South Korea Suspends Drone Commander Over Unauthorized Flights Into North Korea

South Korea's Ministry of Defence has suspended Major General Kim Yong-dae, head of the Drone Operations Command, amid allegations that he illegally dispatched military drones into North Korea last year without authorization. The drone flights are suspected to have been part of a scheme allegedly ordered by then-President Yoon Suk-yeol to provoke a military response from North Korea to justify imposing martial law, which ultimately failed. Kim denies any wrongdoing, asserting that the drone operations were legally conducted under orders from the Joint Chiefs of Staff as a response to North Korean provocations. A special counsel team sought an arrest warrant for Kim on charges including forging official documents and benefiting the enemy, but the Seoul Central District Court rejected the warrant request, citing concerns over defense rights. The investigation continues as Kim remains in custody, and the case highlights controversy surrounding Yoon's attempted martial law declaration. The allegations have intensified scrutiny on South Korea's military decision-making and political maneuvers last year.