South Korean Prosecutors Request 30-Year Sentence for Former President Yoon Suk Yeol Over Drone Incursion Charges

Apr 24, 2026, 08:16

Introduction

On April 24, 2025, South Korean special prosecutors formally requested a 30-year prison term for former President Yoon Suk Yeol on charges related to ordering military drone flights over Pyongyang in October 2024. The request was made during the closing hearing of a trial at the Seoul Central District Court.

Main Body

The special counsel team, led by prosecutor Cho Eun-suk, alleged that Yoon ordered the Drone Operations Command to send drones into North Korean airspace. They claimed this was done to create a reason for his declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024. The charges against Yoon include benefiting the enemy and abuse of authority. Prosecutors argued that the operation increased military tensions between the two Koreas. Furthermore, after one drone crashed, it led to the exposure of classified military information related to operational capabilities. A 25-year prison term was also requested for former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who was indicted on similar charges for his role in planning and carrying out the martial law declaration. Yoon has denied the accusations. His lawyers stated that he did not take any action that could cause a military clash with North Korea. The former president is already serving a life sentence imposed in February 2025 after being found guilty of leading an insurrection linked to the martial law decree. Both Yoon and prosecutors have appealed that verdict. The drone incursions were first alleged by North Korea in October 2024. Seoul initially denied the claims before stating it could not confirm them. The martial law declaration lasted approximately six hours before being overturned by a legislative vote. Yoon was subsequently impeached in December 2024, removed by the Constitutional Court in April 2025, and arrested in July 2025. Current President Lee Jae-myung, who succeeded Yoon after winning an early election in June 2025, has expressed regret to North Korea over the drone operations. He has also indicated a willingness to improve bilateral relations by stopping such provocations.

Conclusion

The Seoul Central District Court is expected to deliver a verdict on the drone-related charges at a later date. This case is one of several criminal proceedings against Yoon, who remains in prison following his life sentence for insurrection.

Vocabulary Learning

abuse of authority
The misuse of power or position for an improper purpose.濫用權力或職位以達到不正當目的。
Example:The former president was charged with abuse of authority for ordering the drone flights.
bilateral relations
Political, economic, or cultural connections between two countries.兩國之間的政治、經濟或文化聯繫。
Example:The new president expressed a willingness to improve bilateral relations with North Korea.
incursion
A sudden, brief invasion or entry into a territory, often involving military force.突然的、短暫的入侵或進入某個領土，通常涉及軍事力量。
Example:The drone incursion into North Korean airspace was a key point in the trial.
indict
To formally accuse someone of a serious crime, especially in a court of law.正式指控某人犯有嚴重罪行，尤其是在法庭上。
Example:The former defense minister was indicted on similar charges for his role in the plan.
martial law
Temporary rule by military authorities over a civilian population, usually during an emergency.在緊急情況下，由軍事當局對平民實施的臨時統治。
Example:The president's declaration of martial law lasted only six hours before being overturned.

Sentence Learning

The special counsel team, led by prosecutor Cho Eun-suk, alleged that Yoon ordered the Drone Operations Command to send drones into North Korean airspace.
This sentence uses a reduced relative clause ('led by prosecutor Cho Eun-suk') to add information about the team without starting a new sentence. The structure 'alleged that' introduces a reported claim, which is common in formal reporting. This sentence uses a reduced relative clause ('led by prosecutor Cho Eun-suk') to add information about the team without starting a new sentence. The structure 'alleged that' introduces a reported claim, which is common in formal reporting.呢句句子用咗一個簡化嘅關係子句（'led by prosecutor Cho Eun-suk'）嚟補充有關團隊嘅資訊，而唔使另開一句新句子。結構 'alleged that' 引入一個匯報嘅指控，呢種寫法喺正式報導中好常見。
A 25-year prison term was also requested for former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who was indicted on similar charges for his role in planning and carrying out the martial law declaration.
This sentence uses the passive voice ('was also requested') to focus on the action (the request) rather than who made it. The relative clause ('who was indicted...') provides additional details about Kim Yong-hyun, making the sentence more informative and cohesive. This sentence uses the passive voice ('was also requested') to focus on the action (the request) rather than who made it. The relative clause ('who was indicted...') provides additional details about Kim Yong-hyun, making the sentence more informative and cohesive.呢句句子用咗被動語態（'was also requested'）嚟強調個動作（請求本身），而唔係邊個作出請求。關係子句（'who was indicted...'）提供咗有關金容顯嘅額外細節，令句子更豐富同連貫。
The former president is already serving a life sentence imposed in February 2025 after being found guilty of leading an insurrection linked to the martial law decree.
This sentence uses a past participle phrase ('imposed in February 2025') to describe the sentence, and a passive structure ('after being found guilty') to show the sequence of events. The linking word 'after' clearly indicates time order, helping organize the timeline of events. This sentence uses a past participle phrase ('imposed in February 2025') to describe the sentence, and a passive structure ('after being found guilty') to show the sequence of events. The linking word 'after' clearly indicates time order, helping organize the timeline of events.呢句句子用咗一個過去分詞短語（'imposed in February 2025'）嚟形容個判決，同埋一個被動結構（'after being found guilty'）嚟顯示事件嘅先後次序。連接詞 'after' 清楚表示時間順序，有助組織事件嘅時序。
Current President Lee Jae-myung, who succeeded Yoon after winning an early election in June 2025, has expressed regret to North Korea over the drone operations.
This sentence uses a non-defining relative clause ('who succeeded Yoon...') to add extra information about President Lee. This structure allows the writer to include background details without interrupting the main idea. The main clause 'has expressed regret' uses the present perfect tense to connect a past action to the present situation. This sentence uses a non-defining relative clause ('who succeeded Yoon...') to add extra information about President Lee. This structure allows the writer to include background details without interrupting the main idea. The main clause 'has expressed regret' uses the present perfect tense to connect a past action to the present situation.呢句句子用咗一個非限定性關係子句（'who succeeded Yoon...'）嚟補充有關李在明總統嘅額外資訊。呢個結構容許作者加入背景細節，而唔會打斷主要意思。主要子句 'has expressed regret' 用咗現在完成式，將過去嘅行動同而家嘅情況連繫起嚟。
He has also indicated a willingness to improve bilateral relations by stopping such provocations.
This sentence uses the preposition 'by' plus a gerund ('stopping') to show the method or means of achieving an action. This structure clearly explains how the president plans to improve relations. The phrase 'a willingness to improve' uses an infinitive to express intention, making the sentence logical and easy to follow. This sentence uses the preposition 'by' plus a gerund ('stopping') to show the method or means of achieving an action. This structure clearly explains how the president plans to improve relations. The phrase 'a willingness to improve' uses an infinitive to express intention, making the sentence logical and easy to follow.呢句句子用咗介詞 'by' 加上動名詞（'stopping'）嚟表示達成某個行動嘅方法或手段。呢個結構清楚解釋咗總統打算點樣改善關係。短語 'a willingness to improve' 用咗不定詞嚟表達意圖，令句子合邏輯同容易理解。