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

Updated 2026-01-21 09:49:24+00:00 (53 articles)

Coordinated raid executed under Aviation Safety Act A joint police‑military team searched the homes and offices of three civilian suspects at 8 a.m. on Jan 21, 2026, carrying out search and seizure warrants for alleged violations of the Aviation Safety Act [1][2][3][4][5]. Investigators focused on locations tied to a university‑backed drone startup and seized an unidentified object wrapped in white cloth [1]. Police declined to disclose the suspects’ names during the briefing [2][3][4].

Investigation triggered by North Korean drone sovereignty complaints North Korea’s KCNA released a photo it said showed a South Korean drone forced down in Kaesong after electronic interference, alleging incursions in September 2025 and again on Jan 4, 2026 [1][3][4]. Seoul’s military denied any involvement and stated it does not operate the drone models cited by Pyongyang [1][3]. The allegations prompted the cross‑agency probe into possible civilian involvement [2][4].

Graduate student Oh admits piloting drones in media interview A graduate student surnamed Oh, in his 30s, told reporters he personally flew the drones that entered North Korean airspace [1][2][3]. He was questioned by investigators on the day of the raid [1][3]. Oh also ran two North Korea‑focused online news outlets that were later shut down amid accusations of serving as fronts for covert operations [1][2].

Two suspects linked to university, former presidential office, and startup The two other suspects attended the same Seoul university, previously worked at 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 facility but did not enter the news‑outlet offices [1][2]. The startup’s activities are under scrutiny for possible connections to the alleged incursions [3][4].

News outlet offices spared while startup facility examined Although the suspects operated two online outlets covering North Korea, investigators left those offices untouched, concentrating instead on the startup’s lab and related equipment [1][2]. The decision underscores a focus on the manufacturing side rather than the media side of the alleged operation [1][2].