South Korea lodged a formal protest with China and Russia after their warplanes entered its air‑defence zone, prompting a swift response from Seoul’s military. The complaint was filed with the defence attaches of both countries in the South Korean capital a day after the incident. Seoul said the aircraft were spotted before they entered the Korea Air Defence Identification Zone (KADIZ), a broader area where nations monitor aircraft for security reasons.
In reaction, South Korea deployed fighter jets to take tactical measures and prepare for any contingencies. The KADIZ is not the same as sovereign airspace; it is a designated zone where countries can track and respond to aircraft. Beijing confirmed that it had conducted joint drills with Russia’s military as part of “annual cooperation plans,” while Moscow described the exercise as routine, lasting eight hours. During the drill, the Russian and Chinese aircraft were reportedly followed by foreign fighter jets.
This incident is not isolated. Since 2019, China and Russia have regularly flown military aircraft into South Korea’s air‑defence zone without prior notice, citing joint exercises. Similar incursions occurred in November last year, as well as in June and December 2023, and in May and November 2022, each time prompting Seoul to scramble jets.
The South Korean military has vowed to continue responding actively to neighboring countries’ aircraft within the KADIZ, in compliance with international law. Lee Kwang‑suk, director general of the International Policy Bureau at Seoul’s defence ministry, emphasized the importance of adhering to international law in such situations. The episode underscores ongoing regional tensions, with South Korea seeking to protect its airspace while China and Russia conduct joint military exercises. Seoul’s military remains on high alert, ready to respond to any further incursions into its air‑defence zone.
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