A Chinese international student studying in Busan has been arrested for using a drone to illegally film South Korean military bases and U.S. aircraft carriers, then uploading the footage to Chinese social media platforms.
According to local media reports, the Busan Metropolitan Police Agency announced on the 26th that it had arrested two Chinese students, including the primary suspect, and indicted one without detention on charges including general treason.
Authorities say the individuals used drones to record 172 photos and 22 videos of military installations near the Busan Naval Operations Command in Nam-gu between March and June 2023.
While enrolled at a university in Busan, the students allegedly conducted drone flights on nine separate occasions, capturing sensitive military content and distributing it through online platforms in China.
The police, in collaboration with the prosecution, National Intelligence Service, and Counterintelligence Unit, determined that the actions posed a direct threat to national security by transmitting military information overseas.
This marks the first time a foreign national has been arrested on charges of treason in South Korea. Under the country’s criminal law, acts that damage the Republic of Korea’s military interests can be considered treason, punishable by three years to life imprisonment.
Police emphasized that they will continue to treat unauthorized filming and distribution of military facility content as serious violations of national security, promising a strong crackdown on such activity.
