South Korean intelligence authorities have revealed that one of three Chinese students under investigation for illegally filming a U.S. aircraft carrier was previously honored as a model Communist Party member. This revelation has intensified suspicions of Chinese intelligence agency involvement in the case, potentially escalating the severity of the charges.
On June 25, the students were caught using a drone to film the USS Theodore Roosevelt, a U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, near the Busan Korea Fleet Command. Investigators now believe their actions were orchestrated by Chinese intelligence agencies, marking a serious breach of military and national security protocols.
South Korea’s Armed Forces Counterintelligence Command, National Intelligence Service (NIS), and police are conducting a joint investigation. Authorities are considering filing treason charges in addition to violations of the Military Base and Facility Protection Act if the espionage allegations are confirmed.
Investigative authorities disclosed that one of the indicted students was an active member of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and had been recognized as an “excellent Communist Party member” in May 2021 at a Chinese university. Forensic analysis of the students’ mobile devices revealed extensive contact with Chinese public security officials and access to CCP newsletters, suggesting a broader intelligence-gathering operation.
“The students’ activities indicate a deliberate effort to surveil South Korean and American military assets,” said a senior intelligence officer. “Their ties to the Communist Party raise red flags about state-sponsored espionage.”
Authorities have traced the students’ activities back to at least September 2022, when they conducted reconnaissance of the Busan Korea Fleet Command. Photographs discovered on their devices include images of South Korean military bases, American military equipment, and naval vessels such as the USS Springfield and USS Nimitz, both of which docked in South Korea between February and March 2023.
The students were apprehended due to the vigilance of military personnel deployed for President Yoon Suk Yeol’s planned visit to the USS Theodore Roosevelt. A soldier noticed a drone flying near the event venue and reported it, prompting a swift joint military and police operation that led to the students’ capture.
Fortunately, President Yoon’s activities aboard the aircraft carrier were not compromised. However, investigators fear that classified details about the presidential security plan may have been leaked.
The discovery of hundreds of photos and the students’ methodical surveillance patterns underscore the vulnerability of South Korea’s military infrastructure to foreign espionage. Analysts believe the students may have been deliberately dispatched to South Korea based on their intelligence-gathering expertise.
“This is a wake-up call for South Korea,” remarked a retired intelligence official. “Foreign espionage is no longer confined to traditional adversaries like North Korea.”
In July, investigators expanded their probe to determine whether the students also violated the Military Secrets Protection Act. The act governs the handling of sensitive information critical to national defense and applies severe penalties for breaches.
The case has highlighted gaps in South Korea’s legal framework for addressing foreign espionage. Currently, espionage laws primarily target activities linked to North Korea, South Korea’s designated “enemy country.” This limitation has made it challenging to impose severe penalties on foreign nationals involved in intelligence-gathering.
Under existing law, espionage is punishable by at least seven years in prison or the death penalty, while general treason carries a minimum sentence of three years to life imprisonment. However, these penalties cannot be applied to individuals not explicitly working for an “enemy country.”
The National Assembly is considering a legislative revision to broaden the definition of espionage. A bill passed by the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee on October 13 proposes expanding the scope to include “foreign countries or organizations similar thereto.”
“For national security, we must address espionage threats from all foreign actors,” said an intelligence official. “I urge the National Assembly to pass this crucial amendment without delay.”
The incident comes amid heightened regional tensions and growing concerns about China’s intelligence operations in East Asia. Observers see parallels between this case and similar incidents involving Chinese nationals accused of espionage in the United States and other countries.
Experts argue that South Korea must enhance its counterintelligence capabilities to address these challenges. “The case underscores the need for robust international cooperation and better monitoring of foreign nationals involved in sensitive areas,” said Dr. Kim Ji-hyun, a security analyst at Yonsei University.
