South Korean ex-president Jun Sok-jol sentenced to 30 years over drone operation

A South Korean court sentenced former President Jun Sok-jol to 30 years in prison for authorising a drone operation that flew over North Korea's capital, Pyongyang, in an attempt to raise tensions and create a pretext for declaring emergency rule in December 2024. Prosecutors said the operation aided the enemy and jeopardised state security, while Jun's lawyers claimed he never issued or approved a drone strike.

The ruling is part of a series of convictions against Jun and his associates. The former head of military counter‑intelligence received 15 years, the ex‑head of drone operations three years, former interior minister I Sang‑min seven years, and former prime minister Han Duk‑so 15 years. Jun had previously been removed from office after a brief emergency decree and was earlier given a life sentence for rebellion. North Korea had previously accused South Korea of dropping propaganda flyers from drones over its territory.