South Korea has issued a formal protest to Russia and China over the alleged entry of their aircraft into the country’s air defense identification zone (KADIZ) during a joint military patrol on December 9.
Director of the Department of International Policy Lee Kwang-seok stated that he expressed serious concerns to the military attaches of China and Russia stationed in South Korea regarding the incident.
The South Korean government confirmed Chinese and Russian aircraft entered the KADIZ during a joint flight lasting approximately eight hours. Fighter cover was provided by Russian Su-30SM and Su-35S aircraft, as well as Chinese Jian-16 jets.
Lee Kwang-seok added that the South Korean military will continue to respond to actions by neighboring countries’ aviation in the region.
The Russian Defense Ministry asserted that all operations were conducted strictly in accordance with international law without violating air borders.
