Ex-South Korean President Sentenced to 30 Years in Drone Flights Case

A South Korean court has sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to 30 years in prison. The court found him guilty of ordering drone flights over North Korea. This action was allegedly to justify his declaration of martial law.

Yoon, aged 65, was sentenced alongside former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun. The Seoul Central District Court announced the decision.

The former president had already been sentenced to life in prison. This followed an insurrection charge after his martial law declaration in December 2024. North Korea accused the South of flying drones to drop propaganda in Pyongyang on three occasions in October 2024.

South Korean lawmakers had moved to suspend Yoon’s powers shortly after the martial law declaration, emphasizing the swift actions following his announcement.

The impeachment trial of President Yoon took place at the Constitutional Court in Seoul on February 11, 2025. At that time, Defense Minister Kim first gave a vague denial about the drone flights. Later, the Defense Ministry of South Korea stated that it could neither confirm nor deny these allegations.

The incidents increased tensions between the Koreas but did not lead to military conflict. Prosecutors charged Yoon with fabricating a crisis with North Korea to seize power and suppress political rivals.

Before imposing martial law, Yoon addressed the nation. He accused liberal lawmakers of North Korean sympathy. Yoon insisted he had constitutional authority to declare martial law. He claimed his motive was to spotlight the obstruction by opposition parties.

The martial law lasted approximately six hours. Lawmakers quickly voted to overturn it amidst widespread public protests.

Arrested in July 2025, Yoon faces several ongoing criminal cases. Both Yoon and prosecutors have appealed the insurrection verdict. Prosecutors initially pursued the death penalty.