Seoul: Seven foreigners have been apprehended for illegally filming South Korea's military facilities this year, according to government data released on Thursday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the National Police Agency provided data to Rep. Yoo Yong-won of the main opposition People Power Party, revealing that four of the individuals were Chinese nationals and three were Taiwanese nationals. The incidents occurred at various sensitive military locations across South Korea.

In March, two Chinese tourists were caught taking photographs of military aircraft at bases located in Suwon, Pyeongtaek, and Osan. This incident raised concerns about the security of military installations and prompted increased vigilance.

A more significant breach occurred on May 10, when two Taiwanese nationals illegally entered Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, approximately 60 kilometers south of Seoul. They were found photographing military aircraft and equipment, leading to their arrest. The individuals were subsequently sentenced to 18 months in prison, with the sentence suspended for three years.

Later in May, a Taiwanese student was found filming a National Intelligence Service facility using a mobile phone. This incident further highlighted the ongoing challenges in safeguarding sensitive installations from unauthorized recording activities.

In a separate case in August, two Chinese nationals were apprehended for illegally filming inside the Navy's Task Fleet Command headquarters at a naval base on Jeju Island. Authorities discovered videos of the interior of the base in their possession.

These incidents underscore the ongoing efforts by South Korean authorities to maintain the security of military sites and prevent unauthorized access or documentation. The government continues to work towards strengthening measures to protect its military facilities from potential security breaches.