A joint military-police investigation team probing the North Korean drone incursion is set to question an external expert involved in civilian drone development as a person of interest.
According to law enforcement sources on Thursday, the joint task force (JTF) plans to interview an external engineering specialist, identified only as Mr. A, on January 9. Mr. A previously provided technical consultation to Estel Engineering, the civilian drone company suspected of flying unmanned aircraft into North Korea.
The specialist reportedly offered advice on long-endurance drone design to Mr. Kim, the company’s director overseeing North Korea-related operations, who is implicated in the drone infiltration incident.
Police have recently received a whistleblower report from Mr. A and are currently analyzing its contents. The upcoming interview is expected to focus on the drone’s development and the circumstances surrounding its creation.
To date, law enforcement has conducted eight rounds of questioning with three suspects, including Mr. Kim and company representatives Mr. Jang and Mr. Oh.