Chinese, Russian military aircraft enter Kadiz, South Korea scrambles fighter jets

A file photo of a military aircraft entering Korea’s air defense zone, or Kadiz. [JOONGANG PHOTO]

South Korea scrambled fighter jets after Chinese and Russian military aircraft enter Korea's air defense zone (Kadiz) on Thursday.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said six Chinese and Russian military aircraft entered the Kadiz between 11:53 a.m. and 12:10 p.m. before departing the zone. It added that the aircraft didn't violate Korea's air space.

The Korean Air Force immediately scrambled fighter jets to the scene.

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.

It is international practice for military aircraft entering another country's ADIZ to submit a flight plan in advance and notify its location upon entry.

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, often under the pretext of joint drills.

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