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South Korean Court Sentences Yoon Suk Yeol to 30 Years in Prison
A Seoul-based court sentenced former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to 30 years in prison over allegations that he ordered drone flights over North Korea. The verdict comes amid ongoing trials related to the declaration of martial law and coup accusations.
A court in South Korea sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to 30 years in prison on charges of ordering drone flights over North Korea. The ruling was announced amid ongoing accusations that Yoon tried to create a crisis to justify the declaration of martial law.
The Seoul Central District Court also convicted former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun in the same case. Yoon, aged 65, had previously been sentenced to life imprisonment for leading a rebellion following the declaration of martial law.
Drone Flights Escalated Tensions
North Korea claimed that South Korea sent drones three times in October 2024 to drop propaganda leaflets over Pyongyang. South Korea’s former defense minister initially issued a vague denial; later, the Ministry of Defense neither confirmed nor denied the allegations.
Although this incident heightened tensions between the two countries, the drone flights did not escalate into military conflict. Prosecutors argued that Yoon attempted to manufacture an artificial crisis with North Korea to sideline political opponents and centralize power.
Martial Law Decision and Political Crisis
Before declaring martial law, Yoon accused liberal lawmakers in a televised speech of being sympathetic to North Korea. He claimed he was exercising his constitutional authority and that the move was intended to draw attention to opposition obstruction.
The martial law attempt lasted about six hours. Lawmakers overturned the decision, mass protests erupted nationwide, and the political crisis deepened following the ruling.
Yoon was detained in July 2025 and continues to face multiple criminal trials. The verdict in the rebellion case has been appealed by both Yoon and the prosecutors; the prosecution had sought the death penalty in this case.
A New Phase in the Judicial Process
The latest sentence marks a new stage in the extensive judicial proceedings against Yoon. The court’s ruling once again brought the martial law decision, tensions with North Korea, and allegations of abuse of power into focus within the same case.
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