Seoul: A Seoul court sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to 30 years in prison after finding him guilty of ordering drone infiltrations into North Korea. This operation aimed to heighten cross-border tensions as a basis for his martial law declaration in December 2024.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Seoul Central District Court convicted Yoon on charges of benefiting the enemy and abuse of power. The court's ruling matched the special counsel Cho Eun-suk's sentencing recommendation. It was determined that Yoon ordered the operation in October 2024 to provoke Pyongyang, intending to use the anticipated increase in tensions as a pretext for his declaration of martial law on December 3.
Yoon's legal team appealed the ruling hours later. The court also sentenced former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun to 30 years for his involvement, higher than the 25 years sought by the special counsel. Yeo In-hyung, former head of the Defense Counterintelligence Command, received a 15-year sentence, while Kim Yong-dae, former chief of the Drone Operations Command, was sentenced to three years, suspended for five years.
The court stated that the defendants intended to incite North Korea and induce a provocation to create conditions for martial law. This included potentially prompting a national security crisis due to heightened military tension. The court emphasized that these actions betrayed the public's expectation that military force would be used solely for legitimate purposes, noting a personal motivation behind the operation.
Yoon's legal team argued that the drone deployment was a legitimate military response to North Korea's balloon launches into South Korea in 2024. However, the court ruled that the operation compromised South Korea's security by exposing military assets to North Korea, thereby strengthening the North's military readiness.
In October 2024, Pyongyang accused Seoul of drone infiltrations and dropping propaganda leaflets over its capital. Initially, then Defense Minister Kim denied these accusations, but the defense ministry later stated it could neither confirm nor deny them.
This ruling adds to Yoon's legal troubles, as he faces multiple trials related to his failed martial law attempt. In February, he was sentenced to life imprisonment for leading an insurrection through his martial law declaration, a ruling he has also appealed.
