A South Korean court sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to a 30‑year prison term on Friday, alleging that he ordered drone flights over North Korea to justify his declaration of martial law.
The 65‑year‑old former president was sentenced together with former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun by the Seoul Central District Court.
He had earlier received a life sentence for leading an insurrection after declaring martial law in December 2024.
North Korea alleged that South Korean drones crossed Pyongyang on three occasions in October 2024 to drop propaganda leaflets.
South Korean Lawmakers Support Suspension of President’s Powers After Short‑Lived Martial Law Declaration
South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol attended a hearing of his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court in Seoul on February 11, 2025. (Lee Jin-man/AP)
Former Defense Minister Kim first issued a vague denial, and South Korea’s Defense Ministry stated it could neither confirm nor deny the allegations.
Although tensions between the two Koreas escalated after the incident, the drone flights did not result in any military clashes.
Prosecutors accused Yoon of trying to provoke a crisis with North Korea while plotting an authoritarian power grab to remove political opponents and consolidate control.
South Korean Court Rules Ex‑President Yoon Suk Yeol Guilty in Insurrection Trial
Supporters of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol staged 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 argued that he had constitutional authority to declare martial law and said the move was meant to highlight what he perceived as obstruction by opposition parties.
His attempt to impose martial law lasted about 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.
Both Yoon and the prosecutors have appealed the insurrection verdict, which had previously sought the death penalty.
