It has been confirmed that Han Chan-sik, Senior Presidential Secretary for Civil Affairs, visited the preparatory office for the Major Crime Investigation Agency to inspect the status of preparations.
This marks Han's first visit to the preparatory office since his appointment as Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs last month.
According to SBS reporting, Han visited the preparatory office, located in the annex of the Government Complex Seoul in Changseong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, today (July 1) and held a meeting with Deputy Chief Lee Jin-yong and others.
The preparatory office for the Major Crime Investigation Agency, under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, was launched in April. Vice Minister of the Interior and Safety Kim Min-jae serves as the chief, and Lee Jin-yong, the second deputy chief prosecutor of the Incheon District Prosecutors' Office, serves as the deputy chief.
It is reported that while inspecting the preparations for the Major Crime Investigation Agency, which is set to launch on October 2 alongside the abolition of the Prosecutors' Office, Senior Secretary Han discussed issues such as the establishment of the Criminal Justice Information System (KICS), the selection of sites for regional offices, and personnel recruitment.
Currently, there are only about 90 days left until the launch of the Major Crime Investigation Agency, yet the internal regulations that serve as the basis for its operation have not been properly established.
This is because discussions on the amendment of the Criminal Procedure Act in the National Assembly have been stalled.
Securing sites for offices outside of Seoul and leasing buildings have also not been fully finalized.
The issue of personnel recruitment is also emerging, as there is a lack of demand from prosecutors to join the Major Crime Investigation Agency.
Previously, in May, former Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Bong Wook visited the preparatory office to encourage the staff and had lunch with Deputy Chief Lee and others.