The Ministry of the Interior and Safety's preparation team for the opening of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency (MSIU) announced that "a large number of junior prosecutors also attended the MSIU appointment information sessions, and the special appointment procedures for prosecution service personnel are proceeding smoothly."

According to the MSIU opening preparation team, starting on the 5th of this month—the day of the legislative notice for the enactment proposal of the "Decree on the Serious Crime Investigation Agency and its Affiliated Organizations"—the team has been holding appointment information sessions targeting 6 high-level prosecutors' offices and 18 district prosecutors' offices nationwide, and has also been accepting applications for MSIU appointments starting on the 7th of the same month.

The information sessions held at 5 high-level prosecutors' offices and 13 district prosecutors' offices from the 5th to the 10th of this month drew significant interest, with over 2,140 attendees, including around 210 prosecutors—including about 140 junior prosecutors—along with investigators and other staff.

During the sessions, various inquiries were made regarding personnel matters and treatment, such as promotions, allowances, transfer criteria, and official residence support, as well as the transfer of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office's forensic science department, plans to build cooperative systems with the prosecution service for joint investigations, and matters related to serious crime investigations.

Through consultations with related organizations, the preparation team established a new "serious crime investigation allowance" ranging from 100,000 to 200,000 won per month, taking into account the occupational characteristics of investigators dedicated to important and highly complex serious crimes.

They also prepared a plan to additionally provide an 80,000 won monthly hazardous duty allowance to investigators in charge of drug investigations.

The serious crime investigation allowance is set at 100,000 won per month for Grade 8 and below, 150,000 won for Grades 5 to 7, and 200,000 won for Grade 4 and above.

In addition, the preparation team plans to provide official residence support for employees working away from their families, operate commuter buses for long-distance commuters, and offer overseas training opportunities at the level currently provided by the Ministry of Justice (Prosecutors' Office).

The team announced that it will prioritize special appointments for prosecution service personnel and plans to pursue career-competitive recruitment of external personnel, such as police officers, by comprehensively considering job expertise and the status of transferred investigation personnel from the prosecution service.

The preparation team plans to accept applications for MSIU appointments from prosecutors and staff of the prosecutors' office until the 20th of this month, go through selection procedures in September, and make appointments in time for the MSIU's opening date on October 2.

(Photo: Yonhap News)