South Korean Police and Military Raid Three Civilians Over Alleged North Korea Drone Flights

Updated 2026-01-21 09:49:24+00:00 (67 articles)

Joint Police‑Military Raid Targets Three Civilian Drone Suspects The coordinated team of police and military executed search and seizure warrants at 8 a.m. on Jan 21, targeting the homes and offices of three civilians accused of violating the Aviation Safety Act by flying drones into North Korea [1][2][3][4][5]. Investigators seized equipment and an unidentified object wrapped in white cloth at a university‑backed startup facility [1]. The operation underscores a cross‑agency effort to trace responsibility for the alleged incursions.

Investigation Triggered by North Korea’s Drone Incursion Claims The probe began after Pyongyang alleged that South Korean drones breached its airspace in September 2025 and again on Jan 4 2026 [1][2][3][4]. North Korea’s KCNA released a photo it said showed a South‑made drone forced to fall in Kaesong using electronic means [1][4]. South Korea’s military has denied operating the drone models cited by the North and rejects any state involvement [1][2][3][4].

Graduate Student Oh Publicly Claims Responsibility for Drone Flights graduate student surnamed Oh, in his 30s, told a media outlet that he personally piloted the drones [1][2][3][4]. Police questioned Oh on the day of the raid, linking his admission directly to the investigation [1][2][3][4]. His statement provides a civilian lead amid broader suspicions of covert operations.

Two Suspects Tied to University‑Backed Startup and Former Presidential Office Two of the suspects attended the same Seoul university, worked in the presidential office under former President Yoon Suk‑yeol, and co‑founded a drone manufacturing startup with university support in 2024 [1][2][3][4]. Investigators searched the startup’s premises but did not raid the offices of two North‑Korea‑focused online news outlets the suspects operated, which have since been shut down over accusations of serving as fronts for covert intelligence activities [1][2][3][4]. The focus on the startup highlights potential commercial links to the drone flights.

North Korea Releases Photo Claiming South‑Made Drone Was Forced Down KCNA’s released image depicts a drone it says was launched from South Korea on Sept 27 2025 and forced to descend in Jangphung County, Kaesong, using electronic interference [4]. The photo is used by Pyongyang to substantiate its sovereignty complaints and intensify diplomatic pressure on Seoul [4].