Archive · 10 Nov 2025
South Korea Indicts Ousted President Yoon for Drone Flights Over North Korea
A former president of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, is facing new criminal charges.
Prosecutors say he ordered spy planes, called drones, to fly over North Korea a few months before he tried to declare martial law.
They believe he did this on purpose to make it seem like North Korea was a bigger threat.
This was meant to help him justify why he wanted to impose martial law, which is like a military takeover of the government.
Prosecutors found notes that suggest this plan.
Yoon was already removed from his job and is on trial for trying to declare martial law and for leading a rebellion.
His defense team has said he didn't know about the drone flights.
Two of his former top defense officials are also charged in this case.
Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been indicted for allegedly ordering drone flights over North Korea.
Prosecutors claim these drone flights were intended to increase tensions and justify Yoon's prior attempts to declare martial law.
Yoon is also currently on trial for insurrection and rebellion related to his imposition of martial law in December 2024.
Evidence cited includes memos suggesting plots to create an unstable situation with North Korea.
Two of Yoon's former top defense officials have also been indicted and arrested in connection with the drone flights and martial law.
- Who
- Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, and ex-counterintelligence commander Yeo In-hyung
- What
- Indicted on charges of benefiting the enemy and abusing power for allegedly ordering drone flights over North Korea.
- When
- Indictment on Monday; drone flights occurred in October 2024; martial law declared on December 3, 2024.
- Where
- South Korea and North Korea (drone flights)
- Why
- Prosecutors allege the drone flights were intended to stoke tensions, create an environment for declaring emergency martial law, and undermine military interests.
Prosecution's Allegations
Former President Yoon's Defense
Intent Behind Drone Flights
Prosecution's Allegations
Prosecutors allege Yoon ordered drone flights over North Korea to intentionally increase tensions, thereby creating a justification for declaring martial law and undermining military interests. Memos suggest plots to 'trigger tensions with North Korea' and 'create an unstable situation' with 'targets like Pyongyang'.
Former President Yoon's Defense
Yoon's defense team has previously stated that Yoon was not informed of the drone flights. He is currently on trial for insurrection and rebellion related to his martial law declaration.
Martial Law Declaration Justification
Prosecution's Allegations
The prosecution claims Yoon's actions, including the drone flights, were aimed at creating an environment for declaring emergency martial law. The martial law was briefly cited as a response to 'threats from North Korean communist forces' but also linked to Yoon's conflicts with parliament.
Former President Yoon's Defense
Yoon was impeached and removed from office, and is currently facing trial for charges including masterminding a rebellion related to the martial law imposition. His specific defense against the prosecution's interpretation of his motives for martial law is not detailed in this indictment.
- Indicted Former President
- Yoon Suk Yeol
- Indicting Body
- South Korean special investigation team led by independent counsel Cho Eun-suk
- Date of Indictment
- Monday
- New Charges
- Benefiting the enemy and committing abuse of power (related to drone flights over North Korea)
- Previous Charges
- Insurrection, masterminding a rebellion (related to martial law declaration)
- Alleged Drone Flights
- Occurred in October 2024, two months before martial law declaration
- Cited Evidence
- Memos found on ex-counterintelligence commander Yeo In-hyung's mobile phone
- Status of Other Officials
- Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun and ex-counterintelligence commander Yeo In-hyung also indicted and arrested.
Sources
South Korea special prosecutor indicts ex-President Yoon on more charges
South Korea special prosecutor indicts ex-President Yoon on more charges
South Korean prosecutor charges former president Yoon over national security violations
