First chief of Daegu serious crime investigation bureau takes office, flags staffing shortage
Version 2: A further report from Newsis added a quote from Hong that investigations without human rights protection cannot be recognized; no other new facts about the bureau or its staffing emerged.
In short
Hong Jong-hee began work on Oct. 6 as the first chief of the Daegu Regional Serious Crime Investigation Bureau, saying the agency would build professional investigative capability and put human rights protection first. The bureau launched with 146 of 223 positions filled, a 65.5 percent staffing rate, and both outlets reported concerns over whether it can handle serious crime cases in Daegu and North Gyeongsang province without delays.
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Hong Jong-hee began work on Oct. 6 as the first chief of the Daegu Regional Serious Crime Investigation Bureau, arriving at the office at about 08:50 and answering reporters' questions at the entrance, Yonhap reported. He said he would establish the bureau as a top professional investigative agency with investigative expertise and make human rights protection its highest value, according to Yonhap and Seoul Economic Daily. The doorstepping lasted about two minutes and 50 seconds, and investigators lined up in the building's lobby to greet him with applause, Yonhap reported. [ 1 , 2 ]
Hong said the separation of investigation and prosecution — the reason the serious crime investigation agency was created — “is not something with a different meaning,” and again stressed professional investigative ability and human rights protection, both outlets reported. He said he feels heavy responsibility over the appointment and acknowledged hearing often that material and personnel infrastructure is lacking, adding that he would work to make the agency trusted by the public. “Criticism is fine, but right now we need a lot of support,” Hong said, asking for encouragement so staff could work harder. Asked what he must tackle first as inaugural chief, he said he would focus on laying the organizational foundations of a newly started body. [ 1 , 2 ]
The bureau launched with 146 of 223 positions filled, leaving 77 vacant, a staffing rate of 65.5 percent, both outlets reported. Concerns have been raised over whether it can normally carry out serious crime investigations in Daegu and North Gyeongsang province and whether staff shortages will delay investigations or leave gaps. Yonhap also reported that when and how many of the needed personnel will be added is cited as a task for normalizing the organization. [ 1 , 2 ]
Hong did not give a specific answer when asked about the bureau's first direct investigation case, Yonhap reported. When reporters asked for further questions and answers, he said he would give a simple greeting that day and arrange a later occasion for a deeper discussion before heading to his office. Asked about a report that a caller waited about an hour to file a case on the bureau's first day, a bureau official said the filing went smoothly and that processing was only slightly delayed by a problem with the KICS criminal justice information system, with the person's understanding sought. [ 1 ]
Newsis headlined a follow-up report with Hong saying that investigations without human rights protection cannot be recognized; the outlet's readable article text was not available for this report. Hong previously served as an auditor of the Korean Bar Association's legal aid foundation and as deputy chief prosecutor of the Daegu and Seoul High Prosecutors' Offices, both Yonhap and Seoul Economic Daily reported. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The Daegu bureau is part of South Korea's separation of investigation and prosecution, which Hong described as a major change in the criminal justice system. How quickly the agency fills its remaining 77 posts and takes on cases will shape whether that new system works as intended in the Daegu and North Gyeongsang region.
Key facts
- Hong Jong-hee began work as the first chief of the Daegu Regional Serious Crime Investigation Bureau on Oct. 6, arriving at about 08:50 and taking questions from reporters at the entrance. [ 1 ]
- Hong said the bureau would establish itself as a professional investigative agency with investigative expertise and would make human rights protection its top value. [ 1 , 2 ]
- He said the separation of investigation and prosecution, the reason the serious crime investigation agency was launched, is not something with a different meaning. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The bureau launched with 146 of 223 positions filled, leaving 77 posts vacant, a staffing rate of 65.5 percent. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Concerns were raised over whether serious crime investigations in Daegu and North Gyeongsang province can proceed normally and whether staff shortages will cause delays or gaps. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Hong declined to answer questions about the bureau's first direct investigation case, and his doorstepping lasted about two minutes and 50 seconds. [ 1 ]
- On the bureau's first day, a caller reportedly waited about an hour to file a case; a bureau official said processing was delayed by an issue with the KICS criminal justice information system and that the person was asked for understanding. [ 1 ]
- Hong previously served as an auditor of the Korean Bar Association's legal aid foundation and as deputy chief prosecutor of the Daegu and Seoul High Prosecutors' Offices. [ 1 , 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Hong Jong-hee is the first chief of the Daegu Regional Serious Crime Investigation Bureau and began his duties on Oct. 6. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Hong said the agency would prioritize professional investigative capability and human rights protection. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The bureau launched with 77 of 223 positions unfilled, a staffing rate of 65.5 percent, and concerns were raised about investigation capacity in Daegu and North Gyeongsang province. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Hong previously served as deputy chief prosecutor of the Daegu and Seoul High Prosecutors' Offices. [ 1 , 2 ]
Still unclear
- Which case will be the bureau's first direct investigation and when it will begin. Hong declined to answer questions on the bureau's first direct investigation case, according to Yonhap.
- When and how many of the 77 vacant positions will be filled. Yonhap reported the staffing timeline is cited as a task for normalizing the organization, but no target was given.
- Whether the staff shortage will actually delay investigations or create gaps. Both outlets describe this as a concern raised about the new agency rather than a confirmed outcome.
- Newsis headlined its report with Hong saying investigations without human rights protection cannot be recognized. The claim appears only in a Newsis headline; the outlet's readable article text was not available for this report, so the quote could not be checked against the body of the article.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Hong Jong-hee arrives for his first day at the Daegu Regional Serious Crime Investigation Bureau and holds a doorstepping session with reporters lasting about two minutes and 50 seconds. [ 1 ]
- Yonhap publishes its report on the first day. [ 1 ]
- Seoul Economic Daily publishes its report. [ 2 ]
- Newsis publishes a follow-up report headlined with Hong's remark on human rights protection. [ 3 ]