China charges US seismologistcharges US seismologist who studied North Korea nuclear tests with espionage
China has detained a U.S.-funded seismologist who studied North Korean nuclear tests and charged him with espionage for nearly two years, according to his wife.
The case gained international attention after U.S. President Trump discussed the detention with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a state visit in May, though Xi promised to look into the matter.
- China has detained foreign nationals in espionage cases since 2018 to pressure foreign governments.
- North Korea conducted six verified nuclear tests between 2006 and 2017, all underground.
- Seismologists detect nuclear tests by measuring shock waves that travel through the Earth's crust.
