Upon detention, the students were transferred to the custody of local South Korean law enforcement. Police stated that the individuals are currently under investigation for potential violations of laws protecting military installations. During initial questioning, all eight students invoked their right to remain silent.
Witnesses and police reports indicate the group shouted slogans, including “Let’s smash U.S. 7th Air Force,” while at the site. The U.S. military issued a statement emphasizing that unauthorized attempts to access military installations are treated with extreme seriousness and that the incident will be addressed in accordance with both U.S. and South Korean legal procedures.
The Korean Progressive University Student Union claimed in a Facebook statement that the detained members were protesting against the U.S. military’s alleged opposition to a proposed semiconductor cluster project in the region. While South Korean police declined to comment on the group’s specific claims, Yonhap news agency noted that the U.S. has expressed significant interests in a military airport currently slated for relocation due to the semiconductor development project.
This incident occurs against the backdrop of the long-standing military alliance between Washington and Seoul, which includes approximately 28,500 U.S. troops stationed in the country to deter potential threats from North Korea. While public support for the alliance remains high, the U.S. military presence continues to be a focal point for activist groups. Similar protests have occurred in the past, including a 2019 incident where students broke into the U.S. ambassador’s residence in Seoul to protest defense cost-sharing demands.