Two Chinese Nationals Sentenced to Prison for Illegal Filming at Military Facilities... First Application of General Espionage Charge to Foreigners

Detailed Photography at Suwon and Osan Bases

"Grave Threat to National Security Recognized"

Two Chinese nationals have been sentenced to prison for taking hundreds of photographs of military aircraft and air traffic control facilities at military installations in South Korea. This marks the first time that a foreign national has been found guilty and actually sentenced under the general espionage provisions of Korea’s Criminal Act.

Suwon District Court and Suwon High Court building. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

According to Yonhap News Agency on May 14, the 12th Criminal Division of the Suwon District Court (Presiding Judge Park Geon-chang) sentenced an 18-year-old Chinese national, referred to as A, to a maximum of 2 years and a minimum of 1 year and 6 months in prison on charges including general espionage under the Criminal Act. Another Chinese national, B (age 20), was sentenced to 2 years in prison. The court also ordered the confiscation of the cameras and other equipment used in the crime.

The court stated, "The defendants conspired to intercept communications between air traffic controllers and pilots, and photographed military aircraft at places such as Osan Air Base. These acts constitute espionage activities that could compromise the military interests of the Republic of Korea." The court found all charges to be proven.

The court further recognized that the two acted in concert, citing evidence such as their WeChat communications, reasons for entry into Korea, and movement routes within the country. The court said, "Given the deployment status of the photographed aircraft and the key missions of the bases involved, this case constitutes a grave threat to national security and warrants severe punishment."

However, the court considered several mitigating factors: that B's wiretapping activity was carried out at the direction of A, that A is a minor, and that neither defendant had any prior criminal record.

A and B were indicted and detained on charges of repeatedly entering South Korea from the second half of 2024 through March of last year and meticulously photographing military aircraft and control facilities at South Korea-U.S. military installations such as Suwon Air Base, Pyeongtaek Osan Air Base, Pyeongtaek U.S. Air Base, and Cheongju Air Base, as well as at Incheon, Gimpo, and Jeju airports while military aircraft were taking off and landing.

On March 21 of last year, the two were apprehended by police after being reported by local residents for photographing fighter jets near Suwon Air Base without authorization.

This is the first time that a foreign national has been convicted under the general espionage charge in the Criminal Act, which punishes those who undermine the military interests of the Republic of Korea or provide benefits to an enemy state.

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