A Kenyan asylum seeker was detained by police for flying a drone near Osan Air Base, home to US Air Force units stationed in South Korea.
The Gyeonggi Southern Police Agency's security investigation unit said Wednesday it is investigating the man, identified only as A, in his 20s, on charges of violating the Aviation Safety Act.
A is accused of flying a lightweight drone equipped with a camera in a residential area in Pyeongtaek at approximately 1:10 p.m. on Tuesday.
The suspect flew the drone near his residence, which is located approximately 900 meters from Osan Air Base (K-55), a US military installation in South Korea.
Police dispatched to the scene following a witness report apprehended A on site.
A told investigators he was "test-flying the drone before sending it as a gift to a friend back home."
Police said footage recovered from the drone's camera showed only residential areas, with no images of the military base found.
"Given the apparent lack of intent to photograph military facilities, we are considering an administrative fine rather than criminal prosecution," a police official said.