Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol sentenced to 30 years over North Korea drone flights

close Video House Republicans accuse South Korea of targeting US firms, favoring China-aligned interests More than 50 House lawmakers, led by Rep. Darrell Issa, are raising alarms over what they call discriminatory South Korean policies that harm American tech companies and tilt economic advantages toward China-linked competitors. NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Hören Sie sich diesen Artikel an 2 Min A South Korean court sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to 30 years in prison Friday in a case that accused him of ordering drone flights over North Korea in an effort to justify his declaration of martial law. Yoon, 65, was sentenced alongside former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun by the Seoul Central District Court. The ousted president was previously sentenced to life in prison for leading an insurrection following his declaration of martial law in December 2024. North Korea accused South Korea of flying drones over Pyongyang to drop propaganda leaflets on three occasions in October 2024. SOUTH KOREAN LAWMAKERS SUPPORT SUSPENDING PRESIDENT’S POWERS AFTER SHORT-LIVED martial law DECLARATION South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol attends a hearing of his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court in Seoul on Feb. 11, 2025. (Lee Jin-man/AP) Then-Defense Minister Kim initially issued a vague denial before South Korea's Defense Ministry said it could neither confirm nor deny the allegations. 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 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. Michael Sinkewicz is a writer for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to michael.sinkewicz@fox.com