South Korean students detained for breaking into U.S. military base

Eight South Korean students, four male and four female, were detained by U.S. military personnel on Tuesday for allegedly breaching the perimeter of Osan Air Base near Seoul. Authorities stated the students shouted anti-U.S. slogans during the incident before being transferred to South Korean custody for investigation.

Police are investigating the students under a law protecting military installations. During questioning, all eight students reportedly invoked their right to remain silent. Slogans allegedly heard at the site included, “Let’s smash U.S. 7th Air Force.” A U.S. military statement confirmed the unauthorized entry attempt through the main gate, emphasizing that such actions are taken "extremely seriously" and will be handled according to U.S. and South Korean laws.

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Let’s smash U.S. 7th Air Force.

The Korean Progressive University Student Union claimed on Facebook that the detained individuals were members protesting the U.S. military's alleged opposition to a South Korean semiconductor cluster project. South Korean police declined to comment on this statement, and the U.S. military did not address it. Yonhap news agency reported that the U.S. considers the planned relocation of a military airport, linked to the semiconductor project, to be of significant interest.

South Korea hosts approximately 28,500 U.S. troops, a presence stemming from the Korean War armistice. While a majority of South Koreans consistently support the U.S.-South Korean military alliance in surveys, the U.S. military's role and historical presence have also fueled anti-U.S. sentiment among segments of the population. This incident echoes a 2019 event where four students were arrested for breaking into the U.S. ambassador's residence in Seoul.

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unauthorized attempts to access a U.S. military installation are taken extremely seriously.