On Tuesday, China confirmed the detention of a South Korean citizen suspected of breaching the country’s anti-espionage legislation. This represents the first instance of a Korean national being detained in China since the revised law was enacted last year.
Lin Jian, spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, announced during a press briefing that “a South Korean national has been arrested by Chinese authorities on espionage charges.” He did not provide additional specifics but mentioned that China has informed the Korean Embassy in Beijing to facilitate necessary consular support.
“China is a country governed by the rule of law; we have identified illegal activities in accordance with the law while ensuring the individual’s legal rights are protected,” he stated.
Diplomatic sources indicate that the individual, in their 50s and residing in Hefei, in China’s eastern Anhui province, was arrested late last year under accusations of violating the anti-espionage law. The person is suspected of leaking information related to semiconductors to South Korea, as they were employed at a chip manufacturing company in China.
This incident marks the first time a Korean national has been detained in China on suspicion of breaking the anti-espionage law.
