South Korea's former main intelligence agency leader has been indicted for reportedly sticking his nose in his country's 2012 presidential election.
Won Sei-hoon, who was head of the South Korea National Intelligence Service (NIS) until March of this year, has been accused of submitting orders for an online attack on opposition candidates.
According to The Guardian, Won told his agents to engage in a campaign smearing liberal candidates by posting comments against leftist's ability to run the country.
Prosecutors said that officials were ordered to write that the main contender of the opposition, Moon Jae-in, wasn't hardened enough to lead the country to defense against North Korea's constant threats.
They called Moon, "too soft," in their comments online.
Agents also reportedly left comments praising conservative presidential candidate Park Geun-hye, giving the hopeful an unfair advantage from inside the government-a highly illegal transgression.
Senior prosecutor in Seoul Lee Jin-han spoke at a news conference on Thursday, saying that after a "principled and fair" investigation was conducted, all parties suspected of tampering with the elections will be offered no sanctuary.
Former head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Kim Yong-pan is also being put on trial, for reportedly abusing his influence by putting pressure on law enforcement officials to turn a blind eye to the charges against the intelligence agency.
Won faces up to a five-year prison sentencing if he is found guilty.
Other members of the NIS, including those in the anti-North Korea psychological warfare team, face possible charges as well. Prosecutors said that they could avoid having to appear in court, as it looks like they were merely following Won's orders when they wrote slander against leftist candidates.
Won resigned as head of the National Intelligence Service three months ago, after he worked for conservative president Lee Myung-bak for four years.
