South Korea has lodged a complaint with the Chinese and Russian defence attaches based in the country, a day after their warplanes entered its air defence zone. Seoul said it sent up fighter jets to take tactical measures in preparation for any emergencies after seven Russian and two Chinese military aircraft briefly entered the zone on Tuesday, but noted they did not violate South Korea's airspace.
Some countries delineate air identification defence zones, wherein they require foreign planes to identify themselves. These are not part of sovereign airspaces under international law. In March, South Korea also deployed fighter jets after several Russian warplanes flew into the zone.
The Russian aircraft entered Korea's Air Defense Identification Zone (Kadiz) near Ulleung Island and Dokdo, while the Chinese aircraft entered near Ieodo, according to a Joint Chiefs of Staff official. Both sides' aircraft then regrouped in the airspace near Japan's Tsushima Island.
Our military will actively respond to aircraft activities from neighbouring countries in the Kadiz in compliance with international law, South Korea's defence ministry said on Wednesday when lodging the complaint. Both Japan and South Korea have laid claims to the Dokdo island grouping, as has North Korea. Ieodo, a submerged rock above the South Korean island of Jeju, remains a point of dispute between Seoul and Beijing.
China confirmed that its air force had conducted a joint patrol with Russia in the East China Sea and Western Pacific airspace. This exercise was part of an annual cooperation plan between Beijing and Moscow to address regional challenges and maintain regional peace and stability, according to a national defence spokesman.
Since 2019, China and Russia have entered South Korea's air defence zone without notification on several occasions, often during joint exercises, with Russia not recognizing the legitimacy of South Korea's ADIZ.
Some countries delineate air identification defence zones, wherein they require foreign planes to identify themselves. These are not part of sovereign airspaces under international law. In March, South Korea also deployed fighter jets after several Russian warplanes flew into the zone.
The Russian aircraft entered Korea's Air Defense Identification Zone (Kadiz) near Ulleung Island and Dokdo, while the Chinese aircraft entered near Ieodo, according to a Joint Chiefs of Staff official. Both sides' aircraft then regrouped in the airspace near Japan's Tsushima Island.
Our military will actively respond to aircraft activities from neighbouring countries in the Kadiz in compliance with international law, South Korea's defence ministry said on Wednesday when lodging the complaint. Both Japan and South Korea have laid claims to the Dokdo island grouping, as has North Korea. Ieodo, a submerged rock above the South Korean island of Jeju, remains a point of dispute between Seoul and Beijing.
China confirmed that its air force had conducted a joint patrol with Russia in the East China Sea and Western Pacific airspace. This exercise was part of an annual cooperation plan between Beijing and Moscow to address regional challenges and maintain regional peace and stability, according to a national defence spokesman.
Since 2019, China and Russia have entered South Korea's air defence zone without notification on several occasions, often during joint exercises, with Russia not recognizing the legitimacy of South Korea's ADIZ.
