Estrella Engineering, a civilian drone company under joint military and police investigation for allegedly sending unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to North Korea, has been found to have promoted its drone deliveries to the South Korean military during the Yoon Suk Yeol administration.
According to documents obtained by News1 from Democratic Party Rep. Park Sung-jun’s office on Thursday, Estrella claimed in its 2024 Sejong University student startup competition entry that it had supplied reconnaissance assets to the armed forces.
Estrella has been identified as the company behind the drones that infiltrated North Korea. Police have named three suspects in the case: the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Jang, co-founder Mr. Oh, and North Korea liaison director Mr. Kim.
The company secured office space at the university through two internal competitions in 2023 and 2024. In their 2024 business plan, they stated that it initially provided reconnaissance assets to the military at no cost and plan to transition to paid services, suggesting they had already supplied drones to the armed forces.
Questions have been raised about potential support for their drone production from the Defense Intelligence Command during Yoon’s presidency.
The command confirmed that Mr. Oh had been a civilian collaborator but clarified that the funding provided was for his operation of two media outlets covering North Korean and international issues, unrelated to drone development.
In their university application, the team highlighted their experience working at the presidential office during Yoon’s administration. Their 2023 startup proposal included photos taken at the Blue House and images of Mr. Oh shaking hands with the former president.
They also boasted that the team members are active in relevant fields and have extensive networks with public sector decision-makers.
Documents submitted to the university revealed that they began developing prototype drones in September 2023. Initially planning to sell UAVs for mining security, anti-piracy, and law enforcement in Nigeria, they claimed the venture failed due to North Korean interference and political instability.
As a result, they pivoted their business plan from developing non-lethal reconnaissance drones in 2023 to producing small, multi-purpose combat-capable UAVs starting in 2024.
Currently, the task force is investigating Mr. Oh and two others for alleged violations of aviation safety laws and other offenses.
The investigation also covers the circumstances surrounding their drone flights to North Korea and potential support from military and intelligence agencies, including the Defense Intelligence Command.
On January 16, Mr. Oh appeared on a broadcast, claiming he flew a drone to measure radiation and heavy metal contamination at a uranium facility in Pyongsan, North Korea.
