As the implementation of judicial reform legislation aimed at abolishing the prosecution office approaches in October, there is a notable increase in the departure of prosecutors. Resignations, leaves of absence, and special prosecutor assignments have surged, with the number of experienced judges applying for judgeships reaching an all-time high.
According to the legal community on May 10, the number of former prosecutors applying for judgeships in the 2026 judgeship appointment process exceeded last year’s record of 48 applicants. Reports indicate that there are around 280 applicants from within the prosecution, with over 100 passing the initial document screening.
The Court Administration Office stated, "We cannot disclose the exact numbers, but they will be made public after the hiring process concludes in October this year."
The trend of increasing applications from former prosecutors has been evident in recent years. The number rose from 7 in 2018 to 12 in 2019, 22 in 2020, 26 in 2021, and 36 in 2022. Although it dipped to 28 in 2023 and 25 in 2024, it surged to 48 last year, and this year is expected to surpass that record.
Legal experts attribute this increase to growing organizational instability as the abolition of the prosecution office and the establishment of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency and the Prosecution Agency approach in about five months. Ongoing national investigations into prosecution practices and proposed special prosecutor laws have contributed to a decline in morale within the organization.
The exodus of prosecutors is manifesting in various ways. According to the Ministry of Justice, 69 prosecutors have resigned so far this year. Over the past year and four months, a total of 244 prosecutors have left the prosecution. Additionally, 57 prosecutors took leaves of absence in the first quarter of this year, already reaching half of last year's total of 132 leave-takers.
The number of prosecutors dispatched to special prosecutor teams has also increased. Since the beginning of the Lee Jae-myung administration, 67 prosecutors have been assigned to special prosecutor teams. If the proposed special prosecutor for fabricated charges by the Democratic Party is realized, an additional 30 prosecutors may be dispatched.
With the simultaneous rise in resignations, leaves, and dispatches, concerns about staffing shortages in frontline prosecution offices are growing. Reports indicate that some district prosecution offices have seen their staff reduced to half of their capacity. There are fears that if the trend of experienced judges applying for positions continues, it will inevitably disrupt prosecution operations.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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