Former President Yoon Suk Yeol, indicted for charges related to the Pyongyang drone operation, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison, matching the recommendation of the special investigation team led by Special Prosecutor Cho Eun-seok.
On June 12, the Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Division 36, presided over by Judge Lee Jeong-yeop, handed down the 30-year sentence to the former president for charges of treason and abuse of power.
Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, also indicted for treason and obstruction of official duties, received a 30-year sentence, surpassing the prosecution’s recommendation of 25 years.
The court sentenced former Army Intelligence Commander Yeo In-hyung to 15 years in prison for treason and abuse of power. Former Drone Operations Commander Kim Yong-dae received a three-year prison sentence, suspended for five years, for charges related to the destruction of military property and leaking military secrets.
The court stated that Yoon, Kim Yong-hyun, and Yeo deliberately attempted to create a national emergency to misuse the authority to declare martial law. The judges emphasized that this action directly contradicts the intended purpose of the president’s power to declare martial law.
They further noted that by creating the facade of a military operation, the accused exploited soldiers for personal gain, betraying the public’s fundamental trust that the president and defense minister would only use military force for legitimate purposes, such as national security and territorial defense.
Harmed South Korea’s Military Interests… Found Guilty of Treason
The court determined that Yoon and Kim committed treason under the Criminal Act, while Yeo was found guilty under military law.
The judges explained that the defendants conspired to create a national emergency by provoking North Korea to induce military provocations against South Korean forces and civilians, thereby escalating military tensions between the two Koreas.
They further noted that Yoon approved the execution of this operation from the outset, while Yeo participated in planning the martial law declaration and discussed its timing and conditions with Kim Yong-hyun, ensuring the operation remained covert.
The court indicated that this operation exposed South Korean military capabilities to North Korea, compromising future operations and strengthening North Korea’s readiness. They stated that this operation significantly harmed South Korea’s military interests.
The court also found Yoon, Kim, and Yeo guilty of obstructing the exercise of authority. The judges emphasized that the directives for executing this operation aimed to create a national emergency, mobilizing the military against its constitutionally defined mission.
Kim Yong-hyun and Kim Yong-dae Conspired to Conceal Operation… All Found Guilty
The court ruled all charges against both Kims, including obstruction of official duties, falsification of official documents, and abuse of authority, as guilty.
The judges stated that to cover up this operation, Kim Yong-hyun and Kim Yong-dae conspired to fabricate a narrative, claiming that military assets lost during the operation had been lost during training exercises, and directed soldiers to adhere to this false account.
Additionally, the court found Kim Yong-dae guilty of charges related to the destruction of military property, leaking military secrets, and attempting to damage public electronic records.
The court explained that Kim Yong-dae reported the combat experiment of the Drone Operations Command to Kim Yong-hyun, then head of the presidential security service, in June and July 2024, thereby leaking military secrets. He also directed the disposal of related military materials and deletion of records to cover up the operation.
Yoon Believed He Could Use His Authority for Political Gain
The judges noted the necessity to prevent the consequences of crimes against the state as a factor in sentencing.
They explained that such crimes jeopardize the nation’s existence from external threats, and if violations result in consequences, they can lead to numerous casualties or even state collapse, making punishment practically impossible.
They emphasized the critical need to consider the prevention of any such violations in advance as a significant factor in sentencing.
Particularly regarding former President Yoon, they stated that the authority granted to the president for military command and declaration of martial law must be used to protect the nation’s existence and safety. They highlighted that Yoon believed he could use this authority for his political gain and approved the operation to create a national emergency.
Yoon’s Defense Team to Appeal, Citing Need to Restore Justice; Special Prosecution Expresses Gratitude to Court
Following the verdict, both former President Yoon and former Minister Kim’s legal teams announced their intention to appeal.
Yoon’s attorney, Bae Ui-cheol, declared that South Korea’s national security has been severely undermined by this judicial decision. It will steadfastly uphold truth and justice through the appeal process and protect the national interests.
Minister Kim’s defense team remarked that the only beneficiaries of this ruling are Kim Jong Un’s regime, vowing to challenge what they view as an unjust ruling through appeal.
The special prosecution team expressed deep appreciation to the court for recognizing the operation’s purpose as creating conditions for martial law. They stated they would assess the defendants’ appeal intentions before deciding on their own course of action.
