Three civilians have been submitted to prosecutors by a military-police joint task force (TF) on charges related to flying a drone into North Korea, which heightened tensions between the two Koreas. The suspects, including a director and CEO of EsTel Engineering, are charged with violating national security laws, the Aviation Safety Act, and the Military Base Act. Among them, one suspect was submitted under arrest for directly flying the drone, while the others were submitted without detention.

Since last September, the suspects allegedly flew drones four times into North Korean territory, exposing military information and infringing upon South Korea's military interests. The drones were reportedly configured to launch from Incheon, pass through areas in North Korea, and return to Paju in Gyeonggi Province. Investigations revealed that the suspects did not notify the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport or obtain necessary approvals from military authorities for these flights.

Moreover, the joint task force uncovered that the suspects had conspired to develop a drone that could evade detection by low-altitude air defense systems. They promoted their drone's stealth capabilities for economic gain. It was further revealed that they had conducted trial flights of their drones in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, with ties to their previous collaborative work within civic groups and a presidential office under former President Yoon Suk-yeol. The investigation remains ongoing to determine whether active military or National Intelligence Service personnel were involved in supporting these civilian drone operations.