Two Chinese nationals are under investigation for allegedly taking unauthorized photographs of U.S. and South Korean military aircraft near air bases, prompting renewed scrutiny over national security risks and foreign surveillance.
The Gyeonggi Southern Provincial Police Agency announced Monday that its security investigation division is considering charges for violating laws protecting military installations. The case involves two individuals who reportedly photographed sensitive sites without authorization, including Osan Air Base (K-55) in Pyeongtaek around 9 a.m. last month.
Authorities say the individuals used high-powered cameras to capture images of fighter jets and facilities at the base. While officials have not disclosed which specific areas were photographed, the incident has drawn attention due to the proximity of U.S. military assets and joint forces operations.
The National Intelligence Service, the Defense Security Command, and law enforcement are jointly investigating the case. Investigators have not yet found conclusive evidence of espionage.
The same day, two other Chinese nationals—teenagers—were reportedly apprehended while photographing fighter jets taking off and landing near the 10th Fighter Wing Air Base in Suwon. They were using both a DSLR camera and a mobile phone.
Officials believe the individuals collected thousands of photos from four key military sites: Osan Air Base, Camp Humphreys (K-6), Cheongju Air Base, and the Suwon base. They photographed major civilian airports, including Incheon, Gimpo, and Jeju International Airports.
One of the suspects is reportedly the child of a Chinese public security official. That individual has been formally charged and remains under investigation.
The developments echo concerns raised by former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who in a December speech cited repeated instances of Chinese nationals photographing military installations over the previous two years. Yoon referenced these incidents—alongside reports of drones surveilling the National Intelligence Service—as justification for his declaration of a state of emergency and his push to strengthen South Korea’s anti-espionage laws, a move he said was blocked by opposition lawmakers.
In response, Beijing resisted the allegations, accusing Seoul of politicizing isolated incidents and “exaggerating the Chinese spy threat.” A spokesperson for the Chinese government said such claims could harm bilateral relations and “undermine normal trade cooperation” between the two countries.
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