South Korea Deploys Fighter Jets After Chinese and Russian Warplanes Enter Air Defense Zone

South Korea Lodges Formal Complaint Over Airspace Incursion

South Korea filed an official complaint with Chinese and Russian defense attachés on Wednesday following an incident in which nine military aircraft from both nations entered the country’s air defense identification zone.

Seoul scrambled 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. South Korean officials confirmed the aircraft “did not violate” the nation’s sovereign airspace.

Details of the Military Aircraft Incident

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 cited by South Korean media.

Both sides’ aircraft then regrouped in the airspace near Japan’s Tsushima Island, the official said.

“Our military will actively respond to aircraft activities from neighbouring countries in the Kadiz in compliance with international law,” South Korea’s defense ministry stated Wednesday when lodging the complaint.

Understanding Air Defense Identification Zones

Air defense identification zones are areas where countries require foreign aircraft to identify themselves. These zones differ from sovereign airspace and are not recognized as territorial boundaries under international law.

This marks the second such incident in 2024. In March, Seoul also deployed fighter jets after several Russian warplanes flew into the zone.

Regional Territorial Disputes Add Complexity

The incident touches on multiple territorial disputes in the region:

Dokdo island grouping: Claimed by South Korea, Japan, and North Korea
Ieodo: A submerged rock above South Korea’s Jeju Island disputed between Seoul and Beijing, with both nations including it in their respective air defense zones

China Confirms Joint Military Exercise With Russia

China confirmed Wednesday that its air force conducted a joint patrol with Russia in the East China Sea and Western Pacific airspace.

The exercise was part of an “annual cooperation plan” between Beijing and Moscow to “address regional challenges and maintain regional peace and stability,” said a national defense spokesman.

Pattern of Unannounced Incursions

China and Russia have entered South Korea’s air defense zone without notification on several occasions since 2019, often during similar military exercises.

Russia does not recognize South Korea’s air defense zone, describing it as “unilaterally” established and saying it should therefore not create any legal obligations for other countries.

Key Facts:

9 military aircraft entered South Korea’s air defense zone (7 Russian, 2 Chinese)
South Korea scrambled fighter jets in response
No violation of sovereign airspace occurred
Incident is part of ongoing China-Russia joint military exercises
Russia does not recognize South Korea’s air defense identification zone