Two former senior officials of the National Intelligence Service were arrested Saturday for their alleged roles in the spy agency’s interference in domestic politics during the past two conservative administrations.

The Seoul Central District Court issued arrest warrants for the two -- Shin Seung-kyun, a former chief of the NIS’ office for national interest strategy, and Yoo Sung-ok, who served as chief of the agency’s psychological warfare team -- saying they may attempt to flee or destroy evidence.

Shin is suspected of involvement in operations to oust celebrities critical of the then conservative administrations. He was also accused of ordering NIS officials to draw up election strategies for the then ruling camp ahead of the 2011 by-election for Seoul mayor.

Yoo allegedly helped organize pro-government rallies by conservative groups and paying them a total of about 1 billion won S$883,325) in official funds.

Prosecutors have been expanding their investigation into allegations that the NIS conducted a series of secret political operations during the two successive conservative administrations of former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye. (Yonhap)