Chinese nationals arrested in South Korea were caught red-handed illegally filming US and South Korean military assets over 15 months, with evidence suggesting the sensitive footage may have been transmitted directly to servers in China.
Key Takeaways
- Two Chinese nationals, international students in their 30s and 40s, were arrested for illegally filming a US aircraft carrier and a South Korean naval base in Busan using drones.
- The suspects conducted nine unauthorized surveillance operations between March 2023 and June 2024, capturing 172 photos and 22 videos.
- This marks the first case of foreign nationals being detained on charges of violating South Korea’s Protection of Military Bases and Installations Act.
- The Chinese-manufactured drones potentially transmitted the sensitive military data directly to servers in China.
- A third Chinese national remains under investigation without detention
Chinese Espionage Activities Caught by South Korean Authorities
South Korean authorities have arrested two Chinese nationals for conducting extensive drone surveillance of the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier and the Republic of Korea Fleet Command in Busan. The international students, aged in their 30s and 40s, repeatedly violated South Korean law by capturing sensitive military installations over multiple operations spanning more than a year. This unprecedented case represents the first time foreign nationals have been detained for such activities under South Korea’s Protection of Military Bases and Installations Act, highlighting growing concerns about Chinese surveillance operations in the region.
“Two Chinese individuals were arrested yesterday for illegally filming a naval base and a US aircraft carrier,” reported an official from the Busan police.
The espionage activities were systematic and deliberate. Between March 2023 and June 2024, the suspects conducted nine separate unauthorized filming operations, amassing 172 photographs and 22 video files of the military installations. Their most recent surveillance activity occurred on June 25, 2024, coinciding with a visit by then-president Yoon Suk Yeol to the aircraft carrier. The timing suggests a calculated effort to gather intelligence during a high-profile diplomatic event, raising serious questions about potential coordination with Chinese intelligence services.
Data Transmitted to China, National Security Implications
Perhaps most concerning is the revelation that the drones used in the surveillance operations were manufactured by a Chinese company, with strong indications that the collected data may have been automatically transmitted to servers in China. One suspect faces especially serious charges, including “benefiting the enemy by other means,” along with violations of military base protection laws. The direct transmission of sensitive military intelligence to China represents a significant national security breach with implications for both South Korean and American defense interests.
“SOUTH KOREA HAS ARRESTED TWO CHINESE NATIONALS FOR USING A DRONE TO ILLEGALLY FILM SENSITIVE MILITARY SITES, INCLUDING A US AIRCRAFT CARRIER IN BUSAN, IN WHAT OFFICIALS SAY IS THE FIRST KNOWN FOREIGN SURVEILLANCE CASE TARGETING US MILITARY ASSETS IN THE COUNTRY,” according to Officials.
Investigators have discovered that some of the footage was shared on Chinese social media platforms, including TikTok. This public dissemination of sensitive military information represents a troubling development that could aid in foreign intelligence analysis and targeting. The case highlights growing concerns about China’s aggressive intelligence-gathering operations aimed at US and allied military capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region. President Trump has consistently warned about such activities and the security risks posed by Chinese-owned technology platforms and manufacturers.
Broader Pattern of Chinese Data Collection
The military surveillance incident comes amid a broader pattern of concerning data collection practices by Chinese entities in South Korea. Recently, South Korean authorities fined Chinese e-commerce giant Temu for illegally transferring Korean users’ personal information to China and other countries. This establishes a troubling pattern of Chinese organizations operating in South Korea routinely collecting and exporting sensitive data to mainland China, where it can be accessed by Chinese government authorities under their national security laws.
“A third Chinese individual is also currently being investigated without detention,” according to an official from the Busan police.
The investigation remains ongoing, with a third Chinese national currently under investigation without detention. As authorities dig deeper into this espionage network, there are growing concerns about how many similar operations may be occurring throughout South Korea and other allied nations hosting US military assets. The case demonstrates the urgent need for enhanced counter-intelligence measures and stricter regulations on drone usage near sensitive military installations, particularly those manufactured by companies based in adversarial nations with demonstrated interest in collecting military intelligence.
