Investigators raided South Korea's National Intelligence Service and Defense Intelligence Command on Tuesday, booking three military officers as suspects in alleged drone flights to North Korea. North Korea claimed sovereignty violations from incursions in September 2025 and January 4, 2026. The probe, launched last month, also targets three civilians on charges of aviation safety violations and benefiting the enemy.
On Tuesday, a joint team of police and military investigators conducted searches and seizures at South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS), the Defense Intelligence Command, and 16 other locations, including suspects' homes and offices, as part of a probe into alleged drone flights to North Korea. The investigation stems from North Korea's claims of sovereignty infringements via drone incursions on September 27, 2025, and January 4, 2026.
The three active-duty officers, including a major and a captain from the intelligence unit, were booked as suspects for their alleged involvement in the flights. The probe initially focused on three civilians, including a graduate student in his 30s surnamed Oh who claimed responsibility, before uncovering his ties to a media company operating as a front for the unit's intelligence activities. Investigators also identified an NIS employee who exchanged hundreds of millions of won with Oh, though an internal NIS inspection last month failed to link the funds to the drones.
The three civilians face charges of violating the aviation safety law and benefiting the enemy. This case highlights internal oversight issues in South Korea's intelligence agencies amid heightened inter-Korean tensions, with further developments expected based on the ongoing investigation.
