Investigators in the prosecution have filed a class action suit against Prosecutor General Kim Jin-tae, protesting his move to increase the number of investigators by absorbing other civil servants.

Investigators at prosecutors’ offices nationwide are not prosecutors but those employed by the state via criminal affairs-related civil servant examinations or are dispatched from the police.

Prosecutor General Kim Jin-tae has recently unveiled the law enforcement agency’s plan to widen the eligibility for investigators by revising the public civil servant law.

Under the plan, civil servants in charge of other specialized segments, such as architecture and mechanical engineering, are allowed to apply for the criminal investigator position, or convert their jobs, through other special exams.

According to the judicial sector on Tuesday, 2,057 investigators filed a suit against the prosecutor general with the Seoul Administrative Court, demanding the withdrawal of his plan.

“Criminal investigators are distinguished from other civil servants as the post has a specialty in investigating suspects,” they said in a statement.

They also filed a petition with the Constitutional Court, arguing that it was illogical for the prosecutor general to determine the territory of eligibility and examinations. They claimed that the exams should be handled by the Justice Minister as relevant laws stipulate.

The prosecution plans to increase its investigatory manpower, who support prosecutors, over the next several years.

By Kim Yon-se (kys@heraldcorp.com)