2 Chinese nationals sentenced to prison for filming Busan naval base

BUSAN, June 10 (Yonhap) -- Two Chinese nationals were sentenced to prison Wednesday for repeatedly filming a naval base in the southeastern port city of Busan using Chinese-made drones and mobile phones, a court said.

The two, who are in their 40s and 30s, received an 18-month prison term and a suspended one-year term, respectively, for illegally filming the Busan naval base on nine different occasions between March 2023 and June 2024, according to the Busan District Court.

The last time the Chinese nationals flew drones was on June 25, 2024, when then President Yoon Suk Yeol visited the base to inspect the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt docked at the naval base.

The older defendant was convicted of benefiting the enemy, while both were found guilty of violating the Military Bases and Installations Protection Act.

"The defendants caused significant danger to the military interests of the Republic of Korea by exposing information related to military installations," the court said, referring to South Korea by its official name.

"The fact that the photos and footage taken by the defendants do not appear to have been leaked to enemy states, unfriendly nations or organizations was considered favorably."

This photo, captured from the official website of the U.S. Pacific Command, shows the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt. (Yonhap)