Seoul: An employee of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and two active-duty military officers have been referred to the prosecution for their alleged involvement in facilitating drone flights into North Korea. This development follows an investigation revealing that the trio assisted a graduate student in flying drones over the border from September to January, an incident that provoked a strong reaction from Pyongyang.

According to Yonhap News Agency, a joint military-police investigation task force identified the NIS employee as having been complicit in acts that benefit the enemy, alongside breaching aviation safety laws. The employee reportedly maintained a decade-long relationship with the graduate student, providing financial assistance amounting to 2.9 million won (approximately US$1,900) to cover drone manufacturing and operational expenses.

Additionally, the task force charged a captain from the Army Special Warfare Command with similar offenses, accusing him of aiding the student by overseeing drone operations and evaluating footage of North Korea to determine its strategic value. This captain's connection to the graduate student was traced back to their shared educational background.

Another military officer, a captain within the Defense Intelligence Command, was also implicated and sent to the military prosecution. He faces charges related to aviation safety violations for his role in acquiring and analyzing the drone footage for potential intelligence purposes.

The task force, having conducted its investigation over 79 days, concluded its operations on Tuesday. Throughout this period, a total of six individuals, including the graduate student and the drone manufacturer, have been referred to the prosecution.