Former South Korean President jailed 30 years over failed drone plot

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has received another lengthy prison sentence, this time over a drone operation prosecutors linked to his failed martial law bid.

A Seoul court sentenced him to 30 years in prison after finding that he played a role in sending military drones over Pyongyang in October 2024.

The court found him guilty of abuse of power and aiding the enemy, according to Yonhap News Agency.

Prosecutors said the drone mission was part of an attempt to provoke a security crisis with North Korea.

They argued that the operation was intended to create a basis for Yoon’s later declaration of martial law in December 2024.

The court accepted the prosecution’s position that Yoon was involved in the plan from the outset.

Yoon has denied the allegations.

His lawyers insisted that he did not order the drone operation and did not approve it afterward.

They said the incident was not connected to martial law but was instead a response to North Korea’s repeated release of rubbish-filled balloons across the border.

The sentence adds to Yoon’s mounting legal troubles following the collapse of his presidency.

In February, he was sentenced to life imprisonment in a separate case after being found guilty of leading an insurrection linked to the failed martial law declaration.

Yoon was later removed from office after the Constitutional Court upheld his impeachment.

His removal led to a snap election, which was won by liberal President Lee Jae Myung.

The martial law attempt pushed South Korea into one of its deepest political crises in decades.

Yoon remains in custody and can appeal the latest ruling.