A pre-trial hearing begins today to get to the bottom of allegations of state-sponsored spying by the intelligence service.
Woo Byung-woo, one of former President Park Geun-hye's closest aides, is accused of ordering the National Intelligence Service to secretly keep tabs on government officials and civilians, including the then-special presidential inspector who was watching Woo over suspicions of corruption.
It is highly likely that Woo will not appear at Seoul Central District Court today, as the accused is not obligated to attend the session.
This fresh trial comes just a day after prosecutors had demanded that Woo receive an eight year prison term over allegations of dereliction of duty related to the corruption scandal that led to former-President Park being removed from office.
Woo has denied all charges brought against him.