Seoul: The defense ministry announced on Thursday the suspension of the Joint Chiefs of Staff's (JCS) head of operations, Lt. Gen. Lee Seung-oh, due to his alleged involvement in deploying military drones to North Korea last year. This action was reportedly part of preparations for former President Yoon Suk Yeol's potential imposition of martial law.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the suspension of Lt. Gen. Lee Seung-oh was prompted by an ongoing investigation by a special counsel team led by Cho Eun-suk. The team listed Lee as a suspect following raids on his residence and office last week. The investigation centers on suspicions that the JCS sent drones to Pyongyang in October last year, allegedly aiming to provoke a retaliatory response from North Korea, which could be used to justify the imposition of martial law.

Lee reportedly admitted to dispatching drones to North Korea on three occasions in October, following orders from the then Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun. As the investigation progresses, the defense ministry has placed Lee on suspension to ensure the integrity of the inquiry.