Chinese, Russian planes enter Kadiz in coordination

Russia’s Tu-95 strategic bomber, top, and China’s H-6 bomber, above. [JOONGANG ILBO]

Two Chinese and six Russian warplanes entered Korea's air defense identification zone (Kadiz) Wednesday, seemingly in coordination.

Korea’s Air Force immediately scrambled F-15K fighters and sent them to the scene, said Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).

At 5:48 a.m., two Chinese H-6 bombers flew into the Kadiz from around 126 kilometers northwest of Ieodo, submerged reefs south of Jeju Island, said the JCS. The planes flew eastward and left the Kadiz at 6:13 a.m.

They re-entered the Kadiz from northeast of Pohang at 6:44 a.m., flew north and exiting the zone at 7:07 a.m.

Later in the day, six Russian military aircraft — four Tupolev Tu-95 bombers and two Sukhoi Su-35 fighters — joined by the two Chinese H-6 bombers, flew into the Kadiz from 200 kilometers northeast of Ulleung Island in the East Sea at 12:18 p.m. and flew southeast of the Dokdo islets.

They exited the zone at 12:36 p.m.

The two Chinese bombers and two Russian Tu-95 bombers flew in a southwest direction along the outskirts of Kadiz in the East Sea. The other four Russian aircraft headed in a northward direction.

Russia and China appeared to be conducting a combined air exercise.

South Korean military aircraft, including F-15K fighter jets, were sent to the scene ahead of the Chinese and Russian planes entering the Kadiz, according to the JCS, “as a tactical measure to prepare for any potential contingencies.”

The military aircraft did not violate Korea’s airspace, said the JCS.

Air defense identification zones, or ADIZ, are unilaterally set by countries, aren’t subject to international treaties or agreements and are larger than traditional national air spaces. Some countries require aircraft that enter the zones to provide identification and flight plans, but usually only if they are headed to a destination in that country, not if they’re just passing through.

However, it is customary for foreign aircraft entering an ADIZ established by a country to obtain prior permission from its military authorities.

Russia doesn’t recognize other countries' ADIZs.

China’s ADIZ overlaps Korea’s and Japan’s at points where the countries have disputes over claims, such as Ieodo, underwater reefs that belong in waters that both Seoul and Beijing claim.

Chinese and Russian military aircraft have entered the Kadiz since 2019.

Japan’s Defense Ministry said it scrambled its fighter jets after two Chinese bombers and two suspected Russian planes flew over the East Sea later Wednesday.

Two Chinese bombers and four Russian military aircraft entered the Kadiz on May 24.

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]