615 prosecutors and investigators withdraw from Major Crimes Investigation Agency recruitment

South Korea’s planned Major Crimes Investigation Agency will begin with fewer prosecution service applicants than initially expected. Of the 2,376 prosecutors and investigators who applied for special recruitment, 615 withdrew, leaving 1,761 final applicants.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s preparatory team announced the figure on Sept. 1. It had originally reported 2,375 applications submitted between Aug. 7 and Aug. 20, before one additional application brought the total to 2,376.

To avoid disruption when the agency opens in October, the government plans competitive recruitment for experienced police officers, lawyers, accountants and patent attorneys. It will also conduct another special recruitment process for employees of the prosecution service, now known as the Prosecution Office.

Special recruitment will remain available until April 30 next year. The agency’s approved staffing plan includes 2,567 investigators and 307 general civil servants, for a total of 2,874 positions.