Nearly 10 Chinese and Russian military aircraft briefly entered and left South Korea’s Air Defence Identification Zone (KADIZ) above the country’s eastern and southern waters, as confirmed by South Korea’s military. The aircraft, including bombers and fighter jets, entered the KADIZ but did not breach South Korea’s airspace, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) and Yonhap news agency.
South Korea’s military detected the aircraft before their entry into the air defence zone and deployed Air Force fighter jets in readiness for any potential contingencies. The KADIZ serves as a zone for foreign planes to identify themselves, aiming to prevent inadvertent conflicts. This incident coincided with joint air drills between China and Russia, as reported by a JCS official.
Beijing’s defense ministry stated that Chinese and Russian forces conducted their 11th joint strategic aerial patrol to demonstrate their commitment to maintaining regional peace and stability. This event follows a similar occurrence in December last year when Chinese and Russian military planes briefly entered and exited the KADIZ, prompting South Korea to prepare for any unforeseen situations.
Director General Lee Kwang-suk of South Korea’s ministry’s international policy bureau strongly protested the aircraft’s intrusion into the country’s air defence zone. The ministry emphasized its commitment to responding to neighboring countries’ aircraft activities in the KADIZ in accordance with international law. Russia has contested South Korea’s air defence zone, particularly above Ieodo, a submerged rock south of Jeju Island, where Chinese aircraft had previously entered.
Since 2019, China and Russia have periodically flown their military planes into the KADIZ during joint exercises, without prior notification.
