Major Crime Investigation Agency sees unexpected surge in prosecutor applications

More than 100 prosecutors have applied for special appointment to the Major Crime Investigation Agency (MCIA), which is scheduled to launch in October. This turnout has been described as an unexpected success, given the previously negative sentiment within the prosecution service regarding the agency's establishment.

Out of a total of 2,375 applicants—representing 82.6% of the MCIA's total capacity of 2,874—over 100 are prosecutors, accounting for approximately 5% of the current prosecutor workforce. Notable applicants include Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office Chief Lim Eun-jeong and Chief Prosecutor Moon Ji-seok.

Many applicants are high-ranking or senior prosecutors, including those from the 36th and 37th classes of the Judicial Research and Training Institute, as well as specialists in antitrust, unfair competition, and technology leakage. While some junior prosecutors may face a reduction in official rank upon joining the MCIA, legal experts suggest that many senior investigators view the move as a strategic choice to maintain investigative expertise or to enhance their competitiveness in the legal market after their tenure.