South Korean investigators jointly raided over 18 locations of intelligence and military intelligence offices to find links to the drone incursion into North Korean airspace and its subsequent shootdown. The probe is expanding to examine ties to former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who is currently facing charges of attempting to create a situation to declare martial law.
South Korean investigators combined forces to raid the National Intelligence Service (NIS) headquarters to examine possible government involvement in the drone shootdown incident in North Korean territory earlier this year.
In this major security operation, a joint task force of police and military searched 18 targeted sites, including the Defense Intelligence Command and the National Intelligence Service. The investigation focuses on three active-duty soldiers and one intelligence officer.
A statement from the task force said they will thoroughly uncover the truth behind this mysterious drone incident by analyzing seized documents and evidence, as well as conducting strict interrogations of suspects. Previously, three civilians were charged, one claiming the drone was used to measure radiation levels at a uranium facility in North Korea.
The incident traces back to January when Pyongyang accused Seoul of sending drones to intrude into Kaesong city and released images of drone debris said to have been shot down. Although current President Lee Jae-myung initially denied the acts, stating such actions were like pulling the trigger at North Korea.
However, the current investigation targets former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who faces charges of ordering drones to intrude into North Korean airspace to drop anti-Pyongyang leaflets. Prosecutors state Yoon attempted to create conflict as a pretext to declare martial law at the end of 2024, aiming to overthrow the civilian government but failed, leading to his impeachment in April last year.
The stance of the new leader and ongoing tensions: President Lee Jae-myung has tried to ease border tensions by ordering the removal of propaganda loudspeakers and hinted at wanting to apologize to North Korea for previous government actions, though he acknowledged concerns about political attacks accusing him of pro-North sympathies.
Meanwhile, the situation in North Korea remains worrisome. In August 2024, Kim Jong-un ordered the mass production of attack drones, which experts believe are supported by Russian technology, intended as explosive suicide drones to target enemies. Previously, both sides had retaliated by sending trash balloons and propaganda leaflets across the border.
,AFP