Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for allegedly orchestrating drone flights over North Korea to justify a declaration of martial law.
A South Korean court has sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to 30 years in prison, following accusations that he ordered drone flights over North Korea to legitimize his declaration of martial law. The ruling was delivered by the Seoul Central District Court on Friday.
Yoon, who is 65 years old, was sentenced alongside former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun. This latest ruling comes after Yoon was previously handed a life sentence for leading an insurrection related to his martial law declaration in December 2024.
In October 2024, North Korea accused South Korea of conducting drone flights over Pyongyang, claiming that the drones were used to drop propaganda leaflets on three separate occasions. The allegations intensified tensions between the two Koreas, although the drone flights did not result in any military confrontations.
Prosecutors have alleged that Yoon sought to create a crisis with North Korea as part of a broader plan to consolidate power and eliminate political adversaries. They contend that his actions were aimed at establishing an authoritarian regime.
Prior to declaring martial law, Yoon made a televised address in which he accused liberal lawmakers of being sympathetic to North Korea. He has defended his decision to impose martial law, asserting that he acted within his constitutional authority and that the declaration was meant to highlight what he perceived as obstruction from opposition parties.
The martial law declaration was short-lived, lasting approximately six hours before it was overturned by lawmakers amid widespread public protests.
Yoon was arrested in July 2025 and is currently facing multiple criminal proceedings. The verdict regarding his insurrection has been appealed by both Yoon and the prosecutors, who had originally sought the death penalty for his actions.
This case has drawn significant attention both domestically and internationally, reflecting the ongoing tensions on the Korean Peninsula and the complex political landscape in South Korea.
According to The Associated Press, the implications of this ruling may reverberate throughout South Korean politics as the nation grapples with its relationship with North Korea and the legacy of Yoon’s presidency.