Yoon Suk Yeol Denies Sending Drones to North Korea as Pretext for Martial Law

SEOUL – Former South Korean PresidentYoon Suk Yeolon Tuesday personally denied allegations that he orchestrated a drone incursion intoNorth Koreato create a pretext for his failed attempt to impose martial law. According to Yonhap news agency,Yooncited a phone call with then U.S. President-electDonald Trumpto support his defense during a closed-door court hearing on whether to extend his arrest.

The hearing was held to decide on a request from Special CounselLee Jae-myung’s team to keepYoonin custody. The former president faces charges of benefiting the enemy and abuse of power for allegedly deploying drones to Pyongyang inOctober 2024. Prosecutors claim this operation was designed to provoke a retaliation from the North, which would then be used as a justification for theDecember 3}, martial law declaration.

Yoon reportedly countered that the charge cannot hold, as he was never briefed on any drone operation and argued that such an action would not have occurred without his knowledge. He brought up his 10-minute phone conversation withTrumpinNovember 2024, stating he told the U.S. president-elect that his government was committed to a policy of "strategic patience" regardingNorth Korea's trash-balloon provocations, a stance he would maintain unless there were casualties. This narrative directly contradicts the prosecution's claim that he was actively trying to incite a conflict.

The special counsel, however, argued that Yoon must remain in custody given the gravity of the alleged crimes and the risks of him destroying evidence or fleeing. The prosecution team also expressed concern that releasing a former president with significant political influence could allow him to pressure alleged accomplices and unduly impact the trial.

The ousted president has been held sinceDecember 18on separate charges of obstructing justice. His current six-month arrest warrant is set to expire onJanuary 6. The court has requested both sides to submit additional written arguments by next Tuesday, after which a decision on the extension is expected. If granted,Yooncould be jailed for up to six more months. A verdict on the obstruction of justice charge is scheduled to be delivered onJanuary 6.