‘선거관리’ 행안부장관, 중수청의 정치인 수사 지휘 가능…정치적 외풍 차단이 관건

The new 50-day countdown for the establishment of the Major Crime Investigation Agency (Mid-Office) is upon us, signaling a significant shift in the country's investigative landscape. Since the founding of the Criminal Investigation Agency in 1948, this marks the 78th year of the agency's organizational transformation. Experts believe that the success of the Mid-Office hinges on eliminating political interference, enhancing investigative capabilities, and resolving inter-agency competition issues.

According to a report by the newspaper Haneul, the Mid-Office currently comprises 2,567 investigators, surpassing the total capacity of a regular investigation unit (2,292 policemen). This makes the Mid-Office the largest investigative unit in the country. The Mid-Office, which consists primarily of 2567 investigators, is responsible for handling major crimes such as corruption, economic crimes, and first-degree cases, as well as providing supplementary investigations for other investigative agencies.

It is expected to function as a "law enforcement agency above law enforcement agencies." The public has mixed feelings about the Mid-Office, viewing it as both a promising and concerning development. The agency's current state is equally disappointing, with insufficient manpower and infrastructure to warrant immediate deployment.

Despite having immense power, the Mid-Office lacks the necessary mechanisms to prevent political interference, establish a system to mediate inter-agency competition, and reduce investigative delays. The need to address these institutional weaknesses is critical, as the Mid-Office's fate is heavily dependent on the success of the new criminal procedure system.