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Diplomatic complaint follows military aircraft incursion
South Korea summoned the defence attachés of China and Russia on Wednesday, one day after nine military aircraft from the two countries flew into its Air Defence Identification Zone (KADIZ) without prior notice.
Fighter jets scrambled but no airspace breach
The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that seven Russian and two Chinese warplanes briefly entered KADIZ on Tuesday. Seoul responded by deploying fighter jets to monitor the situation and prepare for potential emergencies, though officials confirmed the aircraft did not cross into South Korean sovereign airspace.
Under international law, Air Defence Identification Zones are not considered sovereign territory, but countries often require foreign aircraft to identify themselves when entering these areas.
Flight paths and disputed territories
The Russian aircraft entered KADIZ near Ulleung Island and the Dokdo islets, while the Chinese planes approached near Ieodo, a submerged rock south of Jeju Island, according to South Korean military sources. Both groups of aircraft later regrouped near Japan's Tsushima Island.
Dokdo remains a point of contention, with overlapping claims from South Korea, Japan, and North Korea. Meanwhile, Ieodo is disputed between Seoul and Beijing, with both nations including it in their respective air defence zones.
China and Russia confirm joint patrol
On Wednesday, China's Ministry of National Defense acknowledged conducting a joint air patrol with Russia in the East China Sea and Western Pacific. A spokesperson described the exercise as part of an annual cooperation plan aimed at addressing regional security challenges and maintaining stability.
"Our military will actively respond to aircraft activities from neighbouring countries in KADIZ in compliance with international law," South Korea's defence ministry stated.
Historical context and Russian stance
Since 2019, Chinese and Russian military aircraft have entered South Korea's air defence zone multiple times, often during joint exercises. Russia does not recognise KADIZ, arguing that it was established unilaterally and should not impose legal obligations on other nations.
In March of this year, South Korea also scrambled fighter jets after Russian warplanes entered KADIZ, underscoring ongoing tensions in the region.
