South Korean court sentences ex-President Yoon to 30 years over drone operation

SEOUL, South Korea — A Seoul court sentenced former South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol to 30 years in prison for sending military drones into North Korean territory in December 2024 to justify his declaration of martial law. The Central District Court also convicted Yoon of aiding the enemy and abuse of power, ruling that he had planned the October 2024 infiltration operation from the outset. Prosecutors told the court that the operation heightened tensions with North Korea and led to the leak of classified information about the country's military capabilities after the drones crashed, according to Yonhap news agency. Yoon had already received a life sentence in February in a separate insurrection case linked to his martial law declaration. He has denied any wrongdoing in the drone operation and said he will appeal the latest ruling. The martial law declaration, which lasted only hours before being overturned by parliament, triggered his removal from office and a cascade of criminal trials. No further details on the appeal were immediately available.