South Korean Court Gives Former President 30 Years

A South Korean court sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to 30 years in prison on Friday over a military drone incursion into North Korea, which prosecutors said was intended to help create a pretext for his failed declaration of martial law in December 2024.

The Seoul Central District Court found Yoon guilty of aiding the enemy and abuse of power, saying he had been involved in the October 2024 drone operation over Pyongyang from the outset.

Yoon denies wrongdoing. His lawyers said he neither ordered nor approved the operation, which they described as unrelated to martial law and a response to months of North Korean rubbish-filled balloon launches across the border.

In a separate case in February, Yoon was sentenced to life in prison for leading an insurrection linked to the failed martial law attempt.

He was removed from office last year after the Constitutional Court upheld his impeachment, triggering a snap election won by liberal President Lee Jae Myung.

Yoon, who is already in custody, can appeal Friday’s lower court ruling. He has also appealed the earlier judgment.

(reuters, bak)