WorldNews Service
Ousted South Korean President Yoon Given Prison Term for Drone Flights Over Pyongyang
By The Associated Press
Published: June 12, 2026 at 7:29AM EDT
South Korea's ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol arrives to attend his trial at the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul, South Korea, May 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon, Pool)
In a landmark ruling, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to a prison term for authorizing drone flights over the North Korean capital, Pyongyang. The court found Yoon guilty of violating national security laws and endangering peace on the Korean Peninsula. The drone operations, which took place during his tenure, were intended to gather intelligence but were deemed provocative and illegal by the judiciary. Yoon, who was impeached and removed from office last year, maintained his innocence throughout the trial, arguing the flights were necessary for national defense. Prosecutors sought a lengthy sentence, citing the severe breach of protocol and potential for armed conflict. The verdict has drawn mixed reactions, with supporters decrying it as politically motivated and opponents viewing it as a necessary check on executive power. The sentencing marks a dramatic fall for Yoon, who once held the highest office in the land.
