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South Korea Holds First Pretrial Hearing for Ex‑President Yoon Amid Drone Probe

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  • Unification Minister Chung Dong-young speaks to the parliamentary Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee on Jan. 28, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Unification Minister Chung Dong-young speaks to the parliamentary Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee on Jan. 28, 2026. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • Former President Yoon Suk Yeol attends his hearing on charges stemming from his failed martial law bid in 2024 at the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul on Jan. 16, 2026, in this photo provided by the court. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Former President Yoon Suk Yeol attends his hearing on charges stemming from his failed martial law bid in 2024 at the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul on Jan. 16, 2026, in this photo provided by the court. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • Former President Yoon Suk Yeol attends his hearing on charges stemming from his failed martial law bid in 2024 at the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul on Jan. 16, 2026, in this photo provided by the court. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Former President Yoon Suk Yeol attends his hearing on charges stemming from his failed martial law bid in 2024 at the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul on Jan. 16, 2026, in this photo provided by the court. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • Unification Minister Chung Dong-young speaks to the parliamentary Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee on Jan. 28, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Unification Minister Chung Dong-young speaks to the parliamentary Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee on Jan. 28, 2026. (Yonhap) Source Full size

Pretrial Hearing Scheduled and Charges Overview The Seoul Central District Court convened its first pre‑trial hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, to decide the next steps in the case against former President Yoon Suk‑yeol, who is not required to appear in person [1]. Special counsel Lee Myeong‑hyeon’s November indictment accuses Yoon of abuse of power for directing the Defense Ministry and presidential office to tamper with a military investigation [1]. Eleven other officials, including former National Security Adviser Cho Tae‑yong and ex‑Defense Minister Lee Jong‑sup, face identical charges, expanding the scope of the scandal [1].

Alleged Interference in Marine Death Investigation Prosecutors allege Yoon ordered changes to the July 2023 inquiry into a Marine conscript who drowned while searching for flood victims without a life vest [1]. The original report blamed a senior Marine commander, but Yoon’s purported intervention sought to exonerate the officer and shield him from accountability [1]. This alleged misuse of presidential authority forms the core of the abuse‑of‑power charge [1].

Parallel Investigations Target Yoon Administration Remnants On Jan. 28, 2026, Unification Minister Chung Dong‑young told a parliamentary committee that an interim report on a North Korean‑alleged drone incursion will be released soon, focusing on “remnants” of Yoon’s administration [2]. The joint military‑police task force identified two drone operators who were temporary contractors at the presidential office in 2022, linking the operation to Yoon’s former staff [2]. The probe examines civilian participation and the possible political motive behind the cross‑border flights [2].

North Korean Missile Launch Heightens Regional Tensions North Korea fired suspected ballistic missiles toward the sea on Jan. 27, 2026, a move analysts tie to Pyongyang’s threats over the disputed drone flights [3]. The launch precedes the Workers’ Party congress, where Kim Jong Un is expected to embed a hostile “two‑state” doctrine into the party charter [3]. Recent hypersonic and strategic cruise missile tests underscore the regime’s effort to showcase advanced weaponry ahead of the political event [3].

Political Fallout and Ongoing Trials Yoon already confronts seven other criminal cases, including an insurrection charge stemming from his brief December 2024 attempt to impose martial law [1]. The drone incursion investigation adds another layer of scrutiny, potentially influencing public and judicial perception of his alleged abuse of power [2]. Together, the pre‑trial hearing, the drone probe, and the broader security environment illustrate the mounting legal and political pressures on the former president [1][2][3].

Sources

Timeline

Nov 28, 2025 – North Korea passes a “city formation and development law,” unveils an AI‑powered weather forecast system, begins building a 500‑ton cruise ship, sees Kim Jong‑un inspect a greenhouse farm, while state media condemn U.S.–South Korea drills and celebrate a women’s football win over Russia, underscoring the regime’s domestic focus amid external tension. [30]

Dec 10, 2025 – The South Korean Defense Ministry dismisses drone‑command chief Kim Yong‑dae and former prosecution chief Kim Dong‑hyuk as part of a special‑counsel probe into the alleged 2024 drone operation meant to justify a martial‑law declaration, signaling a crackdown on officials tied to the plot. [29]

Dec 22, 2025 – Seoul Central District Court schedules a closed‑door hearing to decide whether to extend former President Yoon Suk‑yeol’s pre‑trial detention beyond Jan 18, with prosecutors linking the request to a charge that Yoon ordered a drone launch to Pyongyang in Oct 2024 to create a pretext for martial law. [28]

Dec 23, 2025 – The court holds an arrest‑extension hearing for Yoon, while Yoon publicly denies the drone‑plot allegation, claiming no knowledge of any such operation and citing a phone call with Donald Trump as evidence of his policy stance. [27][26]

Dec 24, 2025 – A judge extends the custody of ex‑defence minister Kim Yong‑hyun and former Defense Counter‑Intelligence head Yeo In‑hyung, adding new charges of aiding the enemy for the Oct 2024 drone dispatch that prosecutors say was intended to provoke North Korea and justify martial law. [25]

Jan 2026 (early) – North Korea conducts hypersonic missile test flights, with Kim Jong‑un stressing the need to “strengthen the nuclear war deterrent,” demonstrating rapid‑strike capability ahead of the party congress. [1]

Jan 9, 2026 – North Korea accuses South Korea of a Jan 4 drone incursion and warns of “countermeasures,” heightening border tensions ahead of the Workers’ Party congress. [24]

Jan 10, 2026 – Pyongyang claims South Korean drones crossed its airspace in September 2025 and on Jan 4, releases debris photos and demands an apology; Seoul’s defence minister Ahn Gyu‑back rejects the allegation, says the drones are civilian, President Lee orders a joint probe, and Kim Yo‑jong warns “the drone from the ROK violated the airspace of our country” and threatens a “high price” for any repeat provocation. [23][22][21][19][20]

Jan 11, 2026 – Kim Yo‑jong issues a KCNA statement demanding Seoul explain the incursions, labels the drones “the most hostile enemy,” and warns that further violations will bring “terrible consequences,” while North Korean officials condemn the alleged incursions as sovereignty breaches and call for a proper response. [19][18]

Jan 12, 2026 – About 30 police and military officials launch a joint investigation into North Korea’s drone claims, and Seoul Central District Court conducts the first closed‑door hearing in Yoon’s trial on charges of aiding the enemy for the Oct 2024 drone dispatch, reflecting parallel legal and security inquiries. [16][17]

Jan 13, 2026 – Kim Yo‑jong publicly demands that Seoul apologize for the drone sovereignty breach, calling Seoul’s peace overtures “a daydream” and warning that “the enemy will pay a price it cannot handle” if provocations recur. [15]

Jan 14, 2026 – North Korea notes Seoul’s denial of military involvement, condemns Japan’s draft of three new security documents as “self‑destruction,” promotes renewable‑energy projects, and announces large youth events ahead of the upcoming Workers’ Party congress, underscoring the regime’s domestic rallying and external messaging. [14]

Jan 18, 2026 – Police question a civilian suspect who built a drone allegedly flown into North Korea; investigators reveal he once worked in former President Yoon’s office and co‑founded a university‑backed drone startup in 2024, linking the case to possible political‑level collusion. [13]

Jan 19, 2026 – The Defense Intelligence Command comes under a joint police‑military probe after reports it may have assisted graduate student Oh in sending a drone to the North, with media alleging Oh received payments for covert intelligence‑related media operations. [12]

Jan 20, 2026 – President Lee orders a thorough probe into the civilian drone case, condemns the alleged flight as “unacceptable,” and South Korean officials announce a 1.9‑trillion‑won Block‑I electronic‑warfare aircraft program while noting an 82.3 % favorable foreign‑image rating, highlighting both security initiatives and soft‑power gains. [10][11][9]

Jan 21, 2026 – Police and military execute search warrants at the homes and offices of three unnamed civilians suspected of flying drones into North Korea, seizing a partially assembled drone and noting that two suspects co‑founded a drone startup and previously worked in the Yoon administration. [7][8]

Jan 23, 2026 – South Korean authorities place three civilians under overseas travel bans as part of the ongoing investigation into alleged cross‑border drone flights, naming graduate student Oh as a suspect who claimed the drones were meant to check radiation at a North Korean uranium site. [2]

Jan 26, 2026 – Graduate student Oh appears before police after publicly stating he piloted drones to North Korea to monitor radiation at a uranium facility; investigators raid six sites, seize a drone, and link Oh and co‑founder Jang to a former presidential‑office role and covert media operations. [6]

Jan 27, 2026 – North Korea launches suspected ballistic missiles toward the sea, a test timed to showcase recent hypersonic and strategic cruise‑missile developments and to reinforce anti‑South sentiment ahead of the Workers’ Party congress, with analysts noting “the launch aims to showcase weapons progress before the congress.” [1]

Feb 3, 2026 – The Seoul Central District Court holds its first pre‑trial hearing for former President Yoon Suk‑yeol on abuse‑of‑power charges related to alleged interference in a 2023 Marine death investigation, with the court noting “Yoon is not required to attend the session.” [5]

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