The Ministry of Justice on Sunday announced its plans for establishing the new investigation body for illegal activities of high level government officials.

The plans call for the organization to be established as a body independent of the judiciary, legislature and the administration. 

Establishing the organization, the idea of which has floated for two decades, needs to be approved by the National Assembly.

Under the Justice Ministry’s plans, the organization will also be given powers similar to that of the public prosecutors’ office, including the power to investigate and of indictment.

The Ministry of Justice, however, said that a committee comprised of outside personnel will be established to review decisions concerning indictments in order to prevent the new organization abusing its powers.

Under the plans, the organization will include less than 25 public prosecutors, 30 investigators and less than 20 administrative positions.

The chief and deputy chief of the organization will have single, three-year terms. Prosecutors working in the organization will have terms of three years, which can be renewed three times.

The organization will be responsible for investigating criminal allegations against incumbent high level government officials and their families, including the president. The organization will also be tasked with investigating former officials and their families for corruption for up to two years after they step down from their posts.

Other government posts that come under the jurisdiction of the organization include members of the National Assembly, prime minister, chief and justices of the Supreme Court, prosecutor general, and top military and police officers.

By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)