2 Taiwanese receive suspended sentences for filming U.S. warplanes in Korea

Seoul, Aug. 14 (CNA) Two Taiwan nationals arrested in South Korea for illegally filming U.S. military aircraft and facilities have been sentenced to one year and six months in prison, suspended for three years.

The court handed down the sentence after considering that the two men, one in his 40s and the other in his 60s, did not attempt to further collect military information and the photos were not shared.

According to those familiar with the matter, the men will not appeal the ruling.

The two individuals were arrested and detained by local police in May for illegally photographing U.S. military facilities and equipment at an air show held at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, about 60 kilometers south of Seoul.

While visitors were generally free to take photos at the event, the air show was closed to citizens of certain countries, including China and Taiwan, due to past incidents in which Chinese nationals were caught illegally filming South Korean military facilities, raising security concerns.

Despite being prevented from entering the air show venue on three separate occasions on the day of the arrest, the men managed to sneak in by mingling in a group of South Korean visitors.

They claimed in court to have filmed at the base out of curiosity.

The South Korean Ministry of Justice said local authorities responsible for immigration and foreign national management have the power to deport any foreign national sentenced to imprisonment or a more severe penalty.

Permission for reentry will be decided according to relevant regulations and on a case-by-case basis, it added.

In response to the case, the Taipei Mission in South Korea urged Taiwanese nationals to comply with local laws when abroad.