Lim, 59, is suspected of being the key man who helped former Supreme Court Chief Justice Yang Sung-tae use trials as bargaining chips in dealings with the presidential office under the administration of then-President Park Geun-hye. He worked for the NCA from 2012-2017.

Prosecutors filed the writ request Tuesday on a string of charges including abuse of power, dereliction of duty, leaking confidential information and obstruction of justice by use of authority.

The court held the arraignment hearing on Friday.

Prosecutors believe Yang sought to curry favor with Park's office by having the NCA devise plans to influence politically sensitive trials to Park's advantage, so as to win her approval for establishing a separate court of appeals.

Among the trials in question are the long-pending compensation case of Korean victims of Japanese wartime forced labor and a case that involves a progressive teachers union.

Lim underwent prosecution questioning on Oct. 15. He has denied any wrongdoing. (Yonhap)