Seoul Court Sentences Yoon for Drone Incursion Over North Korea in Latest Conviction for Ex-President

Friday’s ruling marks the third conviction for Yoon, who is facing eight trials in relation to his failed installment of martial law in December 2024.

South Korea's ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol, who is facing charges of orchestrating a rebellion when he declared martial law on Dec. 3, 2024, arrives for his trial at the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul, South Korea, on May 12, 2025. Ahn Young-joon, Pool/AP Photo

A Seoul court has sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to 30 years in prison after finding him guilty of ordering the flying of drones over North Korea in October 2024 to provoke the regime and manufacture a security crisis to use as a pretext for his Dec. 3, 2024, declaration of martial law.

Seoul Central District Court on June 12 convicted Yoon on charges of benefiting the enemy and abuse of power, according to the Yonhap News Agency.