South Korea court sentences ex-president Yoon to 30-year jail term in drone case

The Seoul Central District Court found Yoon guilty of abuse of power and aiding the enemy

Published Fri, Jun 12, 2026 · 11:04 AM

Yoon Suk-yeol’s martial law order plunged South Korea into its deepest political turmoil in decades. PHOTO: REUTERS

[SEOUL] A South Korean court sentenced former president Yoon Suk-yeol to 30 years in prison on Friday (Jun 12) over charges linked to military drones sent over Pyongyang to help create a pretext for his failed December 2024 martial law declaration, Yonhap reported.

The Seoul Central District Court found Yoon guilty of abuse of power and aiding the enemy, saying he had conspired in the October 2024 drone incursion from the outset, the news agency said.

Yoon denied wrongdoing. His lawyers said he neither ordered nor later approved the operation, which they said was unrelated to martial law and instead a response to months of North Korean launches across the border of balloons stuffed with rubbish.

Prosecutors had sought a 30-year prison term for Yoon in April.

The ruling adds to a series of judgements against the ousted conservative leader, once South Korea’s top prosecutor, whose martial law order plunged Asia’s fourth-largest economy into its deepest political turmoil in decades.

In February, a South Korean court sentenced Yoon to life in prison after finding him guilty of leading an insurrection linked to the martial law attempt.

South Korea’s ex-president Yoon says sorry for imposing martial law

Supporters of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol shout slogans as they rally outside the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul, South Korea, Feb 19, 2026.

Dueling protests at South Korean ex-leader’s sentencing highlight political rift

While Yoon Suk-yeol’s bid to impose martial law lasted only about six hours in December 2024 before it was met by large street protests and voted down by parliament, it sent shockwaves through South Korea.

South Korean court hands life term to ex‑president Yoon for insurrection

First Lady Kim Keon Hee received one year and eight months jail for accepting bribes from Unification Church officials in return for political favours.

South Korea court sentences ex-First Lady Kim to jail term for bribery

The Seoul Central District Court said it found Yoon guilty of obstructing authorities from executing an arrest warrant related to his martial law declaration in December 2024.

South Korea’s ex-president Yoon given 5-year jail term in first ruling over martial law

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol could receive a sentence of up to 10 years in jail if he is convicted on charges.

South Korea’s ex-president Yoon faces first court ruling over martial law

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He was removed from office last year after the Constitutional Court upheld his impeachment, triggering a snap election that was won by liberal President Lee Jae-myung. Yoon, who is already in custody, can appeal on Friday’s lower court ruling. REUTERS

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Yoon Suk-yeol South Korea Lee Jae-myung

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