15-12-2023 (SEOUL) South Korea’s defence ministry expressed its regret and lodged a formal protest to China and Russia on Thursday for the intrusion of their military aircraft into South Korea’s air defence zone. The ministry’s head of the international policy bureau conveyed the protest to the military attaches stationed at the Chinese and Russian embassies in Seoul, as stated in a ministry press release.
In the statement, the ministry expressed its regret to both countries regarding the flight that took place near South Korea’s sensitive areas without prior notice.
The incident occurred when two Chinese and four Russian military planes flew over the sea between South Korea and Japan, entering their respective air defence zones. In response, South Korea and Japan scrambled fighter jets to address the situation.
The Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) is an area where countries can unilaterally demand that foreign aircraft take specific identification measures, as outlined by the International Civil Aviation Organization.
While Moscow does not recognize South Korea’s air defence zone, Beijing has stated that the zone is not territorial airspace and that all countries should enjoy freedom of movement within it.
This latest incident highlights the ongoing tensions in the region regarding air defence zones and territorial boundaries. South Korea remains committed to protecting its airspace and ensuring the safety of its borders, while also maintaining diplomatic channels to address such intrusions and seek peaceful resolutions.
