South Korea has formally registered a diplomatic protest with Chinese and Russian defense officials stationed in Seoul following the unauthorized entry of their military aircraft into Korea’s Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ). The incident occurred on Tuesday when seven Russian and two Chinese warplanes penetrated the designated airspace without prior notification.
According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Russian aircraft entered KADIZ near the disputed Dokdo Islands (known as Takeshima in Japan) and Ulleung Island, while Chinese planes approached near Ieodo, a submerged rock claimed by both Seoul and Beijing. Following their separate entries, the aircraft converged in international airspace near Japan’s Tsushima Island.
The South Korean military promptly deployed fighter jets to monitor the situation and implement tactical preparedness measures, though officials confirmed the aircraft never violated sovereign airspace. This marks the latest in a series of similar incidents since 2019, when Chinese and Russian aircraft began conducting joint patrols in the region.
China’s Defense Ministry confirmed the operation, characterizing it as part of an “annual cooperation plan” with Russia aimed at “addressing regional challenges and maintaining regional peace and stability.” Meanwhile, Russia maintains its longstanding position that it does not recognize South Korea’s unilaterally declared air defense zone, arguing it creates no legal obligations for other nations.
The incident highlights ongoing territorial tensions in Northeast Asia, where multiple nations maintain overlapping claims over islands and maritime boundaries. Both Japan and North Korea join South Korea in claiming sovereignty over the Dokdo Islands, while Ieodo remains a point of contention between China and South Korea.