The military-police joint investigation task force (TF) currently investigating the North Korean drone incursion case has applied for an arrest warrant for a graduate student in his 30s, a person surnamed Oh, who claimed to have flown a drone.
The TF said on the 20th that on the 19th it applied to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office for an arrest warrant for Oh on charges of general aiding the enemy under the Criminal Act, violating the Aviation Safety Act, and violating the Military Bases and Installations Protection Act. Prosecutors sought an arrest warrant from the court the same day.
Oh is suspected of test-flying a drone a total of four times, set to depart from Ganghwa Island in Incheon, pass through Kaesong City and Pyeongsan County in North Korea, and return to Paju, Gyeonggi Province. The TF believes Oh committed the offenses to gain economic profit through a drone business.
Earlier, North Korea, through a statement by the Spokesperson of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army, claimed that South Korea infiltrated drones in September last year and in January this year. In media interviews, Oh claimed he sent the drones to check radiation contamination levels.
A TF official said, "We will continue the investigation into other civilian suspects besides Oh and will also uncover the facts regarding whether military and National Intelligence Service (NIS) officials were involved." The TF has also booked three soldiers who had contact with Oh and one NIS employee on charges including violating the Aviation Safety Act.