Archive · 18 Jan 2026
Drone Suspect Worked at South Korea's Ex-Prez Office
A man in his 30s who used to work at the South Korean president's office is in trouble.
He is accused of making a drone that might have flown into North Korea.
He and another man in their 30s went to the same university and started a drone company together.
They also helped with a group that works on unification between North and South Korea.
The man says he made the drone but didn't fly it.
North Korea is upset and says South Korea sent drones into their country, but South Korea says it wasn't their military.
The police are still trying to figure out what happened.
A civilian suspect in his 30s, who previously worked at the South Korean presidential office, is accused of making a drone allegedly flown into North Korea.
The suspect was questioned by a joint military-police investigation team and referred to prosecutors for violating aviation security regulations.
The suspect and another man in their 30s attended the same university, co-founded a drone startup, and helped organize a youth unification organization.
North Korea claims South Korea violated its sovereignty through drone incursions, while South Korea denies military involvement.
The investigation is ongoing to determine the motive and circumstances, including possible collusion between the two men.
- Who
- A civilian suspect in his 30s, former employee of South Korean presidential office, and another man in his 30s
- What
- Alleged drone flight into North Korea and violation of aviation security regulations
- When
- Drone incidents in September 2023 and January 4, 2024; suspect questioned on Friday
- Where
- South Korea and North Korea
- Why
- Motive and circumstances under investigation, including possible collusion
- Suspect's Age
- 30s
- Suspect's Former Employer
- South Korean presidential office under Yoon Suk Yeol
- Drone Incident Date
- September 2023 and January 4, 2024
- North Korea's Response
- Claimed sovereignty violation, demanded apology
- South Korea's Response
- Denied military involvement