In particular, the dissolution of the after 49 years and the disappearance of the Public Prosecutors’ Office from history, with the establishment of the Public Prosecution Service and the Serious Crime Investigation Agency, are expected to have a tremendous impact on the investigative environment directly related to the lives of the people. We will examine the background and core content of these changes, and what impact they will have on our society.

The Dissolution of the Defense Security Command After 49 Years: What Does It Mean?

On June 10, 2026, the Ministry of National Defense announced a reorganization plan to dissolve the Defense Security Command (DSC) after 49 years and disperse its functions. The dissolution of the DSC, formerly known as the ‘Security Command’ and embroiled in various political controversies due to excessive concentration of power, aims to prevent the abuse of power by military intelligence agencies and strengthen democratic control.

• Functional Dispersion: Counterintelligence, security, and national security investigation functions will be transferred to the Defense Counterintelligence Headquarters, the Defense Security Support Group, and the Ministry of National Defense Investigation Headquarters, respectively.
• Abolition of Power-Oriented Missions: Power-oriented missions such as trend analysis, personnel intelligence, and public opinion gathering will be completely abolished.
• Personnel Reduction and Transparency Enhancement: Approximately one-third of the DSC’s existing personnel will be reduced, and the personnel management system will be integrated into a common system for all armed forces, increasing transparency.

This reorganization is evaluated as an important turning point for restoring public trust in military intelligence agencies and for the military to be reborn as a ‘people’s military’.

Abolition of the Public Prosecutors’ Office, the Era of the Public Prosecution Service and the Serious Crime Investigation Agency

From October 2, 2026, the Public Prosecutors’ Office will be abolished, and the Public Prosecution Service under the Ministry of Justice and the Serious Crime Investigation Agency (SCIA) under the Ministry of Interior and Safety will be newly launched. This is a fundamental change in the criminal justice system, separating the investigative and prosecutorial functions of the prosecution that have been maintained for 78 years.

• Role of the Public Prosecution Service: It will exclusively handle the initiation and maintenance of public prosecutions, and the prosecutor’s direct investigative powers will disappear. However, it is expected that the authority to command special judicial police officers and the authority over appeals and re-appeals will be maintained.
• Role of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency: It will exclusively investigate nine major serious crimes: corruption, economy, public officials, elections, defense projects, major disasters, drugs, and rebellion/foreign exchange.
• Issue of Supplementary Investigative Powers: Whether to grant supplementary investigative powers to prosecutors of the Public Prosecution Service remains a key issue under discussion.

These changes are expected to contribute to preventing the abuse of prosecutorial power and enhancing the efficiency and fairness of the criminal justice system by strengthening the professionalism of investigation and prosecution.

Strengthening Digital Investigations and Expanding the Role of the Police

Along with changes in the investigative system, the investigative capabilities of the police are being further strengthened. From 2026, the National Police Agency plans to deploy an additional 1,200 investigators to field investigation departments and expand career recruitment of specialized personnel such as lawyers and accountants to enhance investigative capabilities for crimes affecting people’s livelihoods. In particular, as the importance of digital evidence grows daily, the development and utilization of technology are emerging as the core of investigations.

• Importance of Digital Evidence: As 97% of investigators cite smartphones as the top source of digital evidence, digital devices play a decisive role in criminal investigations.
• Introduction of AI System: In the second half of 2026, an AI system capable of 24-hour response, from civil complaint counseling to legal guidance, is scheduled to be introduced. Furthermore, AI is also evaluated as being able to speed up investigations.
• Enhancing Investigative Capabilities: The police are continuously making internal efforts, such as establishing a team-based investigation system and strengthening the evaluation of investigative commanders’ capabilities.

In this way, the police are steadily preparing to effectively respond to complex crimes in the digital age by enhancing professionalism and efficiency in line with their expanded authority.

2026 will be a significant turning point for the Korean investigative system. Amidst the major trends of the dissolution of the Defense Security Command, the abolition of the Public Prosecutors’ Office, and the establishment of the Public Prosecution Service and the Serious Crime Investigation Agency, each investigative agency is establishing new roles. We hope that these changes will create a transparent and fair investigative environment and ultimately contribute to protecting the safety and rights of the public. Continuous attention to the changing criminal justice system is necessary.

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