The joint investigation task force consisting of military and police officials is seeking to secure the custody of a 30-year-old graduate student, identified as O, who is accused of violating South Korean laws by launching drones across the border into North Korea. On the 20th, the task force announced that it had filed a pre-arrest warrant against O for violating the fundamental betrayal law, the aviation safety law, and the military base law. O worked as an executive at a drone manufacturing company and allegedly tested the performance of the drones on four occasions, flying them from Ganghwa Island in Incheon to areas in North Korea and back, increasing tensions and compromising the military's advantages against North Korea.

In its statement, the task force expressed concerns about the implications of O's actions, citing that the flights have led to North Korea issuing condemnatory statements and have placed South Korean citizens at risk. They emphasized that such actions not only threaten national interests but also prompt adjustments in North Korea’s military posture. In light of these findings, the task force has broadened its investigation to include several other individuals connected to O, including people from his drone company, a civil servant linked to financial exchanges with O, and military personnel who accompanied O during the drone flights.

Intensifying their investigation, the task force stated that they will conduct thorough inquiries to ensure that actions threatening South Korea's national interest do not recur and will scrutinize the potential involvement of military and National Intelligence Service personnel in the case. This arrest request marks a significant step in addressing national security threats stemming from unauthorized drone activities, underscoring the need for vigilance in protecting public safety and military integrity.