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Investigators seek arrest warrant for student linked to North Korea drone flights

Published: 20 Feb. 2026, 19:05

A warning sign informs visitors that the area is a no-drone zone in a border area of Paju, Gyeonggi, on Jan. 11 as North Korea claims that South Korean drones infiltrated its territory. [YONHAP]

Investigators said Friday they have requested an arrest warrant for a graduate student allegedly behind recent drone flights to North Korea.

The suspect, a student in their 30s, has sent drones to North Korea four times to test their performance with the aim of making a profit from a drone business, according to the police.

The drones were set up to depart from Ganghwa Island in Incheon and fly over North Korea's Kaesong and Pyongsan before returning to Paju, Gyeonggi, they said.

A military-police task force investigating the case sought the arrest warrant Thursday on charges of benefiting the enemy and violating aviation safety and military installation laws.

The task force cited concerns that the suspect may destroy evidence.

"[The flights] created tension between South and North Korea, putting the people of the Republic of Korea in danger," it said. "We determined that it harmed our military interests, such as by exposing our military's affairs and leading to a change in our readiness posture."

The task force has been investigating seven people, including the suspect in connection with the drone flights, including people allegedly involved in the aircraft's production and military and spy agency officials.

The joint investigation was launched in January after North Korea claimed South Korea infringed on its sovereignty with drone incursions in September and on Jan. 4.

Yonhap