2 Former Chinese Military Personnel Arrested In South Korea Over Alleged Espionage

South Korean police have arrested two former Chinese military personnel in separate cases involving alleged spying on South Korean and US forces, including fighter jet communications, military exercises and weapons movements.

The first suspect, a Chinese man in his 60s, allegedly used a radio receiver, antenna and laptop at a hotel near Gunsan Airport in southwestern South Korea to listen to communications between fighter jets and control towers.

Police said he had entered South Korea several times on a tourist visa since January 2024. Investigators said he intercepted military communications during visits, including an incident in April 2026. The man reportedly told police that listening to aircraft communications was his hobby.

Police are now checking his laptop and other devices to find out whether the intercepted material was passed to Chinese authorities. So far, investigators have not said that such a transfer has been confirmed.

The second suspect, a Chinese man in his 40s who also previously served in the Chinese military, allegedly gathered information around Camp Humphreys, the main US military base in South Korea.

Police said he ran a military supply store near the base from November 2021 until May this year. During that period, he allegedly obtained details about South Korea-US military drills, US military personnel and weapons movements.

Investigators also accuse him of taking photographs of command offices and ceremonies for senior US military officers. Police suspect he paid a South Korean woman working at the US base for information. They are also looking into whether the two had a romantic relationship.

Police further suspect the man took US military supplies outside the base and sold them or arranged their resale through his business. He reportedly told investigators that he wanted the information for business reasons.

The arrests have also raised questions about South Korea's espionage laws. Police are pursuing charges linked to aiding the enemy, military bases and communications secrets, rather than a standard foreign espionage charge.

The arrests came just before the annual South Korea-US military exercises, adding to security concerns around the roughly 28,500 US troops stationed in South Korea.