Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol sentenced to 30 years over North Korea drone flights
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A South Korean court on Friday sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to 30 years in prison after finding him guilty in a case centered on allegations that he ordered drone incursions into North Korea to help justify imposing martial law.

Yoon, 65, was sentenced by the Seoul Central District Court alongside former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun.

The ruling adds to Yoon’s mounting legal troubles. He had already been sentenced to life in prison for leading an insurrection after declaring martial law in December 2024.

The case stems from accusations by North Korea that South Korea flew drones over Pyongyang on three occasions in October 2024, allegedly dropping propaganda leaflets.

At the time, then-Defense Minister Kim responded with an ambiguous denial. South Korea’s Defense Ministry later said it could neither confirm nor deny the claims.

Yoon, who was impeached and removed from office, had appeared earlier this year at a hearing in Seoul as part of his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court.

Although tensions between the two Koreas escalated following the incident, the drone flights did not lead to any military clashes.

Prosecutors accused Yoon of attempting to create a crisis with North Korea while plotting an authoritarian power grab aimed at removing political opponents and consolidating control.

SOUTH KOREAN COURT RULES EX‑PRESIDENT YOON SUK YEOL GUILTY IN INSURRECTION TRIAL

Supporters of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol stage a rally outside the Seoul High Court in Seoul on April 29, 2026. (Ahn Young-joon/AP)

Before declaring martial law, Yoon delivered a televised address accusing liberal lawmakers of sympathizing with North Korea.

Yoon has argued that he possessed the constitutional authority to declare martial law and said the move was intended to draw attention to what he viewed as obstruction by opposition parties.

His attempt to impose martial law lasted roughly six hours before lawmakers voted to overturn it amid mass public protests.

Yoon was arrested in July 2025 and continues to face multiple criminal proceedings.

South Korea's ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol arriving at Seoul Central District Court

South Korea’s ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol arrives at Seoul Central District Court in Seoul to attend his trial on charges related to declaring martial law on Dec. 3, 2025. (Ahn Young-joon/AP)

The insurrection verdict has been appealed by both Yoon and prosecutors, who had sought the death penalty.

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