A National Intelligence Service employee accused of making malicious comments online about Democratic United Party presidential candidate Moon Jae-in will press charges against party officials for illegal confinement, the agency said Thursday.

“The DUP used physical force to unlawfully trespass into the private residence of an individual, foul language and blocked family members from entering the residence and thereby engaged in illegal confinement,” the NIS said in a press release on Wednesday.

“Regarding the illegal activities of DUP officials, (the service) will take strong legal action including pressing charges and making claims for reparation of damages.”

On Tuesday evening, the police and officials from the DUP and the National Election Commission descended on the employee’s small studio apartment in Yeoksam, southern Seoul. After confirming her name but denying she worked for the NIS, the employee, 28, proceeded to lock herself in her apartment. Policemen and DUP officials staked out the hallway. The standoff lasted for over six hours.

(songhoon@heraldcorp.com)