Cabinet approves revised bill adjusting role of new investigation agency, to be submitted to parliament

▲ Prime Minister Kim Min-seok speaks at the start of a meeting of relevant Cabinet ministries at the government complex in Seoul on March 2, 2026, for a review of the widening conflict in the Middle East. (Yonhap)

investigation agency-bill

Cabinet approves revised bill adjusting role of new investigation agency, to be submitted to parliament

SEOUL, March 3 (Yonhap) -- The Cabinet on Tuesday approved a revised bill adjusting the role of a new government agency that would replace the prosecution, following criticism that it would be effectively no different from the current prosecution service.

The government has pushed for the prosecution service to separate its exclusive authority of both indictment and investigation, amid criticism that such power is too excessive as prosecutors could launch their own probe even though there is no complaint.

The so-called serious crimes investigation agency and the indictment agency are set to be established in October under a government reorganization bill approved by the National Assembly last September.

Under the revised bill, the investigation agency will be tasked with investigating six major types of crimes, excluding crimes involving public officials, elections and large-scale disasters, in response to concerns it could overlap with the powers of other agencies.

The original proposal allowed the agency to handle nine major categories of crimes, including corruption and insurrection.

The government plans to submit the revised bill to the National Assembly for deliberation.

Separately, the Cabinet also approved a bill that would impose up to five years in prison for spreading misinformation concerning victims of sexual slavery by Japan during World War II.

Under the bill, those who spread misinformation across various media and platforms, such as newspapers, broadcasts, exhibits and rallies, will face up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million won (US$34,100).

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