{
  "id": 9065436,
  "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-9065436",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-22T02:47:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/law-crime/20260922/govt-to-cut-prosecutor-numbers-under-reform-plan"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The new Public Prosecution Service, set to commence operations on October 2 following a comprehensive prosecution reform, will commence with a staff comprising 80-85% of the existing statutory number of prosecutors. The Ministry of Justice disclosed on Tuesday that the Cabinet had approved legal modifications pertaining to the Public Prosecution Service's structure and the count of prosecutors, following a legislative notice period from September 4-9 wherein various public opinions were gathered.\n\nThe inauguration of the new agency is part of the government's initiative to remove prosecutors' independent investigative authority. The proposed amendments encompass additional reductions in investigative personnel as compared to the earlier drafted staffing plan, the elimination of three more deputy chief prosecutor-level positions and eight divisions, as well as the renaming of departments that had sparked controversy. The number of prosecutors at the newly established agency, the most contentious aspect, will be set at 80-85% of the 2,292 prosecutors currently authorized under the Prosecutor Quota Act. The Ministry plans to request further amendments.",
  "summary": "The Public Prosecution Service, set to launch Oct. 2 under a sweeping prosecution reform, will initially have 80-85 percent of the current statutory quota of prosecutors, with plans for further reductions through a legal revision, the justice ministry said Tuesday. The ministry said the Cabinet approved legal amendments on the organization of the Public Prosecution Service and the number of…",
  "key_points": [
    "New Public Prosecution Service starts Oct 2",
    "Staff will be 80-85% of current prosecutor number",
    "Cabinet approved structural changes and prosecutor count"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The government's reform plan curtails prosecutors' power and reduces their numbers, aligning with its initiative to remove their independent investigative authority and restructure the prosecution service.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "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",
        "published": "2026-09-22T02:08:07.000Z"
      },
      {
        "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."
}