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| South Korea said it scrambled fighter jets as Russian and Chinese warplanes briefly entered its air defence identification zone. Moscow doesn't recognize the Korea ADIZ, while Beijing said the area isn't territorial airspace and all countries should enjoy the freedom of movement there. (Photo by=AFP/File/KIM JAE-HWAN) |
[아시아뉴스통신=레악카나 기자] SEOUL: South Korea's military said it scrambled fighter jets after at least four Chinese and four Russian warplanes entered its air defense zone on Tuesday (May 24). Japan's Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi said his country also scrambled jets after Russian and Chinese warplanes neared its airspace when Tokyo was hosting the leaders of the Quad grouping of countries.
The Russian and Chinese aircraft entered and left the Korea Air Defence Identification Zone (Korea ADIZ) in the Sea of Japan, known in Korea as the East Sea, several times throughout the day, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). The aircraft, which included fighter jets and bombers from each side, did not violate South Korea's airspace, the JCS added.
The South Korean military deployed air force fighters to "implement tactical measures" to brace for a potential contingency. Unlike airspace, an ADIZ is usually an area where countries may unilaterally demand that foreign aircraft take special steps to identify themselves, with no international laws governing ADIZs. Tuesday's incursion was the first reported since new South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol took office on May 10. Japan's Kishi, speaking at a news conference that was shown online, said the move by Russia and China was likely a provocation by the two countries at the time of the Quad.
