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South Korea Raids Spy Agencies in Widened Probe of Alleged Drone Flights to North Korea

Investigators are testing alleged links between a civilian drone operator plus intelligence staff to determine any official role.

Overview

  • Search-and-seizure operations were conducted at 18 sites, including the National Intelligence Service and the Defense Intelligence Command, as part of the investigation.
  • Officials said three active-duty officers, including a major and two captains, were booked as suspects over possible involvement in the cross-border flights.
  • Authorities are examining financial records after identifying an NIS employee who allegedly exchanged large sums with a civilian suspect surnamed Oh.
  • The NIS said an internal inspection found no institutional tie to the flights, while the task force said it will analyze seized materials to establish the facts.
  • Prosecutors have charged three civilians, one of whom claims he flew drones to check radiation near Pyongsan, as North Korea maintains it shot down a South Korean drone near Kaesong and as ex-president Yoon faces trial over separate 2024 drone allegations.