Search and Seizure at Drone Operations Command
'General Treason' Charge Included in Warrant Instead of 'Enticing Foreign Currency'
Kim Keonhee Special Prosecutor Investigates Butler Gate
Kim Beomsoo, Cho Hyunsang, Yoon Changho, and Others Summoned One After Another
On July 14, the special investigation team led by Special Prosecutor Cho Eunseok, which is investigating charges of insurrection, launched a full-scale investigation into the "Pyongyang drone infiltration allegations" by conducting searches and seizures at 24 military-related facilities, including the Drone Operations Command, the Ministry of National Defense, and the Defense Counterintelligence Command. It is reported that the special investigation team included "general treason" charges in the search and seizure warrants. This is interpreted as a strategic move to change the applicable law from the crime of enticing foreign currency?which requires proof of "collusion with a foreign country"?to general treason, thereby opening a path for investigation and prosecution.
Former President Yoon Sukyeol is heading to Seoul Detention Center after completing the second pre-arrest suspect hearing (warrant review) held at Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on July 9, 2025. Photo by Joint Press Corps
Under the Criminal Act, the crime of general treason punishes "anyone who harms the military interests of the Republic of Korea or provides such interests to an enemy state." The special investigation team is reportedly focusing on the fact that the drones used in the operation were not suitable for practical deployment. The team views the decision to proceed with the operation despite knowing that these "substandard" drones could be exposed to North Korea as an act that could harm South Korea's national interests.
In connection with this, former President Yoon reportedly stated during the special investigation team's questioning that "the deployment of drones is not something that is reported to the president. I was not briefed," in response to a question suggesting that he might have sent the drones in anticipation of North Korean retaliation.
Within the legal community, there is considerable opinion that proving the crime of general treason is not an easy task. Although it is relatively easier to prove than the crime of enticing foreign currency, there are few cases in which it has actually been applied or proven. A lawyer who previously served as a military judge commented, "The determination of 'treason' itself can be subjective, so there is significant room for legal dispute."
Meanwhile, the special investigation team led by Kim Keonhee has launched a full-scale investigation into the so-called "Butler Gate." The team has notified Kim Beomsoo, founder of Kakao; Cho Hyunsang, vice chairman of HS Hyosung; Yoon Changho, former president of Korea Securities Finance Corporation; and Kim Ikrae, former chairman of Daou Kiwoom Group, to appear as witnesses for questioning on July 17.
Mr. Kim, who was referred to as Mrs. Kim's butler, received investments in 2023 for the rental car company IMS?which he helped establish?from these companies. The amount reached 18 billion won, and the special investigation team suspects that "Mrs. Kim's influence" may have played a role in securing the investment, given that IMS could not be considered a sound company. The team is also reportedly investigating whether the investment funds actually went to the company.
On July 15, the special investigation team conducted searches and seizures at the Buddhist temple of Geonjinbeopsa in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. The team is investigating the suspicion that Geonjinbeopsa delivered a gift from the Unification Church to Mrs. Kim in 2022.
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