The Supreme Prosecutors’ Office in Seoul. Photo by Asia Today
July 21 (Asia Today) -- The number of unresolved cases pending at South Korean prosecutors' offices surpassed 140,000 in the first half of the year, intensifying concerns about delays before the prosecution service is abolished Oct. 2.
The backlog has increased each year since investigative authority was redistributed between prosecutors and police in 2021. The expansion of special counsel investigations and the departure of experienced prosecutors have recently added to staffing pressures.
The Supreme Prosecutors' Office said 140,513 cases remained unresolved at prosecutors' offices nationwide as of the end of June.
That was an increase of 44,257 cases, or 46%, from 96,256 at the end of 2025.
