South Korean ex-president Jun Szogjol sentenced to additional 30 years

A South Korean court added a 30‑year prison term to former President Jun Szogjol’s life sentence after convicting him of ordering military drones to be sent to North Korea in October 2024. Prosecutors said the operation was intended to provoke the North and create a pretext for declaring a state of emergency, endangering national security.

Jun, 65, had already been handed a life term for rebellion after attempting to declare martial law in December 2024, along with a separate five‑year sentence. The court found him guilty of abuse of power, betrayal and attempting to create war conditions. His lawyers denied that any orders were given and argued the drone launch was a lawful response to North Korean provocations involving garbage balloons.

The sentencing reflects South Korea’s effort to hold senior officials accountable for actions that heightened inter‑Korean tensions.