Eight South Korean students held over US military base break-in attempt

By Gavin Blackburn Published on 05/08/2026 - 8:38 GMT+2 Share Comments Add Euronews on Google Share Facebook Twitter Flipboard Send Reddit Linkedin Messenger Telegram VK Bluesky Threads Whatsapp Students gathered outside the main hub of the US Air Force in South Korea, arguing the US military's presence in Gwangju could complicate Seoul's major chipmaking project planned there. A group of eight South Korean student protestors were in detention and under investigation on Wednesday after trying to break into a US air base, police and the American military said. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The Korean Progressive University Student Union posted social media images of its Tuesday demonstration outside the Osan Air Base, about 50 kilometres south of Seoul. Members gathered outside the main hub of the US Air Force in South Korea, arguing the US military's presence in the southern city of Gwangju could complicate Seoul's major chipmaking project planned there. Eight people were detained on Tuesday after they "attempted to unlawfully enter Osan Air Base through the installation's main gate," a US military statement sent to the AFP news agency said. The military "transferred them to the Korean National Police, who have assumed custody and are conducting the appropriate investigative procedures," it added. South Korean police told AFP the students are being held in detention but have refused to speak during questioning. A US soldier takes part in a joint aerial drills called Vigilant Ace between US and South Korea at the Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, 6 December, 2017 AP Photo The student group in a statement on Facebook condemned the US military's "interruption" of a chip cluster project slated for Gwangju. South Korea has benefitted hugely from the AI boom driving manufacturing profits for its chipmaking firms, particularly SK hynix and Samsung Electronics. The Gwangju Military Airbase is the site designated for a new 800 trillion won (€485 billion) manufacturing hub for the two companies. The president's office said last month that Seoul and Washington have begun consultations about relocating the airport, part of which is used by the US military. Washington stations about 28,500 troops in South Korea to bolter Seoul's defences against military threats from Pyongyang. Related North Korea fires projectiles including ballistic missile into Yellow Sea, Seoul saysNorth Korea's Kim calls on military to bolster frontline defences against 'arch enemy' The US military presence has long fuelled anti-American sentiment among some, with issues including the exploitation of Korean women who work in camp towns serving US troops. In 2019, nearly 20 South Korean students, associated with a pro-Pyongyang group, broke into the US ambassador's residence in Seoul. Four of them were arrested over the apparent protest against Washington's demands that Seoul increase its contributions to the costs of defending the South. Go to accessibility shortcuts Share Comments Add Euronews on Google Read more Samsung profit jumps 1,814% as South Korean tech giants benefit from global AI boom South Korean law targeting 'fake news' takes effect as journalists' groups raise concerns North Korean soldier suspected of defecting crosses demilitarised zone into South Korea Students Protest North Korea United States South Korea military base