South Korea's special counsel took a bold step on Monday, raiding the Drone Operations Command (DOC) and the Ministry of Defense as part of a widening probe into former president Yoon Suk-yeol. The investigation, which began as an insurrection case over Yoon's failed attempt to impose martial law, is now examining potential treason charges linked to a secret drone operation.
Yoon is currently standing trial for insurrection after the National Assembly blocked his December 3 martial law declaration. According to Yonhap News, investigators suspect Yoon ordered senior military officials to send drones to the DPRK last October. The alleged plan: provoke the North to justify imposing martial law.
The special counsel's team believes those drone flights were a strategic move to create a pretext for the crackdown. If proven, prosecutors could upgrade the charges against Yoon from insurrection to treason—a shift that carries far more severe penalties.
As the case unfolds, observers are watching closely. From the halls of Seoul to digital forums around the world, young global citizens, tech enthusiasts, and changemakers are debating what this means for democracy, military oversight, and the balance of power in the ROK. The next hearings are expected later this month, when more details may come to light.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
