MK sport South Korea, on January 15, 2025. Photo: VCG" src="https://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/0/attachment/2025/2025-01-15/c843ad08-0234-49ac-a2fc-f239855114ae.jpeg" />

A screen displays a news report on the arrest of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol at Seoul Station in Seoul, South Korea, on January 15, 2025. Photo: VCG

US Forces Korea denied reports spread by online media outlet Sky Daily claiming that 99 Chinese spies were captured by US forces and sent to Japan when martial law was invoked, stating that such allegations are "entirely false," South Korea media reported.

In a public statement released Monday, the US Forces Korea stated, "The depiction of US Forces and the allegations in the mentioned ROK media article are entirely false," according to South Korean newspaper Hankyoreh.

The statement continued, "US Forces Korea remains committed to [its] mission of maintaining stability and security on the Korean Peninsula in accordance with the US-ROK Mutual Defense Treaty. We urge responsible reporting and fact-checking to prevent the spread of misinformation that could harm public trust."

The media article refers to a Sky Daily article published on Thursday titled "99 Chinese Spies Working at the National Election Commission Transported to Japan." The outlet wrote, "On Dec. 3, 2024, South Korean martial law troops, in a joint operation with US Forces Korea, raided the National Election Commission (NEC) and arrested 99 Chinese nationals, who were then deported to the US Army base in Okinawa via the port of Pyeongtaek-Dangjin."

The South Korean National Election Commission on Friday denied the report in a public statement, as did the National Office of Investigation, the police body that is currently involved in the joint probe into South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, according to Korean Herald.

On December 12, 2024, addressing to the nation, Yoon mentioned the cases of Chinese nationals threatening the South Korea's national security. He also said that China's solar facilities will destroy forests across the country.

In response, Mao Ning, spokesperson from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the same day that "We are surprised by those comments and find them deeply upsetting. We will not comment on the ROK's domestic affairs, but we absolutely oppose the ROK side associating its domestic affairs with Chinese elements, amplifying unfounded 'Chinese spy' accusations and throwing mud at normal economic and trade cooperation. None of these are conducive to a healthy and steady China-ROK relationship."

Global Times