Be Careful When Taking Unintentional Photos During Travel... Military Facility Photography at Civil-Military Airports Must Be Avoided

Unauthorized Filming and Distribution of Military Facilities at Airports Rampant
Over 10 People Caught in Chungbuk This Year

Notice of Photography Prohibition Inside the Airport / Photo by Chungbuk Police Agency

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Nayeon] The Chungbuk Provincial Police Agency has warned that photographing military-related facilities within Cheongju Airport (a joint civil-military airport) with a mobile phone can lead to punishment.

When posting certification shots taken with smartphones or small travel cameras of the airport and aircraft during takeoff and landing on personal blogs or social networking services (SNS), extra caution is required.

According to Chungbuk Police on the 10th, in February 2020, Mr. A (43) was caught after photographing military facilities (aircraft base hangar) inside Cheongju International Airport at 5:37 p.m. and posting them on SNS. He was later handed over to the prosecution and was summarily indicted for violating the Military Bases and Military Facilities Protection Act, receiving a fine of 5 million won.

Without permission, photographing, describing, recording, or surveying military airports or other facilities can result in imprisonment for up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million won.

This year as well, cases of unauthorized photography at joint civil-military airports and posting on SNS leading to legal punishment have been occurring continuously.

Joint civil-military airports are places used by both civilian and military aircraft and are classified as military facilities; Cheongju International Airport is no exception.

However, there is a problem that civilian passengers using Cheongju Airport continuously photograph and distribute images of military facilities without authorization.

According to the Chungbuk Provincial Police Agency, about 10 people have been booked from January to April this year for violating the Military Bases and Military Facilities Protection Act. They were caught after taking photos or videos of military facilities within the airport and posting them on SNS.

Since photographs of military airport facilities can be exploited for acts threatening national security such as terrorism, the level of punishment is severe. With travel demand increasing following the easing of COVID-19 quarantine rules, Chungbuk Police stated, "Because it can cause serious harm to security, people should be cautious about photographing military facilities carelessly."