The Ministry of Labor is strengthening its 'investigative training for labor inspectors' ahead of the abolition of the prosecution's right to direct investigation in October.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor has proposed strengthening the investigative capabilities of labor inspectors ahead of the transfer of investigative authority from prosecutors, which takes effect in October. New inspectors will conduct investigations into model cases during their training, while existing inspectors will be required to complete criminal law education first and then undergo specialized investigative techniques training.

The government plans to establish a new labor investigation training institute, "Labor Investigation Academy." The education plan outlined by the Ministry emphasizes the need to enhance practical training and investigative expertise for labor inspectors. The Ministry recently introduced a 8-week "Investigation School" program for new inspectors, who will analyze over 3.16 million actual complaints and handle cases from submission to resolution under the guidance of their mentors.

Existing inspectors will also receive additional training in case-study analysis of real investigation records. All labor inspectors will be required to complete a criminal law online course as part of their mandatory training. The transfer of investigative authority from prosecutors to labor inspectors means that labor inspectors will be responsible for investigating wage theft, industrial accidents, and unlawful labor practices without the oversight of prosecutors.

This change comes with the requirement for a higher level of investigative skills and knowledge, prompting the government to prioritize the strengthening of labor inspectors' investigative abilities. The Ministry aims to expand the number of labor inspectors from 5,899 this year to 7,349 next year and 8,031 by 2028. Starting in December, labor inspectors will also have the authority to oversee small businesses with fewer than 30 employees.

The government acknowledges that the disparity in labor inspectors' skills and expertise is a significant challenge and plans to address this through standardized supervision systems and collaborative efforts between prosecutors and labor inspectors.