary." "Owl Leadership" refers to the ability to respond strategically to rapidly changing international circumstances by combining wisdom and courage.
Specifically, his plan includes: ▲ a smart power strategy that combines manufacturing and defense (hard power) with K-culture and democracy (soft power); ▲ pursuing a partnership strategy with the Global South (developing countries); and ▲ easing tensions and building trust between North and South Korea, as well as restoring inter-Korean relations to the level achieved during the Moon Jaein administration.
Governor Kim emphasized, "In negotiations between the United States and North Korea, South Korea will actively participate as both a negotiator and mediator, thereby enhancing its international standing as a direct party to issues on the Korean Peninsula."
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