Beijing: China confirmed Tuesday that it has detained a South Korean citizen on suspicion of violating the country’s anti-espionage law, Beijing’s foreign ministry said, marking the first arrest of a South Korean national on such a charge. China has notified the South Korean Embassy in Beijing of the incident related to the arrest, according to Lin Jian, a spokesperson at China’s foreign ministry.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lin Jian stated, “As a law-governing country, China has detected an illegal activity in accordance with the law while guaranteeing the person’s legitimate rights.” The individual, reportedly in their 50s and residing in Hefei, Anhui Province, is believed to have been arrested late last year on charges of violating the anti-espionage law.
The incident marks the first time a South Korean national has been arrested in China under suspicion of contravening the anti-espionage law. This development has raised concerns over the safety and legal status of foreign nationals in China, parti
cularly those from South Korea, as diplomatic channels remain engaged in resolving the situation.