Exterior view of the Suwon District Court and Suwon High Court. Yonhap News. 

Taiwanese nationals who entered an airshow event at a US military base in South Korea and took unauthorized photos of fighter jets have received suspended prison sentences in their appeals.

The appellate division of the Suwon District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Byung-soo) on the 17th dismissed the prosecution's appeal and upheld the original sentence for two Taiwanese nationals, identified as Mr. A (60s) and Mr. B (40s), who were charged with violating the Protection of Military Bases and Installations Act.

The first trial, held on July 22, sentenced them each to one year and six months in prison, suspended for three years.

The appellate court stated, "The defendants appear to have known in advance that they were not permitted to enter military installations and take photographs, and they had previously been prevented from entering military facilities. Despite this, the defendants not only entered the military facilities but also took numerous photographs, necessitating appropriate punishment."

However, the court added, "Fortunately, all photos taken by the defendants were confiscated and are unlikely to have been leaked externally. They were detained for a considerable period after their arrest in May and remain in protective custody for foreigners, indicating they have had ample opportunity for reflection. Considering these circumstances, the original sentence does not appear to be unduly lenient."

Mr. A and Mr. B were indicted for illegally entering the Osan Air Base (K-55) in Pyeongtaek, a US military facility, around 10 a.m. on May 10, without base commander approval, and using cameras to take approximately 10 photos of military facilities, including fighter jets.

The US military had prohibited citizens from certain countries, including China and Taiwan, from entering the airshow during this event.

It was investigated that Mr. A and his associate secretly entered the airshow venue by blending in with Korean attendees through a domestic entrance, despite being denied entry by the US military on three separate occasions.

Yonhap News