Two Chinese nationals were twice found photographing a South Korean military base but faced no serious consequences. Spotted near Osan Air Base on April 21, they captured images of aircraft and base infrastructure using advanced cameras. The US military reported them, leading to their detention under the Military Facility Protection Act. Despite suspicions, authorities found no evidence of espionage or anti-state activities, resulting in their release. The incident raised concerns, but officials maintained that no security breach had occurred.
Authorities stated that no signs of espionage were found in the images taken by the two individuals, as the photos only depicted fighter jets flying near the base’s outer perimeter—an act not considered an offense under military protection laws. Despite this, the same individuals were seen near the facility again two days later and were detained on April 23. They were subsequently interrogated for eight hours by intelligence agencies.
Following their questioning, officials once again opted not to press charges, citing insufficient evidence of anti-state activities. Due to security concerns, specific details of the case remained undisclosed. However, media reports indicated that the individuals had photographed military aircraft from public areas using high-end equipment. Since photographing planes from unrestricted locations is not illegal in South Korea, no legal action was taken. While the country has strict espionage laws, concerns have been raised about their effectiveness in cases involving foreign nationals.
South Korea enforces severe penalties for espionage linked to North Korea, including death or long prison terms. However, spying for other nations, such as China, falls outside these strict regulations. Kim Yeoul-soo, a military affairs researcher, highlighted this loophole, stating that outdated laws have enabled foreign nationals to evade punishment. His concerns echo broader fears amid rising espionage cases worldwide, including in the U.S., Taiwan, and Germany. South Korea itself has witnessed multiple incidents of suspected espionage involving Chinese nationals.
Two Chinese teenagers were found photographing aircraft near Suwon Air Base in March 2025 using DSLR cameras and smartphones. Further investigation uncovered thousands of images taken at four military sites, including a US base in Pyeongtaek and an air base in Cheongju. They insisted they were aviation enthusiasts, but suspicions grew when one disclosed his father’s ties to China’s Public Security Bureau. The revelation fuelled espionage concerns, leading to a formal investigation into the boy’s activities.
In June 2024, three Chinese students were detained in South Korea for unauthorized drone filming of the USS Theodore Roosevelt, a US aircraft carrier docked near Busan for military exercises. The vessel had arrived for drills and was stationed at the Naval Operations Command’s Busan Operational Base. The students’ actions led to an investigation under the Military Bases and Military Facilities Protection Act, raising concerns over security and unauthorized surveillance in restricted military zones.
A drone hovered over the USS Theodore Roosevelt for five minutes before soldiers spotted it. The three Chinese students detained claimed curiosity about the massive aircraft carrier. However, a December 2024 report suggested one student might be linked to the Chinese Communist Party. The student had received an “excellent Communist Party member” award at a Chinese university in 2021, and forensic analysis of his phone uncovered Communist Party newsletters and contacts linked to public security officials, fuelling espionage concerns.
A civilian employee of South Korea’s Defence Intelligence Command was found to have leaked sensitive information to Chinese agents over seven years, exposing a serious security breach. The case added to growing concerns about foreign espionage, with similar incidents reported globally. In the U.S., Chinese national Fengyun Shi faced charges in June 2024 after using a drone to photograph a Virginia shipyard constructing nuclear submarines for the Navy. A graduate student at the University of Minnesota, his actions raised alarm over national security threats.
Authorities examining a seized drone reportedly found images captured at Newport News Shipyard and BAE Systems, key locations for naval vessel construction, including nuclear submarines. The discovery raised security concerns. Meanwhile, reports from April and May suggested that a Chinese drone had recorded footage of the USS Ronald Reagan at Japan’s Yokosuka Naval Base. Though a U.S. Navy investigation found no definitive proof of drone activity over the carrier, the incident fueled ongoing fears of foreign surveillance targeting military operations.
During the same period, footage and photos emerged showing the JS Izumo docked at its base, along with visuals of Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force facilities in Yokosuka. On May 9, 2024, the Japanese Ministry of Defense verified the authenticity of a video allegedly filmed by a Chinese drone, further intensifying security concerns.
China’s intelligence network is reportedly strengthened by expatriates, researchers, students, and business professionals relaying information back home. Many nations fear that students are strategically used for espionage. In 2024, Germany accused China of assembling a network of spies to monitor adversaries. South Korean authorities recently acknowledged the difficulty of determining whether such incidents are espionage-related or benign. Nevertheless, concerns persist, with growing calls for reforms in South Korea’s espionage laws to address potential security risks more effectively.