Teenage Chinese high school students who were caught taking photos of fighter jets at several South Korea-U.S. military facilities and major international airports in Korea admitted part of the charges at their first trial.
At the first hearing on charges including general acts benefiting the enemy under the Criminal Act for two Chinese national high school students, including Student A, held before the Suwon District Court Criminal Division 12, presided over by Presiding Judge Park Geon-chang, on Jan. 13, their legal representative said, "Please do not describe this case as a huge incident with a mastermind behind it; have leniency for the unlawful acts of immature children."
The legal representative said, "If you look at the indictment, it appears as if the defendants had backing and received instructions and support, but they are minors and high school students," and noted, "Their hobby is taking photos, specifically of aircraft and buses."
The representative added, "They did not conspire together; they only traveled together because their destinations and purposes were the same," and said, "We also argue that China is not an enemy state under the law."
The two were indicted and detained on charges of repeatedly taking hundreds of detailed photos with a camera of fighter jets taking off and landing and of control facilities in Korea after entering the country three times and two times, respectively, from the second half of 2024 to March last year.
They visited four South Korea-U.S. military facilities—Suwon Air Base, Pyeongtaek Osan Air Base (K-55), Pyeongtaek U.S. military base (K-6), and Cheongju Air Base—and three major international airports—Incheon, Gimpo, and Jeju.
In particular, Student A tried to eavesdrop on radio communications between an air traffic controller at an air base and a fighter pilot using a walkie-talkie made by a Chinese company, but both attempts failed because the frequencies could not be matched, so it remained an attempt. It also emerged that some of the photos taken were leaked by posting them on social media (SNS) and in a WeChat group chat.
However, whether Student A and others were instructed by a specific country or group was not included in the indictment.
Student A admitted to unauthorized photography, attempts at eavesdropping, and leaking, but denied conspiring with Student B, who was indicted together, or acting with the purpose of harming the Republic of Korea's military interests, and denied the charge of general acts benefiting the enemy under the Criminal Act. Student B maintains that, aside from unauthorized photography, there was no involvement in attempts at eavesdropping or leaking.
They were caught by police who responded to a report from a resident who witnessed them taking unauthorized photos of fighter jets taking off and landing near Suwon Air Base on Mar. 21 last year in the afternoon.
Under the Criminal Act, the offense of general acts benefiting the enemy punishes those who harm the Republic of Korea's military interests or provide military benefits to an enemy state.
The second hearing for them will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 3.