Seoul: A civilian suspect accused of manufacturing a drone that was allegedly flown into North Korea had previously been employed at the presidential office during the tenure of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, sources revealed.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the individual, a man in his 30s, was interrogated on Friday by a joint military-police investigation team. During his time at the presidential office, he monitored news reports under the spokesperson's office. Sources familiar with the investigation noted that the suspect worked alongside another man, also in his 30s, who has claimed responsibility for flying the drone into North Korea.

The suspect, who is accused of constructing the drone, was referred to prosecutors last November for allegedly breaching aviation security regulations. This was in connection with flying an unregistered drone near Yeoju, south of Seoul. The drone used in that incident reportedly matches the one allegedly sent to North Korea.

The two men involved were reportedly alumni of the same university in Seoul, where they co-founded a drone manufacturing startup in 2024 with university support. They were also instrumental in organizing a youth organization focused on unification in 2020.

The man being investigated for the alleged drone flight has claimed that the suspect created the drone at his request but was not involved in its operation. Police are actively probing the case's motives and circumstances, including suspicions that the two men may have colluded in operating the drone, officials stated.

Earlier this month, North Korea accused South Korea of infringing on its sovereignty with drone incursions in September last year and on January 4. Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, demanded that Seoul admit to and apologize for these incidents. However, South Korea's military has denied these allegations, asserting that the drones in question were not operated by the military.