South Korea Accuses 3 Chinese Students of Illegal Drone Video of US Carrier
Seoul, South Korea – In a move that has sparked diplomatic tensions between the two nations, South Korea has accused three Chinese students of illegally flying a drone over a US Navy aircraft carrier in the country’s territorial waters.
According to reports, the three Chinese students, who are studying at a university in South Korea, were arrested on Wednesday after authorities discovered a drone they had been operating near the USS Ronald Reagan, a US Navy aircraft carrier that was docked in the port city of Busan.
The students, who have been identified as 22-year-old Wang Wei, 23-year-old Liang Xiaoming, and 24-year-old Chen Jing, were allegedly using the drone to capture video footage of the aircraft carrier without permission. The drone was equipped with a camera and was flying at an altitude of around 100 meters (330 feet) when it was detected by South Korean authorities.
The incident has sparked concerns about national security and the potential for unauthorized surveillance of military assets. The US Navy has also expressed its disappointment and frustration over the incident, with a spokesperson stating that "the unauthorized use of a drone to capture video footage of a US Navy aircraft carrier is a serious violation of national security protocols."
The three students have been charged with violating South Korea’s National Security Law, which prohibits the collection, preservation, or transmission of classified information without permission. They could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
The incident has also raised questions about the extent to which Chinese students in South Korea are able to access sensitive information and technology. South Korea has a large number of Chinese students studying in the country, and the government has been accused of not doing enough to monitor their activities and prevent the theft of intellectual property.
The Chinese Embassy in Seoul has issued a statement denying any involvement in the incident and calling for the release of the three students. The embassy has also accused South Korea of "overreacting" and "politicizing" the issue.
The incident is likely to further strain relations between South Korea and China, which have been deteriorating in recent months over issues such as trade, security, and the deployment of US military assets in the region.
In a statement, the South Korean government said that it "strongly condemns" the incident and will take all necessary measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The government has also promised to cooperate with the US Navy to investigate the incident and ensure the security of its military assets.
The incident is a reminder of the growing concerns about the use of drones for surveillance and the need for governments to take steps to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information and technology.