Chinese individuals were caught by the police for illegally photographing fighter jets near the Air Force's 10th Combat Wing in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province.
The Gyeonggi Southern Provincial Police Agency's Security Investigation Division reported on the 7th that they have placed two individuals, including a Chinese individual in their late teens, under criminal investigation for violating the Military Bases and Military Facilities Protection Act.
The individuals, including the Chinese individual, are suspected of illegally photographing landing and departing fighter jets using a DSLR camera and a mobile phone around 3:30 p.m. on the 21st of last month near the Suwon Air Force base where the 10th Combat Wing is stationed.
A resident who witnessed the crime at the time reported to 112 that "two Namsung were taking photos around the air force base."
Officials from the Hwaseong Dongtan Police Station's security investigation unit and the provincial terrorism and counter-espionage investigation unit promptly dispatched to the scene, apprehended the individuals, and took them to the police station for questioning.
Investigations revealed that the individuals are students attending high school in China and that they entered the country with tourist visas three days prior to the incident.
Numerous photographs of fighter jets in flight were found on the DSLR camera and mobile phone they possessed.
The police are examining whether the individuals have also committed crimes at other military facilities, airports, or ports, in addition to the Suwon Air Force base, through mobile phone forensics.
In addition, the individuals have been criminally charged and subject to exit control measures. The individual is reported to have stated to the police that "they have a hobby of taking pictures of airplanes."
However, the police do not believe the individuals' statements can be taken at face value and are keeping all possibilities open, including the potential for espionage.
A police official noted that "details cannot be disclosed as the matter is under investigation."
Previously, in November of last year, a Chinese individual was apprehended by the police for using a drone to photograph the National Intelligence Service building, and in January, another Chinese individual was caught for taking pictures of Jeju International Airport with a drone. It is known that there is currently no evidence of espionage in either incident.