South Korea's political turmoil deepened on Friday after former president Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to 30 years in prison over a covert drone operation that prosecutors said was designed to provoke North Korea and justify the declaration of martial law in late 2024.
The ruling by the Seoul Central District Court marks another dramatic chapter in the downfall of the former conservative leader, who was once South Korea's chief prosecutor and one of the country's most powerful political figures. Already serving a life sentence for leading an insurrection linked to his failed martial law bid, Yoon now faces decades more behind bars after being found guilty of offences including abuse of power and aiding the enemy.
