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Korea Herald
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
From drone flights to Marine's death, special probes turn sights on military
South Korea's military leadership — including the former defense minister and senior commanders — has emerged as a central focus in two of three special counsel investigations currently underway. The twin probes focus on alleged illegal drone operations over Pyongyang tied to former President Yoon Suk Yeol's suspected attempt to manufacture a justification for declaring martial law and the 2023 death of a young Marine, in which Yoon is accused of abusing his power to obstruct the initial investigation. The special counsel team led by Cho Eun-suk is continuing its investigation into Yoon's alleged martial law scheme, focusing on Maj. Gen. Kim Yong-dae, head of the military's Drone Operations Command. The probe stems from internal military testimony claiming that Yoon directly ordered Kim to carry out the Pyongyang drone operation, bypassing the official chain of command, including the Ministry of National Defense and Joint Chiefs of Staff. The drone commander has been accused of fabricating an official document to conceal the drone operation over North Korea and ordering subordinates to send the drones without approval from the United Nations Command. According to the special counsel team, military records reported the operation of two drones on Oct. 15, 2024. However, investigators found that only one drone was actually deployed, while the other was listed as lost. The team suspects records were manipulated to make it appear that both drones flew on that day — concealing that one had already crashed in Pyongyang on Oct. 9, six days earlier. After special counsel questioning on July 17, the drone commander explained that 'it was impossible to document everything accurately about the classified military operation,' adding that the issue arose from 'administrative shortcomings.' Investigators are now examining whether former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun also played a role in influencing the drone unit's actions. They are also looking into whether Kim carried out an unauthorized drone operation over Pyongyang in October 2024 at Yoon's direction, aimed at provoking North Korea and justifying a martial law declaration. Another special counsel team — led by Lee Myeong-hyeon and tasked with revisiting the death of Cpl. Chae Su-geun — has submitted its first arrest warrant request to the Seoul Central District Court. The team is seeking to detain former Marine Corps Commandant Lt. Gen. Kim Kye-hwan on charges of instigating malicious perjury and violating the Act on Testimony and Appraisal before the National Assembly. Kim has been identified as the person who allegedly told Col. Park Jeong-hoon — the Marine investigator initially in charge of Chae's case — that Yoon was furious after seeing the first investigation report. Since Park publicly made that claim in 2023, Kim has consistently denied ever relaying such a message. Kim has maintained his position in multiple testimonies before the National Assembly and military court, accusing Park of damaging the Marine Corps' legacy due to what he called 'hero syndrome.' Despite the special counsel team securing testimonies from others who said Yoon had expressed his anger during meetings with military officials, Kim reportedly continued to deny the allegation in recent rounds of questioning. Then-Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup also submitted a written statement to the special counsel, as disclosed Monday, testifying that he received a call from Yoon on July 31, 2023. Though Lee was set to transfer Marine Corps investigation records to police, he reportedly received a call from the number "800-7070" and decided not only to suspend a press briefing, but also to hold off on transferring the case. It was revealed that the phone number was used by the presidential office. Having previously refused to comment on the identity of the caller, Lee admitted nearly two years later that it was Yoon on the other side, seeking to clarify that the then-president did not express anger or try to interfere with the investigation, but only shared his concerns. Lee has been identified as a co-conspirator on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of the exercise of rights in the search and seizure warrant executed against him.
Korea Herald
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
From Pyongyang drones to Marine's death, special probes zero in on military
South Korea's military leadership — including the former defense minister and senior commanders — has emerged as a central focus in two of the three special counsel investigations currently underway. The twin probes focus on alleged illegal drone operations over Pyongyang — tied to former President Yoon Suk Yeol's suspected attempt to manufacture a justification for declaring martial law — and the 2023 death of a young Marine, in which Yoon is accused of abusing his power to obstruct the initial investigation. The special counsel team led by Cho Eun-suk is continuing its investigation into former President Yoon's alleged martial law scheme, focusing on Maj. Gen. Kim Yong-dae, head of the military's Drone Operations Command. The probe stems from internal military testimony claiming that Yoon directly ordered Kim to carry out the Pyongyang drone operation, bypassing the official chain of command, including the Ministry of National Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The drone commander has been accused of fabricating an official document to conceal the drone operation over North Korea and of ordering his subordinates to send the drones without approval from the United Nations Command. According to the special counsel team, military records reported the operation of two drones on Oct. 15, 2024. However, investigators found that only one drone was actually deployed, while the other was listed as lost. The team suspects the records were manipulated to make it appear that both drones flew on that day — concealing the fact that one had already crashed in Pyongyang on Oct. 9, six days earlier. After the special counsel questioning on July 17, the drone commander explained that 'it was impossible to document everything accurately about the classified military operation,' adding that the issue arose from 'administrative shortcomings.' Investigators are now examining whether former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun also played a role in influencing the drone unit's actions. They are also looking into whether Kim carried out an unauthorized drone operation over Pyongyang in October 2024 at Yoon's direction, aimed at provoking North Korea and justifying a martial law declaration. Another special counsel — led by Lee Myeong-hyeon and tasked with revisiting the death of Cpl. Chae Su-geun — has submitted its first arrest warrant request to the Seoul Central District Court. The team is seeking to detain former Marine Corps Commandant Lt. Gen. Kim Kye-hwan on charges of instigating malicious perjury and violating the Act on Testimony and Appraisal before the National Assembly. Kim has been identified as the person who allegedly told Col. Park Jeong-hoon — the Marine investigator initially in charge of the Chae Su-geun case — that Yoon was furious after seeing the first investigation report. Since Park publicly made that claim in 2023, Kim has consistently denied ever relaying such a message. Kim has maintained his position in multiple testimonies before the National Assembly and military court, accusing Park of damaging the Marine Corps' legacy due to a so-called 'hero syndrome.' Despite the special counsel team securing testimonies from others who said Yoon did express anger during meetings with military officials, Kim reportedly continued to deny the allegation in recent questioning. Then-Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup also submitted a written statement to the special counsel, testifying that he received a call from Yoon on July 31, 2023. Though Lee was set to transfer Marine Corps' investigation records to the police, he reportedly received a call from the number "800-7070" and decided not only to suspend a press briefing, but also to hold off on transferring the case. It was revealed that the phone number was used by the presidential office. But Lee admitted that the caller was Yoon after two years, adding that Yoon did not express anger or try to interfere with the investigation, but only shared his concerns. Lee has been identified as a co-conspirator on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of the exercise of rights in the search and seizure warrant executed against him.
Straits Times
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
South Korea court rejects arrest warrant for drone chief over operation in North Korea, Yonhap says
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Maj. Gen. Kim Yong-dae, chief of the Drone Operations Command, speaks to reporters upon arrival at the Seoul High Prosecutors Office on July 17. SEOUL - A South Korean court rejected prosecutors' request to issue an arrest warrant for the head of a military drone unit as part of an investigation into former President Yoon Suk Yeol and drone operations in North Korea, Yonhap news agency said on July 21. The Seoul Central District Court dismissed the special counsel's request, saying the arrest would 'excessively limit the suspect's right to defence', Yonhap reported. South Korean prosecutors on July 20 said they had sought court approval to detain the drone unit's chief Kim Yong-dae after indicting the jailed ex-President Yoon on July 19 on additional charges related to his short-lived declaration of martial law in December. Mr Kim was arrested on July 18 without a court warrant, media said. Prosecutors and police are permitted to make an 'emergency arrest' if they have a strong belief someone is guilty of a serious crime and may flee or destroy evidence. Prosecutors summoned Mr Kim last week regarding accusations that Yoon ordered a covert drone operation into the North in 2024 to inflame tensions between the neighbours and justify his martial law decree. Mr Kim told reporters the incident was part of a 'clandestine military operation' in response to trash balloons sent from the North and not intended to provoke the neighbouring nation. In October, North Korea said the South had sent drones to scatter anti-North Korea leaflets over Pyongyang, and published photos of the remains of a crashed South Korean military drone. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia At least 19 killed as Bangladesh air force plane crashes into college campus Singapore Subsidies and grants for some 20,000 people miscalculated due to processing issue: MOH Singapore 2 workers stranded on gondola dangling outside Raffles City Tower rescued by SCDF Business Why Singapore and its businesses stand to lose with US tariffs on the region Singapore NTU introduces compulsory cadaver dissection classes for medical students from 2026 Singapore Fine, driving ban for bus driver who hit lorry in BKE crash, causing fractures to passenger Singapore Jail for man who conspired with another to bribe MOH agency employee with $18k Paris trip Singapore New research institute will grow S'pore's talent in nuclear energy, safety South Korea at the time declined to disclose whether it had sent the drones. REUTERS
The Hindu
20-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
South Korean prosecutors seek drone chief arrest over operation in North Korea
South Korean prosecutors on Sunday (July 20, 2025) said they have requested court approval to detain the head of the military drone unit as part of a probe into former President Yoon Suk Yeol and drone operations in North Korea. The special counsel team last week summoned the chief of the Drone Operations Command, Kim Yong-dae, over allegations that Yoon ordered a covert drone operation into the North last year to inflame tension between the neighbours to justify his martial law decree. The impeached Yoon has denied the allegations. On Friday (July 18), Mr. Kim told reporters that the incident was part of a "clandestine military operation" in response to the trash balloons from the North and not to provoke the neighbour. In October, North Korea said the South had sent drones to scatter anti-North Korea leaflets over Pyongyang, and published photos of the remains of a crashed South Korean military drone. South Korea at the time declined to disclose whether it had sent the drones. Mr. Kim was arrested on Friday without a court warrant, local media reported. Prosecutors and police are permitted to conduct an "emergency arrest" if they have a strong belief that someone is guilty of a serious crime and that there is a risk that the individual might flee or destroy evidence. Prosecutors stepped up investigations into the drone operation after indicting the jailed ex-President Yoon on additional charges for his short-lived declaration of martial law in December.
CNA
20-07-2025
- Politics
- CNA
South Korean prosecutors seek drone chief arrest over operation in North Korea
SEOUL: South Korean prosecutors on Sunday (Jul 20) said they have requested court approval to detain the head of the military drone unit as part of a probe into former President Yoon Suk Yeol and drone operations in North Korea. The special counsel team last week summoned the chief of the Drone Operations Command, Kim Yong-dae, over allegations that Yoon ordered a covert drone operation into the North last year to inflame tension between the neighbours to justify his martial law decree. The impeached Yoon has denied the allegations. On Friday, Kim told reporters that the incident was part of a "clandestine military operation" in response to trash balloons from the North and not to provoke the neighbour. In October, North Korea said the South had sent drones to scatter anti-North Korea leaflets over Pyongyang, and published photos of the remains of a crashed South Korean military drone. South Korea at the time declined to disclose whether it had sent the drones. Kim was arrested on Friday without a court warrant, local media reported. Prosecutors and police are permitted to conduct an "emergency arrest" if they have a strong belief that someone is guilty of a serious crime and that there is a risk that the individual might flee or destroy evidence. Prosecutors stepped up investigations into the drone operation after indicting the jailed ex-President Yoon on additional charges for his short-lived declaration of martial law in December.
