Chinese students ‘spy’ on 100,000-ton aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt in South Korea; detained

On July 23, South Korea announced that three Chinese students had been arrested for illegally filming a U.S. aircraft carrier with a drone. The incident occurred last month when the carrier entered the port of Busan.

According to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, Busan National Police said the students, aged between 30 and 40, were being investigated for violating the law on the protection of military bases and military facilities.

The students reportedly used a drone to capture footage of the 100,000-ton USS Theodore Roosevelt docked near the Naval Operations Command’s Busan Operational Base in Yongho-dong, Nam-gu, Busan on June 25.

The drone hovered above the aircraft carrier for about five minutes before being spotted by patrol soldiers. The USS Theodore Roosevelt had arrived in South Korea for joint military exercises involving South Korea, the United States and Japan.

China scans ‘world’s largest naval base’ in US; US naval base in Norfolk ‘exposed’ by spy satellite

On the day of the incident, South Korean President Yoon Suk-you visited the aircraft carrier to inspect it and meet with South Korean and U.S. military officials.

The detained students, international students studying in South Korea, claimed their actions were motivated by curiosity about the large aircraft carrier.

Authorities have found no evidence that the footage was distributed, but they continue to investigate the students’ motives for filming.

This incident is reminiscent of a similar case in the United States. In June, the US Department of Justice charged a Chinese citizen who used a drone to capture footage of a Virginia shipyard involved in the construction of nuclear submarines for the US Navy.

In July, Shi Fengyun, a 26-year-old student at the University of Minnesota, pleaded guilty to espionage for using a drone to take photographs of US military infrastructure.

Shi admitted to two of six counts of violating the Espionage Act, which prohibits photographing military installations and using unregistered drones in national airspace.

The court has ordered an investigation into Shi’s circumstances and a verdict is expected in late August or September.

Increasing drone threat

The arrest of Chinese students in South Korea for using drones to film a US aircraft carrier underscores a growing trend of Chinese nationals capturing sensitive defense assets of the United States and its allies.

In recent months, a number of disturbing incidents have underscored the potential spying threat posed by drones. In April and May of this year, reports emerged that a Chinese drone had reportedly captured images and videos of the USS Ronald Reagan at Japan’s Yokosuka naval base.

The footage, which circulated on social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), fueled fears of espionage against US military operations. Although a US Navy investigation found no conclusive evidence of drone activity over Ronald Reagan, the authenticity of the footage remains questionable.

Around the same time, other disturbing images emerged. In April, photos and videos emerged of Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force facilities in Yokosuka, as well as a video of the helicopter destroyer JS Izumo docked at the base.

On May 9, 2024, the Japanese Ministry of Defense verified the authenticity of a video allegedly taken by a Chinese drone flying over the JS Izumo. No abnormalities are seen in the footage.

These episodes serve as a reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by military installations and underscore the urgent need for improved protective measures.

Experts are calling for the installation of barriers that can block and disable drone signals when they cross designated perimeters. After these incidents, Japan’s defense chief has also called to enhance anti-drone capabilities.

MiG-31 Foxhound: Why hasn’t Russia’s ‘super interceptor’, which can fire satellites and launch hypersonic missiles, found buyers?

Concerns about drone use are not unprecedented. In 2015, a small drone was found with traces of radiation found it on the roof of the Japanese prime minister’s office, raising fears that unmanned systems could be used in terrorist attacks.

Although the incident did not result in injuries or damage, it did result in a conviction of the drone operator for obstructing business operations. Since then, Japan has implemented strict regulations on drone flights over important public and diplomatic areas, as well as nuclear power plants.

However, recent incidents suggest that Chinese drones have successfully infiltrated sensitive areas and captured images of critical Japanese and U.S. warships. This trend also highlights the urgent need for robust countermeasures to protect military assets from the growing threat of drone-enabled espionage.