Chinese teenager suspected of eavesdropping on aviation communications in South Korea
South Korean police are investigating a Chinese teenager suspected of unauthorized eavesdropping on communications between the control tower and aircraft at Jeju Airport. According to The Korea Herald, law enforcement officers are examining him on suspicion of violating the Protection of Communications Secrets Act. The investigation is being conducted without detention.
Eavesdropping on communications
According to Jeju Provincial Police, on August 27 the teenager listened to radio communications between the control tower and aircraft for about 90 minutes. He allegedly used a portable radio at an observation deck on the airport's fourth floor.
Another visitor, who found the young man's behavior suspicious, alerted airport employees. Police then detained the teenager at the scene. According to law enforcement, he arrived in Jeju from China on the same day and brought the device with him.
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Air traffic control frequencies are published in aeronautical information publications because pilots need access to them. Investigators are determining whether the teenager intercepted the communications without permission and for what purpose he monitored them. Such communications may contain instructions and information on takeoffs, landings, taxiing, altitude, and flight direction.
Photographs of military facilities
Police also said that several photographs of at least two military facilities in Gyeonggi Province were found on the teenager's camera. Law enforcement officers are checking whether these images are connected to the eavesdropping on aviation communications.
According to police, the young man had previously traveled to South Korea several times without a guardian or escort. He was barred from leaving the country for the duration of the investigation. Jeju Airport has the status of a nationally important Class A facility — the highest category in the country's security system.
