South Korea Scrambles Jets as Chinese, Russian Military Planes Enter Air Defense Zone

South Korea's military scrambled fighter jets on Saturday after detecting more than ten Chinese and Russian military aircraft entering its air defense identification zone (KADIZ), the Joint Chiefs of Staff announced.

The aircraft entered and exited the KADIZ over the Sea of Japan and south of the Korean peninsula. While the planes did not violate South Korean airspace, the military stated that fighter jets were deployed to "counter any contingency."

South Korea's military had detected the Chinese and Russian aircraft before they entered the zone. The KADIZ is a buffer zone established for security reasons, where countries identify approaching aircraft. While international practice suggests military planes should notify the relevant country before entering, this procedure is not mandatory.

This latest incursion follows a similar incident in December, when South Korea and Japan strongly criticized a joint flight of nine Russian and Chinese military aircraft near their territories. At that time, Beijing and Moscow cited joint military exercises, with Russia's Defense Ministry stating that "strategic bombers" were involved.

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The South Korean military detected the Chinese and Russian aircraft before their entry into the zone and deployed Air Force fighter jets to counter any contingency.