Former South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after being found guilty of orchestrating a martial law declaration by allegedly sending drones to Pyongyang.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, which cites the Yonhap news agency, the Seoul Central District Court convicted the former head of state on charges of aiding the enemy and abuse of power.
The court concluded that Yoon played a role in sending drones carrying propaganda leaflets near Pyongyang in the autumn of 2024 to provoke North Korea. Prosecutors argued that the operation was designed to create a pretext for declaring martial law in the country. While the judge noted that the operation did not cause significant military damage, it was driven by political motives rather than national security concerns.
Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun was also sentenced to 30 years in prison in the same case, while the former head of the Drone Operations Command received a three-year sentence. Yoon faced intense political and legal pressure following his declaration of martial law in December 2024, which ultimately led to his removal from office. This verdict marks a significant moment in South Korean political history, highlighting the severe legal consequences for the misuse of executive power in the nation.
