▲ A file photo of the National Intelligence Service headquarters in southern Seoul (Yonhap)

(LEAD) Chinese man-drone filming

(LEAD) Chinese man released from police custody after questioning over filming NIS building with drone

(ATTN: UPDATES with police briefing in last 4 paras)

SEOUL, Nov. 11 (Yonhap) -- A Chinese man was released from police custody after being questioned on suspicion of filming the headquarters of the state spy agency using a drone, police said Monday.

The Chinese national in his 40s was released late Sunday, a day after he was caught by the police for appearing to film the National Intelligence Service (NIS) headquarters in southern Seoul in violation of the Aviation Safety Act.

Police said the man appeared to have filmed the NIS building while taking drone footage of the nearby Heolleung and Illeung Royal Tombs, the historical burial grounds of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).

"The suspect was released last night after a preliminary determination was made that he could not be linked to communist charges," a police official said during a regular press briefing, referring to acts that threaten national security.

Police plan to continue looking into the case, with the suspect currently banned from leaving the country.

The man reportedly told police he was trying to film the royal tombs out of a deep interest in world heritage sites, with plans to film temples and other places in the country as well.

The man was also found to have headed straight to the tombs in a rented car after entering the country through Incheon International Airport on Saturday.

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