First appointments before the new major-crimes agency launches: Choi Jae-min in Seoul, Jeon Jong-min as deputy
The first leadership appointments were announced one day before the new Major Crimes Investigation Agency begins work. According to reports, lawyer Choi Jae-min was named head of the Seoul office, former judge Jeon Jong-min was named deputy chief, and Im Eun-jung, currently chief of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office, was selected for the Gwangju office. The reform will ultimately be judged less by slogans than by whether cases continue to move and whether separated powers operate stably.
Key summary
- Ahead of the launch of the new investigation and prosecution structure, key posts including the Seoul office head and deputy chief were announced.
- SBS News reported that the agency starts work with 1,900 staff members out of a full quota of 2,874.
- The first things to watch are not only names but also case transfers, possible investigation gaps, and whether prosecution support continues smoothly.
Confirmed facts
- Yonhap News Agency reported that Choi Jae-min was appointed head of the Seoul office and Jeon Jong-min deputy chief of the new agency launching on October 2.
- SBS News reported that Im Eun-jung was selected to head the Gwangju office and that the agency begins with only part of its staffing quota filled.
- Because the change separates investigation and prosecution functions, the core issue will be how case-handling procedures work after launch.
The issue is more about how than who
Leadership names naturally draw attention at launch, but the more direct issue for citizens is whether complaints, existing prosecution cases, and ongoing trial-related matters continue without interruption. In major economic-crime or public-official cases, where investigation records and prosecution maintenance are complex, the transfer process can create delays or disputes over responsibility.
| Area | What has been announced | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| First appointments | Leaders including Choi Jae-min and Jeon Jong-min were announced | Whether expertise, independence, and management ability appear in actual operations |
| Agency launch | The investigation and prosecution bodies start under a new structure | Whether cooperation rules between investigation and prosecution are clear |
| Staffing | SBS reported a starting size of 1,900 staff members | Whether early staffing gaps slow down cases |
| Case transfers | Old and new cases will be handled by different bodies | Whether victims and suspects receive clear guidance |
What to watch next
- Check which agency receives, assigns, and explains case transfers immediately after launch.
- Watch whether procedures for record sharing, requests for supplementary investigation, and trial response are explained publicly.
- Apart from political evaluations, actual processing time, appeal routes, and civil-service contact points will be the standard for judging stabilization.
Search keywords
- Choi Jae-min Seoul investigation agency
- Jeon Jong-min deputy chief
- Im Eun-jung Gwangju office
- Major Crimes Investigation Agency launch