China's Outrageous Claim: "South Korea is at Fault Too"

Two Chinese high school students, A and B, have been placed under investigation for violating the Military Facility and Military Installations Protection Act after they took photographs near U.S.-South Korean military facilities and major international airports. The two entered the country on the 18th of last month and took a large number of photos using two DSLR cameras equipped with telephoto lenses and their mobile phones.

It has been reported that they were even in possession of two radios that were unable to properly receive frequencies at the time of the incident.

Currently, an appraisal has been requested from the National Institute of Scientific Investigation to clarify the specific use of the radios.

Recently, Chinese authorities expressed dissatisfaction, mentioning that there had been exaggerated reports and propaganda from South Korean media outlets and politicians regarding the case. According to a report by Maeil Business Newspaper on the 28th, the Chinese Embassy in South Korea recently informed Chinese nationals residing in Korea that "there have been multiple cases suspected since last year of Chinese individuals illicitly photographing sensitive locations or facilities using drones or cameras in South Korea."

They further warned, "Please comply with local laws and regulations and refrain from entering military restricted areas or photographing sensitive facilities without permission," and emphasized that people should be cautious of 'No Photography' warning signs to avoid legal risks due to negligence.

Additionally, the Chinese Embassy in South Korea asserted, "The parties involved are being investigated by South Korean judicial authorities, and even their personal freedoms are being restricted," claiming that "some South Korean media and politicians have exaggerated this incident in a way that is not aligned with the facts to gain attention."

The embassy also expressed concern and dissatisfaction over the irresponsible reporting of relevant media outlets, stating, "We hope the media will maintain professionalism and social responsibility, not politically exaggerate general incidents, and avoid political speculation before official investigation results are released."

Furthermore, they noted, "The embassy has already expressed its concerns to the South Korean authorities, demanding that they conduct a fair and impartial investigation and protect the legitimate rights and interests of the parties involved."

In conclusion, they stated, "Currently, the amount of people-to-people exchanges between China and South Korea continues to increase, which is the result of joint efforts from both sides," adding a hope for continued cooperation in various sectors to maintain a positive situation for the ongoing improvement of bilateral relations.

Meanwhile, the investigation authorities are checking whether A's statement about his father being in law enforcement indicates that someone, including A's father, may have directed the crime. Furthermore, they plan to maintain exit restrictions on both A and B until the final investigation concludes.

Image Source: Illustrative material for understanding the article / gettyimagesbank, On the 18th, at Gwangju Air Force Base in Sinchon-dong, Gwangsan-gu, preparations were made for a large-scale joint air exercise 'Freedom Flag' by the U.S.-South Korean Air Force. / News1