The Prosecution Service is to be dismantled on October 2 under the amended criminal procedure law, replaced by a Public Prosecution Agency and a Serious Crimes Investigation Agency. Neither has a chief, and the justice minister's post is also vacant.
The reorganization splitting the prosecution service into indictment and investigation functions takes effect on October 2. With the launch imminent, however, the heads of both the Public Prosecution Agency and the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency remain unnamed.
광고 문의 · 300×250The justice minister's post is also empty after the nominee withdrew. With no one in place to finalize the organizational chart and appointments, observers question how much practical groundwork can be completed before the start date.
Construction of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency's building is unfinished and recruitment has been slow. In its first special hiring round, more than 600 applicants are reported to have withdrawn, leaving investigator posts unfilled.
With no chief designated for the Public Prosecution Agency, there are concerns its work could be temporarily constrained in the early weeks. Working rules on case-transfer criteria and on who handles existing cases also need to be settled.
Legal professionals broadly note that, whatever one thinks of the policy direction, the preparation timetable is tight. Because reorganization bears directly on the remedies available to parties in a case, a prolonged gap in the transition falls on citizens.
The government says the structure and appointments will be completed before the effective date. Given the parliamentary calendar and confirmation procedures, however, many doubt there is enough time.
