South Korea Raids Homes of Suspects in Alleged Drone Flights Into North Korea
The operation advances an inquiry into alleged military-intelligence links to a civilian who claims he flew UAVs across the border.
Overview
- A joint police–military team executed search and seizure warrants at the homes and offices of three civilians suspected of sending drones into North Korea, according to Yonhap.
- Police said warrants began being issued from 8 a.m. local time under a Flight Safety Act investigation, with one civilian previously questioned last Friday.
- The Defense Ministry has opened a review of reporting that a 30-year-old who claimed the flights received support from defense intelligence and used small companies for assignments, allegations still under investigation.
- President Lee Jae-myung criticized surveillance failures, called civilian drone launches into the North unacceptable, and ordered a thorough probe with strict penalties for any violations.
- North Korea has asserted incursions on Sept. 27, 2025, and Jan. 4, 2026, which the South Korean military denies, while independent experts said images of a recovered UAV appeared consistent with an amateur craft.