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Jin Young-seung, nominee for chairman of South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. / Source: Yonhap

The son of Jin Young-seung, the nominee for chairman of South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, is facing allegations that he had prior knowledge of the military’s drone infiltration operation targeting Pyongyang. Capt. Jin, who served with the counterintelligence unit of the Drone Operations Command from late 2023 to February this year, allegedly became aware of the plan in advance. The special counsel investigating the December 3 martial law incident suspects the unit had foreknowledge of the mission, raising speculation that Jin may also have learned of it through his son. Jin has denied the allegation.

According to Asia Today’s reporting, Capt. Jin worked closely with the counterintelligence chief, assisting with intelligence gathering. The unit, a detachment of the Defense Counterintelligence Command, is tasked with monitoring military security and reporting to headquarters. Witnesses claim that shortly after the drone command convened a task force in June 2024 to plan the infiltration, a member of the group spoke with Capt. Jin — a timeline that matches what prosecutors believe. If proven, it could suggest Capt. Jin was aware of the infiltration in advance, a matter carrying foreign collusion implications.

The controversy has gained traction given the family’s background. Both Jin and his son are graduates of the Air Force Academy, long regarded as an “elite air force family.” Media previously highlighted them as a rare father–son case in the same branch. With Jin serving in senior positions overseeing drone operations at the time, speculation has grown that information may have been informally shared.

Jin’s camp, however, flatly denied the claims, saying he had “no knowledge whatsoever” of the infiltration plan. Asked earlier this month about the controversy, Jin said, “If the enemy threatens us or endangers our people, the Joint Chiefs must respond strongly, but any response must follow proper procedures and regulations.” His confirmation hearing is scheduled for September 24.

The counterintelligence unit itself underwent reshuffling after the December 3 martial law episode. Capt. Jin was reassigned to Air Force headquarters, a move some insiders viewed as a promotion. At the time, Jin was serving as commander of the Joint Chiefs’ Strategic Command. The Defense Counterintelligence Command insisted the reassignment followed normal procedures and said Jin had no influence over his son’s posting.