South Korea Ministry of Labor to boost inspector investigative skills

South Korea’s Ministry of Employment and Labor has announced a comprehensive plan to strengthen the investigative capabilities of labor inspectors. This move comes in preparation for the October implementation of the revised Criminal Procedure Act, which will abolish the prosecution's investigative command authority over special judicial police.

To ensure inspectors can independently manage cases involving wage arrears, industrial accidents, and unfair labor practices, the Ministry is introducing several key initiatives. A new ‘Investigative School’ will provide eight weeks of intensive, practice-based training for new inspectors, utilizing 34 mock cases developed from an analysis of 3.16 million reported incidents.

For existing inspectors, the Ministry is shifting from theory-based training to specialized practical education, including digital forensics and case study simulations. The Ministry is also establishing a three-tier internal investigative command system involving team leaders, section chiefs, and heads of institutions to manage case reviews and coordination. Additionally, the Ministry plans to establish a dedicated Labor Inspectorate Investigation Training Institute by the second half of next year.