In the latest development of the probe into alleged drone flights into North Korea, a joint police and military team imposed travel bans on January 23 on three civilian suspects, following raids earlier in the week. The action targets the same individuals linked to incursions claimed by Pyongyang in September 2025 and January 4, 2026, amid South Korea's denial of military involvement.
The travel bans were placed on the three suspects—a graduate student surnamed Oh who claimed responsibility for the flights, an individual surnamed Jang suspected of building the drones, and a third linked to their drone manufacturing company—sources said on Friday.
This escalates the joint investigation launched last week after North Korea accused South Korea of sovereignty violations via drone incursions. South Korea's military maintains it does not operate the drone models shown by Pyongyang. One drone reportedly photographed a South Korean Marine Corps base after launching from Ganghwa County near Seoul.
Investigators aim to charge the suspects under the Aviation Safety Act and Protection of Military Bases and Installations Act. The probe intensified after Oh's media interview claiming the flights matched Pyongyang's dates. It has since expanded with revelations of the suspects' prior work at former President Yoon Suk Yeol's presidential office and allegations tying Oh to online news outlets connected to a military intelligence official.
The Defense Intelligence Command confirmed the outlets issued fake IDs for agents but has not linked officials to the drone activities, per a briefing to Rep. Boo Seung-chan. This adds layers to inter-Korean tensions and domestic security scrutiny.
