Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been sentenced to 30 years in prison. The Seoul Central District Court delivered the sentence on Friday, accusing him of orchestrating drone flights over North Korea as part of a case involving his declaration of martial law.

Yoon, aged 65, was sentenced together with the former Defense Minister, Kim Yong Hyun. Previously, Yoon received a life sentence for leading an insurrection linked to his martial law declaration in December 2024. Reports stated that North Korea had accused South Korea of using drones to disseminate propaganda leaflets over Pyongyang in October 2024.

“South Korean lawmakers supported suspending the president’s powers after the brief declaration of martial law,” according to local reports.

Yoon attended an impeachment trial hearing at the Constitutional Court in February 2025. During this time, the Defense Ministry gave a non-committal response to North Korea’s allegations. Although tensions between the two Koreas increased, no military conflict resulted from the drone flights.

Prosecutors alleged that Yoon devised a crisis with North Korea as part of an authoritarian scheme to oust political rivals. Supporters of Yoon held a rally outside the Seoul High Court in April 2026, asserting his innocence.

Before the martial law declaration, Yoon delivered a televised speech accusing liberal lawmakers of North Korean sympathy. He contended he had the constitutional right to declare martial law and intended to highlight what he perceived as opposition obstruction.

Yoon’s martial law imposition lasted six hours before a legislative vote overturned it amid widespread protests. Arrested in July 2025, Yoon continues to face several criminal charges. Both Yoon and prosecutors have appealed the insurrection verdict, with prosecutors initially seeking the death penalty.