Two former Chinese military servicemen have been arrested in South Korea in separate cases of apparent espionage, involving alleged attempts to surveil South Korean military operations and US forces stationed in the country, police said.

Details of the Cases

In one case, a man is accused of intercepting flight communications near an airbase where US fighter jets are based, while in the other, information about military drills between US and South Korean forces was allegedly obtained.

Both men have been charged with aiding an enemy state. In response to requests for comment, China’s Foreign Ministry said it was “not familiar with the situation.”

In 2022, a Korean-Chinese man in his 40s allegedly developed a personal relationship with a Korean woman who worked at Camp Humphreys – located in Pyeongtaek about 40 miles south of Seoul. The base is home to US Forces Korea and other major commands, making it a key center for US military operations and readiness on the Korean Peninsula.

Korean media reports say the man gave the woman money for military information about the base. The Gyeonggi Nambu police national security investigation division said the man obtained information about US-South Korea joint military exercises, including Ulchi Freedom Shield, as well as changes in command positions, police said.

The second case involves a Chinese man in his 60s who police said also previously served in the Chinese military. He was arrested on charges of aiding an enemy state and violating the Communications Secrets Protection Act after allegedly using a software-defined radio to intercept communications near Gunsan Airport in North Jeolla Province, about 110 miles south of Seoul.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.