Prosecutors asked for prison terms for two Chinese students accused of using drones to illegally film a strategic naval base and a U.S. aircraft carrier.
On April 29, Busan District Court’s Criminal Division 5, presided over by Judge Kim Hyun-sun, held a closing hearing for defendants identified as A (in his 40s) and B (in his 30s). Prosecutors charged them with "general transfer" and violations of the Military Facilities Protection Act.
Prosecutors told the court the conduct directly threatened the nation’s survival and security and requested that lead defendant A be sentenced to five years in prison and co-defendant B to two years.
Both were graduate students at a national university in Busan at the time. From March 2023 through June 2024, they allegedly flew drones near the Naval Operations Command in Nam‑gu, Busan, and recorded images of the base interior without authorization.
Investigators said the case drew particular attention after evidence showed the suspects had filmed the U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt — a roughly 100,000-ton-class vessel that had visited for a South Korea–U.S.–Japan joint military exercise.
Authorities recovered 172 photos and 22 videos totaling 12GB. Investigators say the Chinese-made drone used in the incidents automatically uploaded footage to the manufacturer’s servers in China via a dedicated app. Prosecutors noted that charging A with "general transfer" is the first time that count has been applied to a foreign national.
In court, A’s defense said he filmed out of curiosity because of his interest in military culture and had no intent to harm South Korea’s military interests or security. B pleaded guilty to all charges and expressed remorse.
The two were jailed when their trial began in July last year. A court granted bail in January, and they are now free pending the outcome of the case. The court set final sentencing for June 10.
