Three Chinese students are under investigation by South Korean police for allegedly taking illegal photographs of a US aircraft carrier visiting the country, Korean media reported on Wednesday.
The Chinese nationals were caught flying a drone towards Naval Operations Command in the southeastern city of Busan on June 25 and are alleged to have illegally captured photos of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt which was docked at the base, Korea JoongAng Daily said.
The ship, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier of Carrier Strike Group 9, entered Busan Naval Base on June 22 with the destroyers USS Halsey and the USS Daniel Inouye for a naval exercise involving South Korea, the United States and Japan.
03:10
Trade and Taiwan discussed at 3-way summit for Chinese, Japanese and South Korean leaders
Trade and Taiwan discussed at 3-way summit for Chinese, Japanese and South Korean leaders
Busan police said the suspects were accused of violating the Enforcement Decree of the Protection of Military Bases and Installations Act, which stipulates that individuals caught photographing military bases or facilities without authorisation can face three years in prison or a fine of 30 million won (US$21,700).
The three Chinese nationals, aged between 30 and 49, said their action was motivated by curiosity, according to another report by the Chinese website of Yonhap News Agency. Busan police and the local media outlets identified them as students.
The drone captured more than five minutes of footage of the aircraft carrier and the base, the report said.
The unauthorised photographs were taken on the same day South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol visited the flight deck of the aircraft carrier for an inspection, according to the outlet.
Yoon said the carrier visit symbolised the firm US security commitment to South Korea, Yonhap news agency reported last month.
It was the first time the USS Theodore Roosevelt had made a port call in South Korea and it is the first visit to the country by a US carrier in seven months.
Mistrust between China and South Korea has been growing in recent years, with Seoul deepening its security ties with the US and Japan through increased joint drills.
South Korea earlier this year confirmed it was in talks to join US-led security pact Aukus, following a similar move by Japan.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned earlier this year that relations between the two countries are facing “challenges and difficulties”, while calling for an end to external interference in the relationship.
03:05
Putin, Kim sign ‘strongest ever’ defence treaty amid growing tensions with the West
Putin, Kim sign ‘strongest ever’ defence treaty amid growing tensions with the West
In recent years, China has also intensified its anti-espionage efforts, including measures aimed at safeguarding its military facilities.
Chinese security authorities said last year a foreign national had been caught illegally photographing a naval base and warned military enthusiasts against unauthorised photography, including disclosing sensitive information related to the building of aircraft carriers.
