Suspect's camera also contained photos of military facilities in Gyeonggi Province, police say

Domestic flight passengers arrive at Jeju Airport on Aug. 30. (Yonhap)
Domestic flight passengers arrive at Jeju Airport on Aug. 30. (Yonhap)

A Chinese teenager arrested while allegedly listening to air traffic control communications at Jeju Airport had multiple photographs of military facilities on his camera, prompting police to examine whether the two were connected.

The Jeju Provincial Police Agency said Tuesday it was investigating the teenager without detention on suspicion of violating the Protection of Communications Secrets Act.

The teenager allegedly used a handheld radio to listen for about 90 minutes to communications between the airport’s control tower and aircraft from the fourth-floor observation deck on Aug. 27.

Another visitor who found his behavior suspicious alerted airport staff, and police arrested him at the scene.

Police said the teenager had arrived in Jeju from China earlier that day and brought the radio with him. Similar devices are available on Chinese online shopping platforms for about 43,000 won ($32), according to media reports.

Air traffic control frequencies are publicly listed in aeronautical information publications because pilots need access to them. The investigation therefore centers on whether the teenager intercepted the communications without authorization and why he was monitoring them.

Such communications can include instructions and information concerning takeoffs, landings, taxiing, altitude and flight direction.

Police said the teenager had previously entered Korea several times without a guardian or companion. A camera in his possession contained multiple photographs of at least two military facilities in Gyeonggi Province.

The teenager has been barred from leaving Korea while the investigation continues.

Jeju Airport is designated as a Grade A nationally important facility, the highest category under Korea’s security classification system.


shwang9@heraldcorp.com