Two Chinese nationals were caught taking photographs near a US military base in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, on Wednesday, just two days after being questioned and released for the same activity, officials said.
On Monday, the pair had been stopped for photographing military facilities and aircraft near Osan Air Base. At the time, police had said there was no evidence of “anti-state activity” and released them without charges.
The same decision was made when the duo were caught taking photographs again Wednesday. Police said no laws had been violated, as the photographs they took showed aircraft in flight, an act that is not illegal.
According to the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency, the US military reported around 11 a.m. Wednesday that the two were photographing aircraft near Osan Air Base, also known as K-55. Officers were dispatched and detained the two on suspicion of violating the Military Facility Protection Act.
Authorities confirmed that the individuals were the same ones involved in Monday’s incident. After an eight-hour joint investigation with the National Intelligence Service and the Defense Counterintelligence Command, police had decided not to press charges, again citing a lack of evidence of anti-state activity. Officials declined to provide further details, citing security concerns.
shinjh@heraldcorp.com
