Yoon Seok-yeol: Former South Korean President Yoon sentenced to 30 years in prison for drone campaign against North Korea World News
A Seoul court on Friday sentenced former President Yun Seok-yeol to 30 years in prison for ordering drones to infiltrate North Korea in an attempt to escalate cross-border tensions and lay the groundwork for his declaration of martial law in December 2024.The 36th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court stated that Pyongyang’s drone operation “is considered an action aimed at creating a situation where emergency martial law is declared” and “cannot be regarded as a legitimate military operation.”Special prosecutor Cho Eun-suk’s team had called for Yoon to be sentenced to 30 years in prison on charges including benefiting the enemy, accusing him of ordering the flights in October 2024 to provoke Pyongyang and use them as a pretext for the military operation in December. 3. Declaration of martial law.
court decision
The court pointed out that in March 2023, Yoon mentioned emergency powers in a meeting with former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and others. Former Secretary Kim also discussed emergency powers in a meeting with former commanders, indicating the need to create such a situation.The court further noted that Kim Jong Un ordered the operation even during a period when North Korea was not provocative by launching balloons and continued it despite the objections of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.Citing phrases in the former commander’s notes such as “we must seize the opportunities created” and “against reputational damage”, the court concluded that “the content of the recommendation to enact emergency martial law was confirmed”.The court held that the operation harmed military interests. “General treason does not require actual harm; the mere risk of occurrence is sufficient,” the court said, adding that “human and material losses were caused, and the action triggered North Korea’s aggression.”The court also noted that military secrets were leaked to North Korea, making similar operations difficult in the future.Regarding the general treason charge, the court regarded Yun Seok-yeol as an accomplice and stated that “Yin Seok-yeol appears to have conspired in the actions to create emergency martial law conditions.”He was also found guilty on abuse of power charges. The court said Yoon and Kim had military command authority but “ordered illegal operations rather than legal ones.”“This goes against the military’s mission as stipulated in South Korea’s constitution, and soldiers are not obliged to comply with such orders,” the court added.Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and former commander Yeo In-hyung were also found guilty. Kim Yong-dae, the former commander of the Drone Command, was excluded from general treason charges but faces charges of abuse of power for ignoring mandatory procedures and ordering drone infiltration.
