Dismissals of arrest warrants for ex-NIS, KAI officials put brakes on probes

By Kim Bo-eun

The Seoul Central District Court on Friday dismissed an arrest warrant for a former official of the National Intelligence Agency (NIS) who allegedly played a key role in the spy agency’s meddling in the 2012 presidential election.

The court on the same day also rejected an arrest warrant for a Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) executive who faced charges of work obstruction due to alleged unfair recruitment, putting the brakes on investigations into both cases.

The arrest warrant for the former NIS official surnamed Roh, who faces charges of violating the public official election act and the National Intelligence Service act, was the first sought among leaders of NIS-affiliated cyber teams.

An association of retired NIS officials is suspected to have run up to 30 cyber teams with 48 leaders posting favorable online comments of then-presidential candidate Park Geun-hye, in a scheme to sway public opinion in her favor.

“The court recognizes Roh’s charges but it was determined there is little likelihood of the suspect fleeing or destroying evidence, based on the progression of investigations,” the court said.

Prosecutors protested the court’s dismissal.

Meanwhile, the court also dismissed a warrant for a KAI executive surnamed Lee, who is suspected to have accepted requests from high-level military officials, local government officials and journalists in recruitment.

“Considering there is a dispute over whether Lee can be viewed as holding responsibility for the hiring, that minimal evidence has been collected, and that the executive is not seen as likely to flee, it is difficult to acknowledge the need and justification for his arrest,” the court said.