On guard against drones
Last month, the Busan Metropolitan Police Agency in South Korea launched an investigation into three Chinese students on charges of contravening the Protection of Military Bases and Installations Act. This came after the students were arrested on June 25 for allegedly using a drone to take pictures of the US Navy aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt while it was docked at the naval base in Busan. Similar incidents that have occurred in various countries show that we cannot overlook the national security threat posed by drones.
The suspects in the Busan incident claimed that they were only taking photographs of the US aircraft carrier and navy base out of curiosity. However, in such a highly sensitive area, this kind of behavior is sure to be seen as a potential threat. Whether people do it out of curiosity or for more complex motives, any such behavior will definitely have serious consequences. Especially in today’s context of heightened geopolitical tensions, any unauthorized act involving military installations might be viewed as potential espionage, which is a matter of international concern.
Such incidents are not confined to a single country. With the spread of drone technology, similar situations have become common around the world. One such incident occurred in the US in January, when a Chinese student used a drone to photograph US Navy vessels at several shipyards in Virginia.
As well as sparking heightened alarm in the US, this incident demonstrates the double-edged nature of drones in the military and security fields. While they can be used for legitimate commercial and recreational activities, they can also be used inappropriately, making them a potential threat. This leaves governments and militaries with no choice but to tighten control over drones to prevent sensitive information from leaking out.
These incidents serve as a reminder that technological advances pose ever-more complex challenges to national security. While drones are a popular consumer product, the potential threat that they pose needs to be taken more seriously. We must recognize that, in an open society, finding a balance between technological advancement and protecting national security will continue to be an important task.
These incidents of drone spy photography re-emphasize the double-edged effect of technological advances. While enjoying the convenience brought by technology, we must also remain vigilant against any security risks that it might pose. We must strive to formulate reasonable laws and policies to prevent the inappropriate use of technology, and protect the nation’s security and interests.
Liu Yen
Taipei
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