The Changing Landscape of the Legal Industry
As the abolition of the Prosecutors’ Office approaches in about six months, the legal industry is undergoing a significant transformation. The value of former prosecutors, once highly sought after by major law firms, has decreased, while the market demand for police-background lawyers, whose investigative authority has expanded, is on the rise. Large and mid-sized law firms are now aggressively hiring police veterans, while former prosecutors find themselves competing for interviews at law firms.
A 15-to-1 Competition for Prosecutor-Background Lawyer Positions
A major law firm recently selected one prosecutor-background lawyer from a pool of 15 applicants. The successful candidate was a former head of a criminal division who resigned last month. Another former police station criminal division chief, known for investigating allegations such as comedian Park Na-rae’s unlicensed medical procedures and manager power abuse, also abruptly resigned earlier this year and joined the firm, sparking rumors.
Previously, prosecutors from elite units like the Special Investigation Division, Financial Transactions Investigation Division, and Criminal Division were recruited by law firms even before retirement. However, changes in the investigative structure—such as the adjustment of investigative powers between prosecutors and police and the abolition of the Prosecutors’ Office—have altered the landscape. Law firms are reducing the size of criminal teams traditionally led by prosecutors.
A mid-sized law firm attorney noted, “Since prosecutors no longer conduct direct investigations, clients rarely seek prosecutor-background lawyers.”
Conversely, retiring prosecutors are fiercely competing for law firm positions. According to the Ministry of Justice, 175 prosecutors retired last year—more than double the 79 retirees in 2021, when police investigative authority was expanded. Of last year’s retirees, 136 (approximately 78%) had over 11 years of experience.
A recently retired prosecutor chief remarked, “The era of law firms actively recruiting former prosecutors is over. Many retiring prosecutors now consider starting joint practices.”
The corporate appeal of former prosecutors has also waned. A corporate executive with a prosecutorial background stated, “As prosecutors’ investigative authority diminishes, there are even discussions within companies to reduce budgets for executives handling prosecutorial affairs.” A former prosecutor chief and law firm representative added, “It’s now difficult to sustain a solo practice solely based on a prosecutorial career. Law firms are merging or forming networks to survive.”
This uncertainty has made prosecutors hesitant to resign. A current senior prosecutor shared, “Many delay resignation due to disillusionment with the prosecutorial system but lack viable alternatives.”
Police-Background Lawyers in High Demand
Unlike prosecutor-background lawyers, police-background lawyers are in high demand. After the Prosecutors’ Office is abolished in October, police will lead investigations into major crimes. Agencies like the National Police Agency’s National Office of Investigation, Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit, Public Crime Investigation Unit, and Financial Crime Investigation Unit will handle key cases. While prosecutors will reemerge as an indictment agency focusing on prosecution and trials, the newly established Serious Crimes Investigation Agency is likely to be staffed predominantly by police personnel.
Major law firms have actively recruited police veterans over the past 2–3 years. Some firms have formed dedicated police-background lawyer teams. A major law firm’s criminal division, with around 50 lawyers, includes 23 police veterans. A firm representative stated, “We’ve been recruiting 3–4 police-background lawyers annually since the adjustment of investigative powers.” A network law firm established a “Police Criminal Division” under its Criminal Affairs Group last year. The number of police-background lawyers at this firm grew from 2 in 2019 to 19 last year.
A law firm opened in Seocho-dong, Seoul, two years ago, reports that 25% of its 40 lawyers are police veterans. A legal insider noted, “For mid-sized firms handling civil cases, securing police-background lawyers is critical to survival.”
The demand for police-background lawyers is expected to grow. A prosecutor-background lawyer observed, “Around 10–20 annual judicial exam passers were specially recruited by police, and they are now entering the legal market.” From 2020 to 2025, 99 police retirees with legal qualifications entered the market. Additionally, many former police executives without legal licenses join firms as advisors or consultants.
However, some analysts predict increased demand for lawyers from the indictment agency, which will decide prosecutions and oversee trials. A former High Prosecutors’ Office chief lawyer stated, “Even if police conduct investigations, persuading indictment agency prosecutors before deciding charges will require former prosecutors’ expertise.”
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