U.S. Army Analyst Admits to Selling Military Secrets to China
An intelligence analyst pleads guilty to conspiring with a Hong Kong individual to sell U.S. military information. The case underscores China's aggressive pursuit of sensitive data from military personnel.
A U.S. Army intelligence analyst has admitted to conspiring to sell military secrets to China, according to a statement from the Department of Justice. Korbein Schultz, who possessed top secret clearance, entered a guilty plea to charges including conspiracy to disclose national defense information and bribery of a public official.
The case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by U.S. intelligence agencies in safeguarding sensitive information. The U.S. Army Intelligence Corps, established over a century ago in 1917, continues to grapple with evolving threats to national security.
Schultz allegedly collaborated with an individual residing in Hong Kong, whom he suspected had ties to the Chinese government. This cooperation involved the collection and sharing of national defense information, including classified data and export-controlled technical details related to U.S. military weapons systems, in exchange for financial compensation.
The documents shared by Schultz included:
- An analysis of lessons learned from the Russia-Ukraine conflict, applicable to a potential defense of Taiwan
- Information on Chinese military tactics
- Details about U.S. military satellites
It's worth noting that the Russia-Ukraine war, which began in February 2022, has had significant implications for global military strategies and intelligence gathering.
Robert Wells, FBI Executive Assistant Director, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating:
"Governments like China are aggressively targeting our military personnel and national security information and we will do everything in our power to ensure that information is safeguarded from hostile foreign governments."
The FBI, founded in 1908, plays a crucial role in counterintelligence operations and protecting national security interests.
Schultz reportedly received approximately $42,000 for the information he provided. This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in maintaining the integrity of classified information, especially given the complex history of U.S.-China relations, which have been officially established since 1979.
Matthew G. Olsen, Assistant Attorney General, commented on the severity of Schultz's actions:
"By conspiring to transmit national defense information to a person living outside the United States, this defendant callously put our national security at risk to cash in on the trust our military placed in him."
The U.S. Department of Justice, established in 1870, continues to play a vital role in prosecuting cases related to national security threats.
Schultz is scheduled for sentencing on January 23, 2025, nearly five months from now. This case underscores the ongoing importance of the Espionage Act of 1917 and other legislation designed to protect national security interests in an increasingly complex global landscape.
