What did Hong Seok-ki say about fears that prosecution reform will expand police power?

Hong Seok-ki said the police would not gain excessive authority because the new Serious Crimes Investigation Agency will take over investigations in seven major crime categories. He said that means the scope of investigations handled solely by police will actually become smaller.

When will the prosecution reform take effect and what will change in investigations?

The reform is set to take effect Friday. It will strip the prosecution of investigative powers and leave police to handle more of the follow-up work, including supplementary investigations that prosecutors will no longer be able to conduct themselves.

What kind of crimes will the new Serious Crimes Investigation Agency handle?

The agency will investigate seven categories of major crimes. The article specifically says those include corruption and crimes against state security.

Top investigator downplays concerns of expanded police role from prosecution reform

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Summary

Hong Seok-ki, head of the National Office of Investigation, downplayed concerns in Seoul on Monday that prosecution reform would give police excessive power. He said a new Serious Crimes Investigation Agency will narrow the scope of investigations handled only by police. The reform will take effect Friday and remove the prosecution’s investigative powers, while police will take on more supplementary-investigation requests.

Key Facts

The revised Criminal Procedure Act will strip the prosecution of its investigative powers and take effect on Friday.
The new Serious Crimes Investigation Agency will handle investigations in seven categories of major crimes, including corruption and crimes against state security.
Hong Seok-ki said the police will have to fill many areas where the prosecution can no longer conduct supplementary investigations.
Hong said he would cooperate with requests for supplementary investigations.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 28, 2026 3:08 pm KST

Hong Seok-ki, right, head of the National Office of Investigation, attends a meeting of senior police officials at the National Police Agency in western Seoul, Sept 3. Yonhap

A senior police officer on Monday downplayed concerns that the police would be given excessive authority due to the planned prosecution reform, citing the establishment of a new investigative body.

Hong Seok-ki, head of the National Office of Investigation, addressed the concerns stemming from the recent revision to the Criminal Procedure Act, which will strip the prosecution of its investigative powers.

"With the creation of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, the scope of investigations solely conducted by the police will in fact become smaller," Hong told reporters in a regular briefing.

Under the planned reform set to take effect Friday, the new agency will handle investigations in seven categories of major crimes, including corruption and those against state security.

The broader reform, however, has still raised concerns over reduced oversight of police investigations as the prosecution will lose its power to carry out supplementary investigations.

Hong acknowledged the increased police responsibility, pledging to cooperate with requests for supplementary investigations.

"Police will have to fill in many of the areas where the prosecution will no longer be able to conduct supplementary investigations," he said.

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