A case involving a graduate student, Mr. Oh, who repeatedly launched drones into North Korea, has been assigned to the specialized court for insurrection cases.
On March 27, legal sources reported that the Seoul Central District Court has assigned the case of Mr. Oh and drone manufacturers, charged with general treason and violations of aviation safety laws, to Criminal Division 38-3. The panel consists of Judges Choi Young-gak, Jang Seong-jin, and Jeong Su-young.
This court is part of the specialized insurrection tribunal established on December 23, alongside Criminal Division 37. The bench includes Chief Judge Jang Seong-jin (55, Judicial Research and Training Institute Class 31), Chief Judge Jeong Su-young (49, Class 32), and Chief Judge Choi Young-gak (48, Class 34).
Under the Special Act on Criminal Procedures for Insurrection, Foreign Currency Crimes, and Rebellion, cases of national significance with substantial political, economic, or social impact that garner public attention can be tried in this specialized court.
A spokesperson for the Seoul Central District Court explained that the drone case falls under ‘foreign currency crimes’ and has attracted significant public interest, warranting its assignment to this specialized court.
Mr. Oh and other civilians were indicted for evading military surveillance to fly civilian drones over North Korea’s Kaesong area for reconnaissance purposes.
The defendants are accused of illegally piloting civilian drones across the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) into North Korea on four separate occasions between September 27 last year and January 4 this year. They allegedly captured video footage while circumventing military air defense systems.
The drones deployed by Mr. Oh and his associates in September and January failed to return and crashed in North Korean territory. North Korean authorities recovered and analyzed the drones and SD cards, subsequently issuing a critical statement in January based on the flight data and video content obtained.