Two Chinese Former Soldiers Detained for Spying on U.S. Air Force Bases in Gunsan, Pyeongtaek

Two Chinese men, former members of the Chinese military (People's Liberation Army), were detained by the Gyeonggi Nambu Police Agency on charges of collecting information on South Korean military bases and training exercises. The Gyeonggi Nambu Police Agency’s Security Investigation Team announced the detention of a Chinese man in his 60s, identified as A, on charges of simple espionage and violation of the Communications Secrets Protection Act. A Chinese man in his 40s, identified as B, was also detained on charges of simple espionage and violation of the Military Bases and Installations Protection Act.

Mr. A, believed to be a long-serving veteran of the PLA who was discharged, entered South Korea multiple times on a tourist visa since January 2024, continuing his crimes during periods of ROK-US combined air exercises. Since April, Mr. A is suspected of renting accommodation near Gunsan Airport in North Jeolla Province and using a Software-Defined Radio (SDR)—which allows reception of various frequency bands simply by updating laptop software—and an antenna to intercept communications between fighter jets and control towers.

Mr. B, a former special forces member of the PLA, disguised his identity by operating a military surplus shop near the main gate of Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, from November 2021 until May of this year. Mr. B is suspected of recruiting a Korean national, Mr. C, who worked inside the base, and instructing him to steal plans and personnel data for the 'Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS)' exercise. He is also accused of personally filming and recording the movement of weapons inside the base.

As the crimes were committed before the enforcement of the revised criminal law regarding 'foreign espionage,' the two were charged with simple espionage rather than espionage. The police are conducting forensic analysis on the seized equipment to trace the path of the information leak and confirm whether the collected military secrets were passed to the Chinese authorities or a third country.

This incident has heightened concerns that China's information-gathering activities against South Korea are becoming routine, significantly impacting security management around ROK and US military bases. As methods of approach through long-term footholds, such as operating foreign-owned shops around US military bases, have been confirmed, there is an urgent need to completely review the management of base entrants and security certification systems. Additionally, the application of the simple espionage charge, which carries a lighter sentence than espionage under current law, has raised the need for legal and institutional improvements regarding the level of punishment.