§  South Korea Protests Incursion

§  South Korea protests after 9 Chinese & Russian warplanes enter KADIZ

§  Seoul scrambled jets in response

§  Read about the escalating regional tensions

§  Fighter Jets Scrambled Against Chinese and Russian Bombers

Tensions Rise In East Asia: Diplomatic tensions in East Asia flared on Wednesday as South Korea lodged a stern formal protest with Chinese and Russian defense attaches following a provocative military maneuver. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, involved nine foreign warplanes—seven Russian and two Chinese—entering South Korea’s Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ) without prior notification, prompting Seoul to scramble its fighter jets in a tactical response.

The incursion represents the latest in a series of joint military exercises between Beijing and Moscow, signaling a deepening strategic alignment that continues to unsettle US allies in the region. While the aircraft did not violate South Korea’s sovereign territorial airspace, their unannounced presence in the KADIZ—a buffer zone used to identify and monitor approaching aircraft—was viewed by Seoul as a potential security threat requiring immediate “tactical measures”.

The Incident: A coordinated “Joint Patrol”

According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), the sequence of events began on Tuesday when Chinese military aircraft entered the KADIZ near Ieodo, a submerged rock south of Jeju Island that has long been a source of maritime dispute between Seoul and Beijing. Simultaneously, Russian warplanes breached the zone from the north, flying near Ulleung Island and the fiercely contested Dokdo islets.

The JCS official revealed that the two air forces eventually regrouped in the airspace near Japan’s Tsushima Island, demonstrating a high level of interoperability and coordination. In response, the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) immediately deployed fighter jets, including potentially their advanced F-15K or KF-16 models, to track the intruders and prepare for “any emergencies”.

On Wednesday, South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense summoned the defense attaches from both the Chinese and Russian embassies to register a strong objection. “Our military will actively respond to aircraft activities from neighboring countries in the KADIZ in compliance with international law,” the ministry stated, emphasizing their refusal to tolerate unannounced entries that could lead to accidental escalations.

The ADIZ Controversy: Sovereignty vs Identification Zones

To understand the friction, one must distinguish between “territorial airspace” and an “Air Defense Identification Zone” (ADIZ).

Territorial Airspace: The sky directly above a nation’s land and territorial waters (12 nautical miles out). Entering this without permission is an act of aggression.

·       ADIZ: A broader zone established unilaterally by countries to allow time to identify and control foreign aircraft approaching their territory. It is not defined by international law and foreign planes are not legally strictly bound to identify themselves, though it is standard international practice to do so to avoid conflict.

Russia has consistently refused to recognize South Korea’s KADIZ, arguing it was “unilaterally established” and creates no legal obligation for Russian pilots. China, while acknowledging the zone, often dismisses these breaches as routine training. This difference in interpretation turns the KADIZ into a frequent flashpoint for geopolitical posturing.

Beijing and Moscow’s “Strategic Partnership”

China confirmed the incident on Wednesday, framing it not as a provocation but as a scheduled “joint strategic aerial patrol.” A spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense stated that the operation over the East China Sea and Western Pacific was part of an “annual cooperation plan” between the two militaries.

The stated goal was to “address regional challenges and maintain regional peace and stability.” However, analysts view these patrols as a clear signal to the United States and its regional allies, Japan and South Korea. By conducting joint bomber flights, China and Russia are demonstrating their ability to project power together in the Pacific, challenging the US-led security architecture in the region.

This is not an isolated event. Since 2019, Chinese and Russian aircraft have entered the KADIZ multiple times a year, often triggering similar scrambles from South Korea and Japan. In March 2025, Seoul had already deployed jets in response to a similar Russian incursion, highlighting the increasing frequency of these tests.

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Regional Context: Disputed Islands and Rising Tensions

The flight paths chosen by the Russian and Chinese pilots were highly sensitive, traversing areas rife with territorial disputes.

Dokdo/Takeshima: The Russian planes flew near Dokdo, a group of islets controlled by South Korea but claimed by Japan (who call them Takeshima). This area is a diplomatic minefield and military activity there often draws ire from Tokyo as well as Seoul.

Ieodo: The Chinese planes entered near Ieodo (Socotra Rock). While essentially a submerged reef, it houses a South Korean ocean research station. Both China and South Korea include Ieodo in their respective air defense zones, making it a recurring point of friction.

The coordination near Japan’s Tsushima Island further complicates the narrative, potentially drawing Japan Self-Defense Forces into the alert status, essentially testing the response times of both US allies simultaneously.

Key Facts Summary

·       Event: 9 Military aircraft (7 Russian, 2 Chinese) entered South Korea’s KADIZ.

·       Response: South Korea scrambled fighter jets for tactical preparation.

·       Outcome: No territorial airspace violation; Seoul lodged formal diplomatic protest.

·       Locations: Near Dokdo (contested), Ulleung Island and Ieodo (submerged rock).

·       China’s Stance: Annual “joint strategic patrol” for regional stability.

·       Russia’s Stance: Does not recognize KADIZ; claims international airspace rights.

·       Frequency: Regular occurrences since 2019.

Conclusion: A Delicate Balance in the Skies

The protest lodged by South Korea serves as a diplomatic warning but it is unlikely to deter future patrols. As China and Russia deepen their military ties to counter perceived Western containment, the skies over East Asia are becoming increasingly crowded and dangerous.

For South Korea, caught between its security alliance with the US and its geographical proximity to these two giants, the KADIZ serves as the first line of defense. The swift scrambling of jets demonstrates Seoul’s readiness, but the recurring nature of these “joint patrols” suggests that the KADIZ will remain a theater of great power competition for the foreseeable future. With no international treaty governing ADIZs, the risk of miscalculation remains a sobering reality for all nations involved.

Call to Action (CTA)

Are we witnessing a new Cold War in the Pacific skies.? The increasing frequency of joint Russian-Chinese bomber patrols is reshaping the security landscape of East Asia.

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