Civilian Intrudes Marine Corps Base, Roams for 2 Hours... "Posing as Counterintelligence Officer"

Passing inspection by blending in with outsiders during the event
Identity not verified for vehicle appearing to belong to military personnel

An incident occurred where a civilian trespassed into a Marine Corps base and wandered around for about two hours. The man reportedly impersonated a member of the Military Counterintelligence Command to gain entry.

According to military sources on the 1st, around 4:20 p.m. on the 28th of last month, a civilian identified as Mr. A entered a Marine Corps division at the Pohang Naval Base.

Since it was the day of the change of command ceremony for the senior sergeant major, Mr. A is said to have passed the security check by blending in with the visitors who came to offer congratulations.

Generally, at military base guard posts, when an outsider enters, vehicle license plates and identification cards are checked to verify authorized personnel. However, Mr. A had installed a flashing light on his vehicle that made him appear to be a military official, and the Marines reportedly mistook him for military personnel and did not properly verify his identity.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Mr. A stayed inside the base for over two and a half hours, introducing himself as a member of the Counterintelligence Command to military personnel he encountered. However, he had no connection to the Counterintelligence Command and is known to be the head of a private security company.

The Marines apprehended Mr. A around 6:50 p.m., when it began to get dark. After confirming his identity, the military police sent him home for the time being and are investigating whether he violated the Military Criminal Act and the Act on the Protection of Military Bases and Military Facilities. A military official stated, “We will conduct a strict investigation in accordance with laws and regulations.”

Earlier, on March 20, a controversy arose when a man in his 50s, intoxicated, passed through the Jeju Naval Base (a civilian-military complex tourist port) in Gangjeong-dong, Seogwipo City.

At that time, one guard at the base’s main gate tried to stop him, but the intoxicated man rode a bicycle at high speed through a gap between the vehicle barrier and the main gate and entered the base, according to the investigation.

The intoxicated man was caught within five minutes of trespassing and was booked on charges of violating the Road Traffic Act and the Act on the Protection of Military Bases and Military Facilities.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.