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Chinese nationals caught red-handed filming a US aircraft carrier multiple times over 15 months in South Korea have been arrested in what officials call the first foreign surveillance case targeting American military assets in the country.
Key Takeaways
- Two Chinese international students were arrested in Busan for illegally filming the US aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt and the Republic of Korea Fleet Command.
- The suspects conducted drone surveillance on nine occasions between March 2023 and June 2024, capturing 172 photos and 22 videos, some shared on Chinese social media.
- The Chinese-manufactured drones potentially transmitted data directly to servers in China, raising significant national security concerns.
- This marks the first instance of foreign nationals being detained in South Korea for violating military surveillance regulations.
- A third Chinese individual remains under investigation without detention in connection with the espionage activity.
Unprecedented Spy Operation Uncovered
South Korean authorities have arrested two Chinese nationals in Busan for conducting illegal drone surveillance of the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier and the Republic of Korea Fleet Command. The men, international students in their 30s and 40s, face serious charges under the Protection of Military Bases and Installations Act for repeatedly filming sensitive military installations. The arrests mark an alarming escalation in Chinese espionage activities targeting critical US and South Korean military assets.
“Two Chinese individuals were arrested yesterday for illegally filming a naval base and a US aircraft carrier,” said an official from the Busan police.
The surveillance operation was extensive and calculated, with authorities confirming nine separate filming incidents between March 2023 and June 2024. The most recent filming took place on June 25, 2024, during a visit by then-President Yoon Suk Yeol to the aircraft carrier, which demonstrated a bold disregard for security protocols. Investigators recovered 172 photographs and 22 video files from the suspects, showing a comprehensive effort to document the naval installations.
how to win friends & people Xi has won unpopularity contest in ROK— poll overwhelming public dislike/distrust of China https://t.co/q3vLpsYszh
— Robert Manning (@Rmanning4) July 25, 2024
Chinese Data Collection Network Exposed
The investigation has revealed disturbing connections to China’s broader intelligence-gathering apparatus. The drones used in the surveillance operation were manufactured by a Chinese company, with South Korean officials expressing serious concern that data captured during the flights may have been automatically transmitted to servers in China. The suspects also reportedly shared their footage on Chinese social media platforms including TikTok, potentially making sensitive military information publicly accessible.
“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.” Officials said.
This case represents just the latest in a series of concerning Chinese data collection activities in South Korea. Authorities recently fined Chinese e-commerce giant Temu for illegally transferring personal information of Korean users to China and other countries, highlighting Beijing’s aggressive approach to harvesting data from foreign nationals. The unauthorized surveillance of critical military infrastructure takes these concerns to a new and more dangerous level.
Expanding Investigation
The scope of the Chinese surveillance operation may be wider than initially reported. Busan police confirmed that a third Chinese individual is also under investigation in connection with the illegal filming activities. While this suspect has not been detained, their involvement suggests a potentially coordinated effort rather than isolated actions by the two arrested individuals. This raises questions about whether other Chinese nationals in South Korea might be engaged in similar espionage activities.
“A third Chinese individual is also currently being investigated without detention,” confirmed an official from the Busan police.
The arrests highlight the growing security challenges posed by commercially available drone technology. While the suspects posed as international students, one faces the particularly serious charge of “benefiting the enemy by other means” in addition to violating military base protection laws. This case exemplifies President Trump’s longstanding warnings about Chinese espionage activities and the need for heightened vigilance regarding foreign nationals with access to sensitive locations. As the investigation continues, these arrests may represent just the tip of the iceberg in China’s broader intelligence operations targeting American and allied military assets in the region.
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Author: Editor
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