{
  "id": 9063567,
  "title": "Gov't to cut prosecutor numbers under reform plan",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/govt-to-cut-prosecutor-numbers-under-reform-plan-9063567",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-22T02:08:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yonhap News",
    "slug": "yonhap-news",
    "url": "https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260922003100315"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "SEOUL, September 22 - The Public Prosecution Service is set to begin operations on October 2 following a major prosecution reform, according to the justice ministry. The agency will initially have 80-85% of the current quota of prosecutors, with additional reductions planned through legal revision. This change comes after the Cabinet approved legal amendments, taking into account the public opinions gathered during a legislative notice period from September 4-9.\n\nAs part of the reform, prosecutors will be stripped of their independent investigative powers. The new agency's staffing plan includes further cuts to investigative personnel, the abolition of three deputy chief prosecutor-level posts and eight departments, and the renaming of departments that had sparked controversy. The most contentious aspect of the new agency's structure will be the number of prosecutors, which will be set at 80-85% of the 2,292 currently authorized under the Prosecutor Quota Act.\n\nThe ministry plans to seek an amendment to the Prosecutor Quota Act to further decrease the number of prosecutors in the new agency. From October 2, police will take on the responsibility for all investigations, while prosecutors will only be allowed to file indictments, with their investigative powers significantly reduced.",
  "summary": "SEOUL, Sept. 22 (Yonhap) -- The Public Prosecution Service, set to launch Oct. 2...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Gov't to cut prosecutor numbers under reform plan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/govt-to-cut-prosecutor-numbers-under-reform-plan",
        "published": "2026-09-22T02:37:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}