The Supreme Court’s Second Division confirmed an August ruling against an active-duty sergeant who leaked nonpublic military materials to a Chinese intelligence organization. The soldier received approximately 17.26 million won ($12,500) via Alipay for transmitting classified data on 7 occasions between August 2024 and February 2025. Leaked materials included troop reinforcement plans, names of US bases in Korea, and precision strike targets written by US Forces Korea.

The defendant, a naturalized citizen born in China, met his handler in Beijing in August 2024 after being recruited through Chinese social media. Investigators found the soldier used a hidden wristwatch camera provided by the handler to record materials when a smartphone was inadequate. He was arrested in April 2025 on charges including aiding the enemy, and the ruling includes a 20 million won ($14,500) fine and a 19.07 million won forfeiture.