In July 2015, the Supreme Court sent the case back to the lower court for retrial, saying that the email files submitted as key evidence are not valid since the prosecution failed to specify who wrote them. The top court's decision got Won released on bail.

The highly charged case took a fresh twist early this month as an internal NIS probe revealed new evidence that can possibly further incriminate Won.

The evidence, based on which the prosecution has reopened an investigation into the scandal, alleged that Won orchestrated the secret operation of some 30 "cyber teams," consisting of civilians, to post Internet comments in support of Park in the runup to the election.

The Seoul High Court, however, turned down the prosecution's request to postpone the sentencing for Won, saying that there is little reason to reopen the proceedings considering the extent to which the trial has progressed. (Yonhap)