Ten Chinese high school students who were caught taking unauthorized photos of fighter jets near the Air Force's 10th Fighter Wing in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, have been confirmed to have entered Korea a total of two to three times from last year until recently.
Investigating authorities discovered a large number of photos of the Korea-U.S. military facilities as well as major international airports on the cameras and phones they were carrying at the time of their apprehension. Authorities are investigating whether they have committed similar offenses in the past and are reviewing their overall activities.
According to investigating authorities on the 9th, the Chinese individuals identified as A and B, both in their late teens and charged with violations of the Military Base and Military Facilities Protection Act, were found to have entered the country three and two times, respectively.
A is said to be an individual whose father works in public security, and he entered the country in the second half of last year, earlier this year, and on the 18th of last month. It appears that he stayed in Korea for 4 to 5 days each time.
B also entered the country with A in the second half of last year and on the 18th of last month, and it has been confirmed that he likewise stayed in the country for 4 to 5 days.
They entered the country together through Incheon International Airport on tourist visas on the 18th of last month, and immediately after entering, each carried a DSLR camera with a telephoto lens and a mobile phone, taking numerous photos around Korea-U.S. military facilities and major international airports.
So far, it has been confirmed that the locations they visited include four Korea-U.S. military facilities: Suwon Air Force Base, Pyeongtaek Osan Air Base (K-55), Pyeongtaek U.S. Army Airfield (K-6), Cheongju Air Force Base, and three major international airports: Incheon, Gimpo, and Jeju.
The photos taken include fighter jets taking off and landing as well as control facilities, with the number reportedly amounting to thousands. Investigating authorities are trying to determine whether among the targets photographed are fighter jets classified as U.S. strategic assets, while specifically verifying the times and locations where the photos were taken.
Additionally, based on mobile phone forensics, they are examining whether A and B had also visited other military facilities, airports, or ports of national importance when they entered the country together or alone in the past.
It has been reported that A was scheduled to return to China through Incheon Airport on the 23rd of last month, while B was supposed to return through Gimhae Airport on the 22nd of last month. If their statements are true, they were caught by investigating authorities just before returning home after committing the crimes.
There has been no indication yet of whether A's father directed the crime or was otherwise involved. An official from the investigating authority stated, "Since this is an ongoing investigation, I cannot provide any information."
A and B were caught by police after residents reported seeing them taking unauthorized photos of fighter jets taking off and landing using a DSLR camera and mobile phone near the Suwon Air Force Base, which houses the 10th Fighter Wing, around 3:30 p.m. on the 21st of last month.
It is believed that the two entered the country on the 18th of last month, during the period when the Korea-U.S. joint exercise 'Freedom Shield' (FS) was in progress.
Three agencies, including the Gyeonggi Southern Provincial Police Agency's Security Investigation Division, the National Intelligence Service, and the Military Counter-Intelligence Command, have formed a consultative body to criminally charge A and B and issue travel bans, while investigating whether there are any national security concerns related to this incident.