Chinese teen booked in Jeju for eavesdropping on air traffic control

A Chinese teenager was booked in Jeju on suspicion of illegally eavesdropping on air traffic control at Jeju International Airport on Aug. 27. Police said he used a private transceiver for 90 minutes from the observation deck and was apprehended after a visitor reported him. Investigators are looking into his motive and a possible link to photos of military facilities in Gyeonggi Province. A travel ban has been placed on the suspect.

Police said the suspect arrived from China on the day of the incident with the radio device.

The radio was reportedly sold on a Chinese website for about 43,000 won, or $32.

The suspect had previously entered Korea multiple times unaccompanied.

His camera contained numerous photos of at least two military facilities in Gyeonggi Province.

Jeju International Airport was described as a Class A national security facility.

Published Sep 15, 2026 3:07 pm KST

An overview of Jeju International Airport seen from the control tower / Couretsy of Jeju Regional Office of Aviation

JEJU — A Chinese teenager has been booked on suspicion of using a private transceiver to illegally eavesdrop on air traffic control at an airport on the southern island of Jeju, local police said Tuesday.

The suspect allegedly used a radio to secretly listen to tower-aircraft communications for 90 minutes on Aug. 27 from the observation deck of Jeju International Airport, a Class A national security facility, according to the Jeju Provincial Police Agency.

Police apprehended the teenage boy at the scene after a visitor grew suspicious and notified authorities.

An investigation showed the teenager arrived from China on the day of the incident with the radio, which is reportedly sold on a Chinese website for about 43,000 won ($32).

The teenager was also found to have previously entered Korea multiple times unaccompanied. His camera contained numerous photos of at least two military facilities in Gyeonggi Province, which surrounds Seoul.

Police said they have placed a travel ban on the suspect and that they are looking into his motives, and any possible link between the eavesdropping and filming of military facilities, which might have national security implications.

8月27日，一名中国青少年因涉嫌在济州国际机场非法窃听空中交通管制而被捕。警方称，他使用私人对讲机在观景台上窃听了90分钟，后被一名游客举报。调查人员正在调查他的作案动机以及他是否与京畿道军事设施照片有关。目前，该嫌疑人已被禁止出境。

警方称，嫌疑人事发当天从中国携带无线电装置抵达。

据报道，这台收音机在中国网站上的售价约为 43,000 韩元，约合 32 美元。

该嫌疑人此前曾多次独自入境韩国。

他的相机里有很多照片，至少有两处位于京畿道的军事设施。

济州国际机场被列为甲级国家安全设施。

发布于2026年9月15日下午3:07（韩国标准时间）

从控制塔看到的济州国际机场概览 / 图片由济州航空局提供

济州岛——当地警方周二表示，一名中国青少年因涉嫌使用私人收发器非法窃听济州岛南部某机场的空中交通管制而被拘留。

据济州地方警察厅称，嫌疑人涉嫌于 8 月 27 日在济州国际机场（甲级国家安全设施）的观景台上，使用无线电秘密监听塔台与飞机之间的通讯长达 90 分钟。

一名访客起了疑心并通知了警方，警方随后在现场逮捕了这名少年。

调查显示，这名青少年在事发当天从中国抵达，并携带了这台收音机。据报道，这台收音机在中国网站上的售价约为 43,000 韩元（32 美元）。

警方还发现这名青少年此前曾多次独自入境韩国。他的相机里有大量照片，照片内容至少涉及京畿道（首尔周边地区）的两处军事设施。

警方表示，他们已对嫌疑人实施旅行禁令，并正在调查其作案动机，以及窃听和拍摄军事设施之间是否存在任何可能的联系，这可能对国家安全产生影响。