The newly established Major Crimes Investigation Agency (MCIA) is signaling a shift in its hiring approach, emphasizing skills over experience for lawyer recruitment. Kim Ji-yong, the head of the MCIA, reportedly indicated that the agency could consider hiring less experienced lawyers during a private meeting with Cho Soon-yeol, President of the Seoul Bar Association.
After their meeting on the afternoon of October 27 at the MCIA headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul, Cho shared this information with reporters. The MCIA, which launched on October 2, currently has about 1,900 of its 2,874 authorized positions filled and is seeking to recruit additional external experts.
Cho stated, "There are many capable lawyers, so I requested that they hire more and provide ample opportunities." He also expressed hope that the agency would align with public expectations and urged for sufficient protection of advocacy rights.
In response, Kim conveyed that if a lawyer demonstrates capability, even a first-year lawyer could be hired. However, specific details regarding the number of hires, timing, and eligibility criteria were not discussed. Cho noted, "There were no specific comments on timing, methods, or criteria," adding that they agreed to cooperate and communicate as needed in the future.
The MCIA has undergone two rounds of special appointments and has secured approximately 66.1% of its authorized personnel, totaling 1,900. It plans to complete additional special appointments for public prosecutors by April 30 of next year and aims to recruit external experts, including lawyers, accountants, patent attorneys, and police officers.
The Seoul Bar Association and the Korean Bar Association have emphasized the need for improved treatment, such as reflecting lawyer work experience in salary scales and supporting long-term employment, to attract top talent.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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