Police Question Chinese Students Who Flew Drone Over USS Theodore Roosevelt in South Korea
In a shocking incident, a group of Chinese students flying a drone over the USS Theodore Roosevelt, a United States Navy aircraft carrier, in South Korea has raised concerns about national security and diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
According to reports, the students, who were part of a group of 15 Chinese nationals on a cultural exchange program, flew the drone over the USS Theodore Roosevelt, which was docked in the port city of Busan, South Korea, on Sunday morning. The drone was reportedly flying at an altitude of around 100 feet and was visible to naval personnel on board the ship.
The incident has sparked a major controversy, with the US Navy and South Korean authorities launching an investigation into the matter. The Chinese students, who were on a tour of the city, were questioned by police and officials from the US Navy’s 7th Fleet.
"We take this incident very seriously and are investigating to determine the circumstances surrounding the unauthorized drone flight," said Commander Ron Flanders, a spokesperson for the US Navy’s 7th Fleet.
The USS Theodore Roosevelt, which is the flagship of the US Navy’s 7th Fleet, is currently on a routine deployment in the Asia-Pacific region. The aircraft carrier is equipped with advanced sensors and communication systems, and its presence in South Korea is seen as a symbol of the US commitment to regional security.
The incident has raised concerns about the potential risks posed by unauthorized drone flights near military installations. Drones can be used to gather sensitive information, disrupt operations, or even attack targets, making them a significant threat to national security.
The Chinese students, who were identified as being from a university in the city of Wuhan, have been released pending further investigation. The South Korean authorities have also launched an investigation into the incident, with officials from the country’s National Intelligence Service and Ministry of National Defense involved in the probe.
The incident has also sparked a diplomatic row between the US and China, with the US State Department expressing concerns about the incident. "We take all unauthorized drone flights around our military assets very seriously and are working with the South Korean authorities to investigate this incident," said a State Department spokesperson.
The Chinese Embassy in Seoul has also issued a statement, denying any wrongdoing by the students and expressing regret over the incident. "We understand that the drone flight was an unintentional mistake and we are working with the US and South Korean authorities to resolve the matter," said a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy.
The incident has also raised questions about the safety and security measures in place at the USS Theodore Roosevelt and other military installations in South Korea. The US Navy has promised to increase security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As the investigation continues, the incident has highlighted the growing concerns about the use of drones near military installations and the need for greater vigilance and cooperation between nations to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.