Investigation suggests Yoon Suk‑yeol used aerial provocations to justify a brief emergency rule

The Special Counsel’s Office has released a report alleging that former South Korean President Yoon Suk‑yeol orchestrated a series of drone flights over the North Korean border in an effort to heighten military tensions. According to the investigation, the operation was designed to create a pretext for imposing a short‑lived martial‑law decree in December of last year.

Authorities say the drones, equipped with surveillance equipment, were launched from undisclosed locations in the southern provinces. Their presence was publicized through state‑controlled media, which portrayed the incursions as aggressive moves by the North, prompting a rapid escalation in rhetoric from the South’s defense establishment.

In the weeks leading up to the declaration of martial law, Yoon’s administration faced mounting criticism over economic instability and rising public discontent. The report argues that the president saw a heightened security threat as a way to rally nationalist support and consolidate power, even if only temporarily.

Critics have condemned the alleged strategy as a manipulation of national security for political gain. “Using false alarms to justify authoritarian measures is a betrayal of democratic principles,” said Lee Min‑ho, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute for Democracy.

The Special Counsel’s findings also detail internal communications that suggest senior officials were aware of the plan but remained silent, fearing repercussions. The report recommends a thorough parliamentary inquiry and potential legal action against those involved.

While Yoon has denied any wrongdoing, stating that “all measures were taken in the nation’s best interest,” the revelations have reignited debates over civil liberties, military oversight, and the limits of executive power in South Korea.