The Ministry of National Defense announced today that it has lodged a strong protest with China and Russia regarding the unauthorized entry of their military aircraft into the Korea Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ) yesterday.
According to the ministry, Lee Gwang-seok, Director General for International Policy, issued a stern protest to the Chinese and Russian defense attachés in South Korea this afternoon, demanding measures to prevent a recurrence.
The protest and the demand for prevention were reportedly conveyed via telephone.
The ministry stated, "Our military will continue to actively respond to the activities of aircraft from neighboring countries within the KADIZ, in compliance with international law, to protect our airspace."
Japan's Ministry of Defense also criticized the joint China-Russia exercise, stating that it was "intended as a clear demonstration of force against Japan," and added that it had conveyed its grave concerns to both countries through diplomatic channels.
According to the South Korean military, over 10 Chinese and Russian military aircraft entered and exited the KADIZ over the East Sea and the South Sea sequentially yesterday morning.
The Chinese and Russian aircraft, which included bombers and fighter jets, reportedly entered and exited the KADIZ sequentially for about four hours starting at approximately 8:30 a.m. without prior notification.
There was no violation of territorial airspace during this process, but the South Korean military deployed Air Force fighter jets to conduct tactical measures in preparation for any contingencies.
The Chinese Ministry of National Defense later announced the exercise on social media, stating that "the air forces of both countries organized and conducted the 11th joint aerial strategic patrol over the Sea of Japan (East Sea), the East China Sea, and the western Pacific airspace."
This marks the first time in about six months, since last December, that Chinese and Russian military aircraft have entered the KADIZ together.
At that time, nine Chinese and Russian military aircraft participating in a joint exercise also entered and exited the KADIZ over the East Sea and the South Sea.
Since 2019, China and Russia have been sending military aircraft into the KADIZ once or twice a year under the pretext of joint exercises, but they do not provide prior notification.
(Photo: Provided by the Ministry of National Defense, Yonhap News)