South Korea court sentences ex-President Yoon to 30-year jail term in drone case

A South Korean court has sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to 30 years in prison on charges connected to military drones and a failed martial law declaration. The Seoul Central District Court convicted Yoon of abuse of power and aiding the enemy, finding he conspired in a drone operation in October 2024. This operation, according to the court, was part of a plan to create a pretext for martial law.

Yoon has denied all wrongdoing, with his legal team stating he neither ordered nor approved the drone operation. They argue the operation was a response to North Korea's balloon launches carrying rubbish, not related to martial law. Prosecutors had initially sought a 30-year term in April, highlighting the severity of the charges.

This latest judgment adds to Yoon's legal troubles. In February, he was sentenced to life imprisonment for leading an insurrection linked to the same martial law attempt. Yoon was removed from office last year after his impeachment was upheld by the Constitutional Court, leading to a snap election won by the current liberal President Lee Jae Myung. Yoon, who is already in custody, retains the right to appeal this recent lower court ruling.