South Korea has formally protested to China and Russia after their military aircraft entered its air defense identification zone, Seoul announced on Wednesday.
The protest was delivered to the defence attachés of both nations in the South Korean capital, following what officials described as an unauthorized incursion the previous day.
Lee Kwang-suk, Director-General of the International Policy Bureau at South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense, said:
“Our military will continue to respond actively to the activities of neighbouring countries’ aircraft within the KADIZ, in accordance with international law.”
Seoul said it scrambled fighter jets to take “tactical measures” and prepare for any contingencies as the Chinese and Russian aircraft approached and entered the Korea Air Defence Identification Zone (KADIZ).
The aircraft were detected before entering the zone, which serves as a buffer monitored for security but does not constitute national airspace.
Beijing later confirmed the joint flight, saying it was part of “annual cooperation plans” between the two militaries. Moscow also described the operation as a routine drill, lasting eight hours, adding that foreign fighter jets shadowed their aircraft during the mission.
Since 2019, China and Russia have regularly conducted joint flights through the KADIZ without giving Seoul prior notice, often citing military exercise schedules.
In November last year, South Korea scrambled jets when five Chinese and six Russian military aircraft flew through its air defense zone. Similar incidents were recorded in June and December 2023, and in May and November 2022.
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