South Korean investigators ban 3 suspects from leaving country over alleged drone flights to North Korea

By Anadolu staff

ISTANBUL (AA) - South Korean investigators have imposed travel bans on three suspects for their involvement in alleged drone flights to longtime rival North Korea, Yonhap News on Friday, reported citing sources.

The suspects are accused of flying a drone bound for North Korea from Ganghwa County, just west of Seoul in September 2025 and January this year.

The accused include a graduate student, surnamed Oh, in his 30s, who claimed to have flown the drones, while another individual, surnamed Jang, is suspected of building them.

A third accused known to have worked at a drone manufacturing company set up by the other two.

A joint investigation comprising police and military investigators was launched last week after North Korea claimed South Korea infringed on its sovereignty with drone incursions in September and on Jan. 4.

South Korea's military has denied involvement, saying it does not operate the drone models in question.

Investigation was stepped up after Oh claimed to have sent the drones to North Korea on the dates alleged by Pyongyang in a media interview aired last Friday.

Investigators have widened the probe following revelations that Oh and Jang worked at the presidential office under ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Last week, Yoon was sentenced to five years in prison on charges he obstructed investigators' attempt to detain him last year.

It marked Yoon's first sentencing in eight cases he is standing trial on, including over charges he led an insurrection through his December 2024 martial law declaration.