South Korea's special prosecutors have proposed increasing former President Yoon Suk Yeol's prison sentence by 30 years on charges of aiding the enemy after evidence surfaced that he ordered military drones to violate North Korean airspace in 2024, aiming to use heightened tensions as a pretext for declaring martial law.
A special court team led by special prosecutor Cho Eun-sook filed a petition with the Seoul Central District Court seeking a 30-year prison sentence for former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on charges of aiding the enemy in connection with the scandal over ordering military drones to fly into Pyongyang, North Korea, in 2024.
Prosecutors also proposed a 25-year prison sentence for former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun on the same charges, stating that the actions of both individuals constituted "crimes against the state and its people."
Investigators believe the drone incursion in October 2024 was covertly intended to provoke a North Korean response, thereby creating conditions and justification for a martial law declaration that ultimately failed in December 2024. Prosecutors stated that Yoon attempted to "fabricate a war situation," severely harming national security and the country's military interests.
The risks included military secrets leaking after one drone crashed in North Korean territory, allowing adversaries access to South Korea's military capabilities. At that time, Pyongyang released images of the drone wreckage and launched severe attacks on Seoul, citing multiple sovereignty violations.
Currently, Yoon Suk Yeol is detained and faces multiple criminal charges linked to the martial law declaration on 3 December 2024. Earlier in February, a lower court sentenced him to life imprisonment for rebellion aimed at paralyzing the legislature; however, Yoon appealed, claiming his actions were "for the nation."
The current government, led by President Lee Jae-myung, has expressed regret over the incident and is working to restore relations with North Korea, affirming a commitment to end provocations like those during Yoon's administration to reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Penalties proposed for other involved individuals include a 20-year sentence for former military intelligence chief Yeo In-hyung and a 5-year sentence for former drone operations commander Kim Yong-dae.
This trial is being held behind closed doors due to national security concerns and is regarded as a historic case that has significantly shaken political confidence in South Korea.