Chinese Spy Group Recruits Active-Duty Soldiers for Military Secret Collection Activities
It has been confirmed that a member of a Chinese spy group, which has been recruiting active-duty soldiers to collect military secrets and confidential materials, was arrested at the end of last month.
They are accused of infiltrating open chat rooms attended by active soldiers and demanding military secrets and confidential materials in exchange for cash and other rewards.
A soldier from a front-line unit, who was recruited by them and provided internal information related to the ROK-U.S. combined exercises via the military intranet, is also reported to be under investigation.
According to the military on the 2nd, the Military Counterintelligence Command arrested a Chinese national, referred to as A, on the 29th of last month in Jeju, for his involvement as an operative in a Korean military secret detection and collection organization, and he is currently under investigation for violating the Military Confidentiality Protection Act.
It is reported that A came to Jeju to meet with someone who was providing them with confidential information to hand over payment for that information upon receiving directions from the leader of the organization, but was caught on the spot.
Soldier Recruited, Leaks Confidential Materials Including ROK-U.S. Combined Exercise Information
A soldier serving in a certain unit in Yanggu, Gangwon Province, was also recruited by this group and is understood to have smuggled in spy cameras and other equipment into the unit, taking photos of internal materials such as the operational plans for the ROK-U.S. combined exercises posted on the defense network (intranet), and has repeatedly delivered this information.
This soldier reportedly also smuggled an unauthorized mobile phone into the unit to take photos of the internal materials.
The counterintelligence agency believes that it is highly likely that this soldier received financial compensation. Additionally, they have identified indications that the leader of the organization is based in China and may belong to the Chinese military, leading to an expansion of the investigation.
China’s Military Information Collection Activities on South Korea Becoming More Sophisticated
This incident starkly illustrates that China's military information collection activities on South Korea are becoming increasingly organized and sophisticated, highlighting the need for a comprehensive enhancement of the military authorities' security system.
In particular, the approach involving open chat rooms attended by active-duty soldiers reveals a new form of espionage that has evolved in the digital environment.
A military official stated, "Given that China's military information collection efforts are becoming increasingly diverse, we are strengthening our vigilance," and emphasized that "soldiers must exercise special caution regarding access via social media or open chat rooms."
Counterintelligence experts also analyze this incident not as a mere individual case of information leakage, but as part of a systematic information collection effort, highlighting the urgency for swift identification of additional related individuals and accurately determining the scope of the leaked information.
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