고위공직자범죄수사처 (Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials)

Summary

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO, 고위공직자범죄수사처) was established by Act No. 17646 of December 15, 2020, taking effect January 21, 2021. The Director is appointed by the President from two candidates recommended by a seven-member nomination committee (including the Minister of Justice, Minister of National Court Administration, President of the Korean Bar Association, and party representatives), after a National Assembly confirmation hearing; the Director and Deputy are removable only by impeachment or criminal sentence to imprisonment — effectively tenure-protected. The CIO holds full investigative authority including arrest warrants, search and seizure, subpoena, and compelled testimony under the Criminal Procedure Act as incorporated by reference. Its jurisdiction over law enforcement covers police officials at Superintendent General (치안총감) rank and above. The CIO operates as an independent line item in the national budget; its annual report is submitted to the National Assembly. For covered police crimes it operates independently of internal affairs, making its discipline role binding when it successfully prosecutes.