China confirms detention of S. Korean nationwide on suspected espionage fees

China confirmed Tuesday that it has detained a South Korean citizen on suspicion of violating the nation’s anti-espionage legislation, marking the primary case the place a South Korean nationwide has been arrested in China for the reason that revised legislation took impact final 12 months.

“A South Korean nationwide was arrested by Chinese language authorities on fees of espionage,” Lin Jian, a spokesperson at China’s overseas ministry, instructed a press briefing, with out disclosing different particulars.

He mentioned China has notified the South Korean Embassy in Beijing of the incident in a bid to assist it present essential consular help.

“As a law-governing nation, China has detected criminality in accordance with the legislation whereas guaranteeing the particular person’s professional rights,” he mentioned.

The 50-something particular person, dwelling in Hefei, in China’s japanese province of Anhui, was arrested late final 12 months on fees of violating the anti-espionage legislation, in response to diplomatic sources.

Chinese language authorities are believed to have suspected the particular person of leaking semiconductor-related data to South Korea as the person was working at a chipmaker in China.

It marked the primary time {that a} South Korean nationwide was arrested in China on suspicion of violating the anti-espionage legislation.

China revised the anti-espionage legislation by broadening the which means of espionage actions and the scope of its software. The revised legislation took impact in July final 12 months.

The legislation bars the switch of knowledge associated to “nationwide safety and pursuits,” spawning considerations that individuals working at overseas corporations in China might face punishment regardless of regular enterprise actions. (Yonhap)