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

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been sentenced to 30 years in prison by the Seoul Central District Court. The conviction stems from accusations that he ordered drone flights over North Korea in October 2024 to justify a declaration of martial law. Yoon, along with former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, was found guilty in this case. This follows a previous life sentence for leading an insurrection after his short-lived martial law declaration in December 2024, which was overturned by lawmakers amid protests. Prosecutors alleged Yoon sought to create a crisis and consolidate power. Yoon maintained he had constitutional authority for martial law to counter opposition obstruction. He was arrested in July 2025 and faces further legal proceedings.

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been sentenced to 30 years in prison by a Seoul court for sending military drones into North Korea. Prosecutors argued this action was intended to create a pretext for a martial law declaration in 2024, which they claimed undermined state security. The drone flights, which occurred in October 2024 and reportedly included propaganda leaflets, heightened military tensions between the two Koreas. This sentencing follows a previous life imprisonment sentence for Yoon in February related to an insurrection linked to the martial law attempt. Yoon's lawyers deny his involvement in the drone operation, stating it was a response to North Korean balloon launches and unrelated to martial law.

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for sending drones into North Korea. Prosecutors argued this action was intended to create a pretext for his martial law declaration in 2024, which they stated undermined state security by "fabricating wartime conditions." This latest sentence follows a previous life sentence given to Yoon in February for leading an insurrection aimed at paralyzing the National Assembly with his martial law decree. The sentencing occurred on Friday, June 12, 2026.

A South Korean appeals court has sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to seven years in prison for resisting arrest and bypassing a legitimate Cabinet meeting before his brief imposition of martial law in December 2024. This conviction for obstruction of justice and other charges adds to a life sentence he previously received for rebellion charges related to his authoritarian actions. The court found that Yoon sidestepped a required full Cabinet meeting, falsified documents, and used security officials to resist arrest. His legal team plans to appeal the verdict to the Supreme Court. The martial law decree significantly impacted the country's democracy.