Ousted South Korean President Yoon given prison term for drone flights over Pyongyang
NPR • • general
Key Points:
- South Korea's former President Yoon Suk Yeol and ex-defense minister Kim Yong Hyun were sentenced to 30 years in prison for ordering drone flights over Pyongyang in 2024 to provoke North Korea and justify martial law.
- The Seoul court found them guilty of aiding an adversary and abusing power, stating their actions endangered South Korea's military interests and escalated tensions with the North.
- Yoon had previously been sentenced to life imprisonment for rebellion related to his brief imposition of martial law in December 2024, which was overturned by lawmakers after about six hours.
- Yoon's lawyers argued the drone flights were retaliatory measures against North Korean balloon propaganda and warned the ruling could harm South Korea's security, with no immediate word on an appeal.
- The case is part of broader legal proceedings against Yoon, who was impeached, removed from office, and arrested in 2025, with appeals ongoing for the rebellion conviction.