| A Russian BASE jumper jumps out of a high rise in Busan, Saturday, in this YouTube captured image. / Yonhap |
By Kim Hyun-bin
Two Russians have been banned from leaving Korea for a maximum of 10 days while an investigation is underway into their unauthorized parachuting off two high-rise buildings in Busan, according to Busan Haeundae Police Station, Wednesday.
The police found the two at a guesthouse in the southeastern port city Tuesday and asked them to come in for questioning voluntarily ― which they agreed to do. They were later booked without physical detention and police requested the immigration office issue a temporary travel ban, which was approved.
"We warned the two that any future jumps from any building in the country could lead to their arrest," a police officer said.
The two are BASE (building, antenna, span and earth) jumpers, which involves parachuting from fixed structures. Due to the relatively lower heights of the jumps, BASE jumping is significantly more dangerous than skydiving from a plane.
The two men, in their 30s, allegedly entered and parachuted off the roof of a 40-story office building Saturday evening, landing on the roof of a nearby discount store. They also allegedly launched another jump off a 42-story hotel building in the afternoon the following day, and posted footage on social media, according to police.
The jumpers got past security features such as key card systems by following guests and residents through locked doors and onto elevators. After entering the buildings, they had easy access to the rooftops as the country's Fire Services Act requires all rooftops to be accessible as a fire safety precautionary measure.
Police officers said the two jumpers entered Korea, Nov. 6, with a plan to jump off the 101-floor, 413-meter high, LCT building in Busan. The pair had already visited and made inspections of the building in preparation for the jump.
The two have been charged with trespassing, which could result in up to three years in prison or a maximum 5 million won ($4,280) fine.
"They said they did not know what they were doing was illegal here, but it is clear they got unauthorized access to the buildings," the officer said.
Experts say there is a high possibility the two will be fined ― the payments need to be made to lift the travel ban, which is usually applied to foreigners who don't live here.
The pair were previously punished in a similar case in China.
In April last year, the two were confined for 10 days after parachuting off China's highest skyscraper the 513 meters tall China Zun in Beijing.
The two jumpers are well-known for publicizing their adventures on social media, with many video clips posted showing their previous jumps from high-rise buildings across the globe, including the ones in Busan.