In late July, military and intelligence authorities identified that surveillance cameras, supplied by a South Korean company, were actually produced in China
The South Korean military has removed more than 1,300 surveillance cameras installed at several military bases, including those near the border with North Korea, after discovering that the equipment was made in China. A military official confirmed the action, citing security concerns as the primary reason for the removal.
In late July, military and intelligence authorities identified that surveillance cameras, supplied by a South Korean company, were actually produced in China. This revelation came during routine equipment inspections. Promptly, the military began uninstalling the cameras and replacing them with domestically produced alternatives. So far, around 100 new cameras have already been installed.
A military official explained the reason behind the swift response, stating, “The CCTVs at issue were found to be designed to be able to transmit recorded footage externally by connecting to a specific Chinese server. No data has actually been leaked.”
The surveillance cameras were not being used for monitoring the sensitive border with North Korea. Instead, they were deployed at military training grounds and along the perimeters of base fences. However, the potential for external access to these cameras raised red flags.
The company that supplied the cameras is now suspected of falsifying documents to misrepresent the equipment’s country of origin. The military is currently considering taking legal action against the supplier to address the issue.
With the replacement of the Chinese-made cameras underway, the South Korean military remains focused on maintaining strict security protocols and preventing any vulnerabilities that could be exploited by foreign actors.
