[Anchor]

The Major Crime Investigation Agency (MCIA), a symbol of prosecution reform separating investigation and indictment, held its opening ceremony today (the 2nd) and officially launched. Amid the chaotic atmosphere of a leadership vacuum, the second-in-command, the deputy head of the agency, emphasized that restrained investigations will be the top priority.

Reporter Shin Yong-il has the story.

[Reporter]

The opening ceremony took place this morning at the MCIA building in Jung-gu, Seoul.

As part of the prosecution reform under the Lee Jae-myung administration, the agency officially launched about six months after the MCIA Act passed in March.

All investigative functions previously held by the prosecution have been transferred to the MCIA.

Operating under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety rather than the Ministry of Justice, the agency will exclusively handle investigations into seven major crimes—including corruption, economic crimes, and defense acquisition—as well as supplementary investigations for crimes targeting vulnerable social groups.

[Yunho / Minister of the Interior and Safety: Even if investigation and indictment are separated, our responsibility to the public must not be divided.]

With no chief yet appointed, the deputy head of the MCIA took the podium to stress that restrained investigations will be the top priority, while also emphasizing a strict response to major crimes.

[Jeon Jong-min / Deputy Head of the Major Crime Investigation Agency: The MCIA will adopt restraint as its highest principle. We will be an investigative agency that is resolute in the face of major crimes, yet infinitely cautious when it comes to the freedom and rights of the citizens.]

On its very first day of launch, a complaint regarding the crime of judicial distortion against a frontline police officer was filed as the MCIA's first case, with about 10 complaints and accusations submitted even before the opening ceremony concluded.

However, as the launch was rushed without sufficient preparation time, public inconvenience and damage are inevitable until basic infrastructure, including network systems, basic furniture, and facilities, is fully established.

(Video by Kang Si-woo | Video Editing by Yu Mi-ra | Design by Seo Seung-hyun)