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South Korean Probe Zeroes In on Former Yoon Officials Over Alleged Drone Incursions

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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
  • 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

North Korea Accuses Seoul of Two Drone Incursions North Korea’s military announced that unmanned aircraft launched from South Korea crossed the border in September 2025 and again on 4 January 2026, claiming the drones violated its sovereignty [1][3][4]. Seoul’s defense ministry denied any state‑run flights and said it does not operate the drone models cited [5][6]. The accusations prompted a joint police‑military investigation launched in early January 2026 [8].

Joint Police‑Military Probe Expands to Civilian Suspects Investigators raided homes and offices of three civilians—graduate student Oh, drone builder Jang, and a third associate—serving search and seizure warrants on 21 January 2026 [8][5][6]. Travel bans were imposed on all three, preventing them from leaving South Korea, and authorities seized a partially assembled drone and an unidentified object from a university lab [5][6]. Prosecutors plan to charge the trio under the Aviation Safety Act and the Protection of Military Bases and Installations Act for operating the aircraft and photographing a Marine Corps base as it crossed the border [5][6].

Investigation Targets Former Yoon Administration Connections Unification Minister Chung Dong‑young announced that interim findings will focus on “remnants of the insurrection forces” linked to former President Yoon Suk‑yeol, who is currently on trial for declaring martial law [1]. investigators identified two men who built and flew the drones as temporary contractors at the presidential office in 2022, suggesting possible misuse of government‑linked personnel [1][3]. The probe therefore examines whether Yoon‑era officials facilitated the flights, adding a political dimension to the security case [1].

North Korean Missile Launch Precedes Party Congress On 27 January 2026, North Korea fired suspected ballistic missiles toward the sea, a move interpreted by analysts as a showcase of missile progress ahead of the Workers’ Party congress slated for late January or February [2]. The launch followed Pyongyang’s threats over the alleged South Korean drone flights, linking the missile test to a broader effort to heighten anti‑South sentiment before the congress [2]. Earlier in the month, the regime also tested hypersonic missiles and unveiled a nuclear‑powered submarine prototype, underscoring an accelerated weapons‑development push [2].

Discrepancies Remain Over Drone Ownership and Intent Oh publicly claimed the drones were sent to monitor radiation at a North Korean uranium site, a justification scrutinized because of his reported ties to a military‑intelligence‑linked media operation [3][4]. South Korean officials maintain that no state agency operated the drones, yet the Defense Intelligence Command confirmed Oh’s involvement in covert media outlets, leaving open the question of intelligence‑official participation [3][4]. The investigation thus balances competing narratives: civilian‑led surveillance versus potential covert state involvement [3][4].

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Timeline

Sept 27, 2025 – North Korea claims a South Korean drone launched from Paju penetrates its airspace, is struck by electronic warfare, and crashes in Jangphung County, Kaesong, presenting photos as evidence and warning Seoul of “dear” consequences [22][25][24][29][30].

Oct–Nov 2024 – Internal South Korean military documents reveal 59 frontline drone‑unit troops dispatch 18 drones on 11 occasions, dropping anti‑Pyongyang leaflets over the North to create a pretext for a later martial‑law bid; the plan remains undisclosed to allies [13].

Dec 2025 – North Korea test‑fires long‑range strategic cruise missiles, new anti‑air missiles and showcases construction of its first nuclear‑powered submarine, underscoring a broader weapons‑development push ahead of the upcoming party congress [1].

Jan 4, 2026 – Pyongyang announces it downed a South Korean drone over Ganghwa County, describing it as equipped with surveillance gear that flew 156 km for over three hours before being forced to crash near Muksan‑ri, Kaesong, and accuses Seoul of violating its sovereignty [22][25][24][12][15][16][18][19][21][28][29][30].

Jan 10, 2026 – South Korea’s Defense Minister Ahn Gyu‑back publicly rejects North Korea’s drone‑incursion claims as “absolutely not true,” says the drones do not match SK military models, and notes no SK units conducted flights on the cited dates; President Lee Jae Myung orders a thorough joint military‑police probe and signals openness to a joint investigation [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][20][17][18][19].

Jan 11, 2026 – Kim Yo‑jong demands a detailed explanation and apology from Seoul for the alleged drone violations, calls the South “warmongers,” and warns of “unbearable consequences” if provocations continue [14][16][17][18].

Jan 12, 2026 – South Korean officials stress the drones shown by the North do not correspond to any military models, reiterate no intent to provoke, and pledge a prompt joint probe; editorial voices call for tighter civilian‑drone regulations [15].

Jan 13, 2026 – Kim Yo‑jong reiterates the demand for a South Korean apology, framing the drone incidents as sovereignty breaches and urging Seoul to prevent recurrence [14].

Jan 15, 2026 – A leaked internal report confirms the 2024 leaf‑letting drone operation, linking it to a covert plan to justify martial‑law ambitions and noting the removal of Defense Counterintelligence chief Yeo In‑hyung and indictment of former President Yoon Suk‑yeol for aiding the enemy [13].

Jan 16, 2026 – North Korea notes Seoul’s denial of military involvement, condemns Japan’s new security documents, promotes renewable‑energy projects, and announces large youth‑league events ahead of the Workers’ Party congress [12].

Jan 20, 2026 – President Lee orders the drone probe’s swift completion; a 2025 foreign‑image survey shows 82.3 % favorable views of South Korea; the government launches a 1.9‑trillion‑won Block‑I electronic‑warfare aircraft program and signals readiness for a joint investigation [11][20].

Jan 21, 2026 – Joint police‑military teams raid the homes and offices of three civilian drone suspects, seizing a partially assembled drone and related equipment, while investigators question one suspect and note the suspects’ ties to a university‑backed startup and former presidential‑office contracts [8][9][10].

Jan 23, 2026 – South Korea places travel bans on three civilians—including graduate student Oh and co‑founder Jang—linked to the alleged drone flights, citing possible civilian involvement and connections to a 2022 Yoon‑administration drone‑maker [2][7].

Jan 26, 2026 – Graduate student Oh appears before police after publicly claiming he piloted drones to a North Korean uranium site to check radiation, prompting further questioning of him and co‑suspect Jang under aviation‑safety and military‑base protection statutes [6].

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 and to reinforce anti‑South sentiment amid drone accusations [1].

Jan 28, 2026 – Unification Minister Chung Dong‑young announces that interim findings of the joint drone‑probe will be released soon, highlighting investigations into possible involvement of former Yoon‑administration “remnants” and naming two former presidential‑office contractors as suspects [5].

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