South Korea ex-president gets 30 years for North Korea drone incident

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to 30 years in prison on June 12 for sending drones into North Korea. Prosecutors contended that Yoon's actions were aimed at fabricating wartime conditions to justify a martial law declaration, thereby compromising state security.

“

solely for the sake of the nation

This sentence follows a February conviction where Yoon received a life sentence for leading an insurrection to paralyze the National Assembly with his martial law declaration. The Seoul Central District Court spokesperson confirmed the 30-year sentence for the drone charges, though further details were not immediately available.

Prosecutors also argued that the drone operation escalated tensions with North Korea and led to the leakage of classified information after the drones crashed, according to Yonhap news agency. Yoon has appealed his conviction, maintaining that he declared martial law "solely for the sake of the nation."

“

no prior order or subsequent approval

His legal team denied the drone charge, stating there was "no prior order or subsequent approval" from Yoon for the operation. They characterized the flights as a response to North Korea sending balloons with trash across the border and a "legitimate act of self-defence" unrelated to the martial law declaration. Lawyers dismissed the prosecution's claims as a "speculative and false novel."

“

a legitimate act of self-defence

Drone flights remain a sensitive issue in the ongoing tensions between the two Koreas. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung expressed regret in 2026 after an investigation confirmed government officials had sent drones into North Korea in January. While North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister called Lee's statement "wise behavior," hopes for rapprochement diminished as North Korea reverted to labeling the South its "most hostile" enemy.

“

speculative and false novel