25.04.08.Today News : Chinese high school student photographed by fighter jet, child of Chinese public security / 21st Presidential Election Set for June 3
1. Chinese high school student photographed by fighter jet, child of Chinese public security
Two Chinese high school students who were caught by the police for photographing fighter jets near the 10th Fighter Wing of the Air Force in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, were also found to have taken unauthorized photos of U.S. military fighter jets at Pyeongtaek Osan Air Base. Police have obtained a statement that one of the students’ father is a public security officer (police) in China and have launched an investigation into possible espionage activities.
According to the police and national security investigation authorities on the 8th, two Chinese high school students, including a student identified as “A,” used DSLR cameras and smartphones to illegally photograph fighter jets taking off and landing near the Suwon Air Base around 3:30 p.m. on March 21. Police apprehended the students on the 7th and charged them with violating the Protection of Military Bases and Facilities Act. During a background check, authorities obtained a statement that A’s father works in public security.
The students had entered South Korea on tourist visas three days before the incident. Police confirmed dozens of photos of fighter jets taking off and landing at both Pyeongtaek Osan Air Base and Suwon Air Base on the confiscated phones and cameras. Believing that the students may have had intent behind the photography, police, the National Intelligence Service, and other national security-related agencies formed a task force to investigate the matter. The Defense Security Command, which handles counterintelligence in the military, is also considering whether to join the investigation. A Ministry of National Defense official stated, “We received a cooperation request from the police and are currently reviewing the case.”
During the first police questioning on the 7th, student A said, “I took photos of fighter jets near the airbase because photographing planes is my hobby.” However, authorities are skeptical of this statement due to the students’ repeated attempts to photograph only military bases. Investigators are examining the students’ entry details and possible connections to the father’s profession.
Some have raised concerns about the recurring nature of national security-related crimes committed by foreigners and the limitations of the current law, which restricts espionage charges under the National Security Act to actions “in favor of enemy states.” In effect, this law applies only when North Korea is involved, making it inapplicable to cases involving third countries such as China.
In June of last year, three Chinese nationals were arrested for flying a drone near a U.S. aircraft carrier docked in Busan. In November, another Chinese person was caught flying a drone near the National Intelligence Service building, and in January this year, a Chinese national was caught operating a drone over Jeju International Airport.
One-line summary : Two Chinese high school students were caught illegally photographing fighter jets near Suwon and Osan Air Bases, and one of them was found to be the child of a Chinese public security officer, prompting an investigation into potential espionage.
2. 21st Presidential Election Set for June 3
The 21st presidential election, to be held following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol, has been scheduled for June 3.
Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo presided over a regular Cabinet meeting at the Government Complex in Seoul on the morning of the 8th and approved the proposal to set the presidential election date for June 3. To facilitate voter participation, the government has designated the election day as a temporary public holiday.
Following the government's announcement, the National Election Commission (NEC) also released the key election schedule. Presidential candidates nominated by each political party must register with the NEC between May 10 and 11. Public officials intending to run for president must resign by May 4, which is 30 days before the election.
The official campaign period will run from May 12 to June 2, lasting 22 days. Overseas voting will take place from May 20 to 25, and maritime voting will be conducted from May 26 to 29. Early voting will be held on May 29 and 30 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. On election day, voting hours will be from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
With the election date now set, political parties are speeding up their preparations for internal primaries. The People Power Party (PPP) has already formed its election commission as of the 7th. The Democratic Party of Korea plans to form its own commission after Lee Jae-myung steps down from his leadership post on the 9th to run for president.
The government expects to spend approximately 510 billion won on this presidential election. Since the NEC was allocated only 2.9 billion won for election-related expenses this year, the government decided to use part of the contingency fund designated for elections, disasters, and emergencies.