The joint military-police investigation team probing the recent North Korean drone incursions has reportedly summoned additional persons of interest for intensive questioning, particularly regarding allegations of military involvement.
Police sources revealed on January 30 that the task force (TF) interrogated two key suspects the previous day: Mr. Jang, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the drone manufacturing company, and Mr. Kim, the firm’s director of North Korean affairs. This marked Jang’s fourth and Kim’s second appearance before investigators.
Jang co-founded Estelle Engineering, a drone startup, with graduate student Mr. Oh. Oh has publicly claimed to have launched drones on three occasions to measure radiation levels from a uranium facility in North Korea’s Pyongsan County.
The company was established in September 2023 with backing from Seoul’s Sejong University, where Jang and Oh studied. They later recruited Kim to spearhead North Korea-related initiatives.
The TF is investigating the trio for multiple offenses, including three instances of illegal drone flights in September and November 2022 and January 2023, violating aviation safety regulations. They’re also accused of photographing domestic military installations, contravening laws protecting military assets.
Recent allegations suggest the group received support from the Republic of Korea Defence Intelligence Command (KDIC) for their drone operations. The TF is reportedly scrutinizing these claims.
The KDIC has confirmed Oh’s status as a civilian collaborator but maintains that any funding provided was for his management of two media outlets covering North Korean and international affairs, not for drone activities.
To date, both Jang and Oh have reportedly denied receiving any military assistance for their drone operations during police questioning.