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North Korean authorities have detained two Chinese nationals suspected of covertly eavesdropping on military communication at Kunsan Airport and collecting sensitive military information. Both individuals are of Chinese origin. The police are currently investigating the specific circumstances surrounding the incident. According to a summary from the 11th of last month, the police apprehended a 60-year-old Chinese man, Mr. K, on suspicion of violating the Act on the Prohibition of Secret Communications and the Act on Military Information Security.

On the same day, they apprehended a 40-year-old Chinese man, Mr. N, on charges of violating the Military Facilities Act. Mr. K is accused of illegally intercepting communication between military pilots and ground controllers at the Kunsan Airport hotel where he had installed a SDR (software-defined radio) transponder, antenna, and laptop.

The police noted that Mr. K entered the country multiple times starting in January 2024, including during a period when US military exercises were taking place. Mr. K claimed he was simply a hobbyist who listened to civilian aircraft communication, but the police believe he was gathering information to listen to fighter pilot communications.

Similarly, Mr. N, a 40-year-old Chinese man, was detained on charges of operating a military goods store near the entrance of Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, supplying money and benefits to a Korean man named Mr. T who served in the US military, and receiving classified information about US military exercises, such as the location of weapon movements and the Freedom Bridge Freedom Training.

According to the investigation, Mr. N collected data on US military facilities, including images of the commander's swearing-in ceremony and information about the Taejo Kyonggi Freedom Training, which he purchased second-hand and sold through underground markets. Investigators are analyzing the laptops and hard drives seized from the two individuals to determine the specific military information they obtained, whether they transmitted it externally, and the background of their actions.

The police noted that under the revised Criminal Act, which takes effect on September 13th, the scope of espionage crimes will be expanded to include foreign entities or organizations, indicating that they are actively preparing to counter foreign information activities targeting South Korea.