South Korea’s Special Counsel Raids Sites Over Yoon’s Alleged Plot to Provoke North Korea

SEOUL – South Korea’s special counsel raided multiple sites Monday as part of an escalating investigation into former President Yoon Suk Yeol, now facing treason charges linked to an alleged covert drone operation intended to provoke North Korea and justify his failed martial law decree last December, local media reported.

According to Yonhap News Agency, authorities searched 24 locations, including the Drone Operations Command (DOC), the Ministry of Defense, and the Defense Counterintelligence Command, as well as the National Security Office and the residence of Maj. Gen. Kim Yong-dae, head of the drone command. The investigation centers on allegations that Yoon ordered drones to fly into North Korean airspace in October 2024, aiming to trigger a military response that would legitimize his imposition of martial law.

The probe, initially focused on insurrection, has now expanded to include treason, with investigators reportedly obtaining a recording in which a military officer claims Yoon directly instructed the drone unit to carry out the mission. Authorities are also examining whether the military engaged in a cover-up of the operation and whether a drone was intentionally modified to carry anti-North Korea propaganda leaflets, despite the high risk of detection and retaliation.

In October, North Korea reported recovering a crashed drone carrying such leaflets and warned of retaliation if such incursions continued.