A South Korean court held its final hearing on April 21 at the Suwon District Court Criminal Division for two Chinese high school students accused of illegally photographing military aircraft at multiple U.S. and South Korean military installations and international airports. Prosecutors recommended prison sentences for both defendants.
For one defendant, identified as “A,” prosecutors recommended an indeterminate sentence of three to four years, while for “B,” they recommended a fixed four-year term. Under South Korea’s Juvenile Act, underage offenders are subject to indeterminate sentencing, where both minimum and maximum terms are specified. Prosecutors also requested the confiscation of cameras and other equipment used in the offenses. In justifying their sentencing recommendations, prosecutors stated that threatening military security constitutes a serious crime and that the defendants had shown no remorse.
In their final statements, both defendants said they never imagined that actions taken out of simple curiosity would lead to such serious consequences, expressed deep regret, and asked the court for leniency.
The two suspects entered South Korea three and two times respectively between the second half of 2024 and March of last year. They are accused of using digital cameras with telephoto lenses and mobile phones to photograph military aircraft and controlled facilities near several military bases and international airports. Investigation revealed that the photographed locations included four military installations — Suwon Air Base, Pyeongtaek Osan Air Base, a U.S. military base, and Cheongju Air Base — as well as three international airports: Incheon, Gimpo, and Jeju. The two were arrested on March 21 at around 3:30 p.m. after police responded to a report of them illegally photographing aircraft taking off and landing near Suwon Air Base.
Source: Yonhap News, April 21, 2026
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