OUSTED right-wing former South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol was hit with more criminal charges today as prosecutors allege that he flew drones over North Korea in a deliberate bid to stoke tensions and justify his plans to declare martial law.

Mr Yoon set off the most serious political crisis in South Korea’s recent history when he imposed martial law on December 3, 2024 and sent troops to surround the National Assembly. 

He was later impeached and removed from office and is in jail standing trial on charges including masterminding a rebellion.

His successor, President Lee Jae Myung, approved legislation that launched independent investigations into Mr Yoon’s martial law stunt and other criminal allegations involving his wife and administration.

Today, Mr Yoon and two of his top defence officials, Kim Yong Hyun and Yeo In-hyung, were charged with benefitting the enemy and committing abuse of power over their alleged drone flights, which happened about two months before the declaration of martial law.

North Korea accused Seoul of flying drones over Pyongyang, the North’s capital, to drop propaganda leaflets three times in October 2024. 

There were no immediate public responses from either Mr Yoon or his two former officials. But in July, Mr Yoon’s defence team said that Mr Yoon had maintained he wasn’t informed of the drone flights.