Entering the Airshow in Violation of US Military Policy to Commit the Offense
Police Respond to Report: "Suspicious Individuals Taking Photos"
While a series of incidents have occurred in which Chinese nationals were caught illegally photographing fighter jets at key South Korea-US military facilities, Taiwanese nationals were apprehended by police for illegally photographing fighter jets at an airshow held inside a US Air Force base in South Korea.
According to the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency on May 12, the Pyeongtaek Police Station urgently arrested and is currently investigating two Taiwanese nationals, a man in his 60s (referred to as A) and another in his 40s (referred to as B), on suspicion of violating the Act on the Protection of Military Bases and Installations.
An airshow held at Osan Air Base of the US Air Force Korea in Pyeongtaek City during the "Osan Air Power Day 2025." Photo by Yonhap News
A and B are suspected of illegally photographing US military facilities and equipment at the "Osan Air Show 2025" held at Osan Air Base (K-55) in Pyeongtaek City around 9 a.m. on May 10.
Visitors were generally allowed to take photos freely at the airshow. However, for this event, the US military had prohibited entry to nationals of certain countries, including China and Taiwan. Despite this policy, A and B secretly entered the airshow, violating the US military's rules, and committed the offense.
It was confirmed that, prior to the incident, A and B had been denied entry by US military personnel three times but managed to sneak into the airshow by blending in with a group of Koreans. The police apprehended A and B after receiving a report that "suspicious individuals are taking photographs."
After conducting a preliminary investigation, the police determined the case to be serious and proceeded to urgently arrest the two individuals on May 11. The police are currently considering whether to request an arrest warrant for A and B.
A police official stated, "The US military prohibited entry to Chinese and Taiwanese nationals for the airshow, but the suspects violated this policy and entered the venue to commit the offense," adding, "We are currently reviewing how to handle their custody status."
Meanwhile, similar incidents have been occurring repeatedly over the past several months. In March, two Chinese teenagers were caught after taking thousands of photos of fighter jets and other equipment near four South Korea-US military facilities?including K-55, Pyeongtaek Base (K-6), Suwon Air Base, and Cheongju Air Base?as well as near three major international airports: Incheon, Gimpo, and Jeju. The police have obtained testimony that the father of one of these teenagers works in public security and have formally booked and are investigating the case.
In addition, last month, a Chinese father and son were caught taking unauthorized photos near K-55. However, the police determined that there was no violation of current law in their case and allowed them to return home.
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