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South Korean Court Seeks Arrest Warrant for Graduate Student Over Four Drone Incursions Into North Korea

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  • This undated file image captured from the website of the Korean Central News Agency shows Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
    This undated file image captured from the website of the Korean Central News Agency shows Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    This undated file image captured from the website of the Korean Central News Agency shows Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • This undated file image captured from the website of the Korean Central News Agency shows Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
    This undated file image captured from the website of the Korean Central News Agency shows Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    This undated file image captured from the website of the Korean Central News Agency shows Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • Investigators carry items seized from a raid on a university in Seoul attended by a graduate student allegedly behind recent drone flights to North Korea on Jan. 21, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Investigators carry items seized from a raid on a university in Seoul attended by a graduate student allegedly behind recent drone flights to North Korea on Jan. 21, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Investigators carry items seized from a raid on a university in Seoul attended by a graduate student allegedly behind recent drone flights to North Korea on Jan. 21, 2026. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • This undated file image captured from the website of the Korean Central News Agency shows Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
    This undated file image captured from the website of the Korean Central News Agency shows Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    This undated file image captured from the website of the Korean Central News Agency shows Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • Investigators carry items seized from a raid on a university in Seoul attended by a graduate student allegedly behind recent drone flights to North Korea on Jan. 21, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Investigators carry items seized from a raid on a university in Seoul attended by a graduate student allegedly behind recent drone flights to North Korea on Jan. 21, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Investigators carry items seized from a raid on a university in Seoul attended by a graduate student allegedly behind recent drone flights to North Korea on Jan. 21, 2026. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • This undated file image captured from the website of the Korean Central News Agency shows Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
    This undated file image captured from the website of the Korean Central News Agency shows Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    This undated file image captured from the website of the Korean Central News Agency shows Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • This undated file image captured from the website of the Korean Central News Agency shows Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
    This undated file image captured from the website of the Korean Central News Agency shows Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    This undated file image captured from the website of the Korean Central News Agency shows Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap) Source Full size

Arrest warrant requested for graduate student Oh South Korean prosecutors asked a court on Feb 20, 2026 to issue an arrest warrant for a 30‑something graduate student surnamed Oh, alleged to have coordinated four test‑flight drones launched from Ganghwa Island that crossed the Kaesong and Pyongsan regions before returning to Paju [1]. Police seized drone‑related equipment during a university raid on Jan 21, 2026, and investigators fear evidence may have been destroyed [1]. The case now involves Oh and six additional suspects linked to drone production and possible military or intelligence contacts [1].

Four cross‑border flights heightened inter‑Korean tension The drones, flown between September 2025 and early February 2026, exposed South Korean military activities and prompted North Korean complaints that the flights “created tension” and jeopardized the Republic’s safety [1]. Authorities charged Oh with benefiting the enemy, breaching aviation safety regulations, and violating military‑installation laws [1]. The task force warned the incursions altered South Korea’s readiness posture and risked further escalation [1].

Seoul apologizes and proposes stricter safeguards Unification Minister Chung Dong‑young publicly expressed regret for the incursions, announced tougher penalties for unauthorized flights, and pledged coordination with border authorities to prevent recurrence [2][3]. The government also signaled intent to revive parts of the 2018 inter‑Korean military pact, including establishing no‑fly zones along the Military Demarcation Line [2][4]. Analysts cautioned that unilateral restraint could weaken South Korea’s ISR capabilities if not matched by Pyongyang [2].

Kim Yo‑jong praises pledge, warns of severe repercussions North Korean leader’s sister Kim Yo‑jong, a senior party official, said she “highly appreciates” Seoul’s commitment to stop drone violations and vowed to tighten border vigilance [3][4][5][6]. She warned that any repeat breach would bring “terrible consequences,” emphasizing the warning as a firm, not empty, statement [3][4][5][6]. Pyongyang also accused the drones of carrying surveillance equipment, underscoring its security concerns [3].

U.S. alliance and regional stability remain central The diplomatic calm achieved after the incidents reflects Washington’s interest in supporting calibrated tension reduction while maintaining deterrence [2]. Both Koreas are urged to pursue verifiable confidence‑building measures to sustain peace, with the U.S. emphasizing balanced commitments from Seoul and Pyongyang [2].

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Timeline

Sep 27 2025 – North Korea claims a South Korean drone launched from Paju entered its airspace, was downed near Kaesong after electronic warfare, and carried surveillance equipment, framing the incident as a sovereignty violation [23][24][25][29][30].

Jan 4 2026 – North Korea reports tracking a drone from Ganghwa County, forcing it to crash near Muksan‑ri, Kaesong after a 156‑km flight with cameras, accusing Seoul of hostile provocation [23][24][25][28][29][30].

Jan 10 2026 – Defense Minister Ahn Gyu‑back denies the drone incursions, saying the images do not match South Korean military drones and suggesting a joint investigation, while President Lee Jae Myung orders a thorough probe and the Blue House reiterates no intent to provoke the North [26][22][19][28][29][30].

Jan 11 2026 – Kim Yo‑jong, sister of Kim Jong‑un, demands a detailed explanation and apology from Seoul for the alleged drones, praises the South’s “wise choice” not to provoke, and warns of “terrible consequences” if provocations recur [20][17][21].

Jan 12 2026 – North Korea says it downed drones from September and Jan 4, releases photos, and Kim Yo‑jong warns Seoul will face “unbearable consequences,” while President Lee orders a rapid investigation and the Blue House pledges no provocation [18][18][18].

Jan 13 2026 – Kim Yo‑jong calls Seoul’s peace overtures a “daydream,” reiterates demand for an apology, and threatens a “high price” for further drone incursions as South Korea continues to deny involvement [17][17].

Jan 14 2026 – National Security Adviser Wi Sung‑lac says South Korea is discussing reviving the 2018 inter‑Korean border pact suspended in 2024, linking the move to the ongoing drone investigation and potential armistice breach if civilians are found responsible [16].

Jan 15 2026 – Unification Minister Chung Dong‑young pledges a swift response to the drone claims, cites the upcoming U.S. President Trump‑China trip as a decisive moment for peace, and notes the advisory panel’s push for indirect channels with Pyongyang [15].

Jan 16 2026 – A joint military‑police probe interrogates a civilian who says he sent drones to monitor radiation at a North Korean uranium site, while North Korea condemns Japan’s security‑document revisions and promotes renewable‑energy projects ahead of large youth events tied to its party congress [12][14].

Jan 20 2026 – President Lee orders a prompt, comprehensive investigation into the alleged drone incursions, emphasizing that civilian‑operated drones would be a grave crime, as South Korea’s foreign image improves and a 1.9‑trillion‑won Block‑I electronic‑warfare aircraft program is launched [11][22].

Jan 20 2026 – A coalition of 357 civic and religious groups and 13 lawmakers calls for suspending the regular South Korea‑U.S. joint drills, arguing de‑escalation is needed for inter‑Korean dialogue [11].

Jan 21 2026 – Police and military conduct simultaneous raids on the homes and offices of three civilian suspects, seize equipment, and question a graduate student who admits piloting the drones that crossed into North Korea from Ganghwa Island [9][10].

Jan 22 2026 – A special advisory committee proposes dismantling the 2023‑established Drone Operations Command and replacing it with a Joint Operations Command, citing functional overlap and linking the reform to the 2024 alleged Yoon‑era illegal drone orders [8].

Jan 23 2026 – South Korea places overseas travel bans on three civilians, including graduate student Oh, amid the probe into alleged drone flights; investigators note the suspects previously worked for a drone manufacturer and had ties to the former presidential office [2][7].

Jan 27 2026 – North Korea launches suspected ballistic missiles toward the sea, timing the test to showcase missile progress ahead of the Workers’ Party congress expected in late January or February, following earlier hypersonic and cruise‑missile tests that underline its expanding deterrent [1].

Feb 13 2026 – Kim Yo‑jong calls South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong‑young’s regret over the drone incursion “sensible,” warns of “various counter‑attack plans” if it recurs, and the ministry considers reinstating the 2018 flight‑restriction zone around the DMZ [6].

Feb 20 2026 – Prosecutors request an arrest warrant for graduate student Oh, accused of orchestrating four drone flights from Ganghwa Island into North Korea, charging him with benefiting the enemy and violating aviation safety after a university raid on Jan 21 seized related materials [5].

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