On November 29, 2024, South Korea’s military scrambled fighter jets in response to five Chinese and six Russian military planes entering its Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ). The aircraft flew through the KADIZ without violating South Korean airspace, prompting tactical measures from Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff.
- South Korea scrambled jets for Chinese, Russian planes
- Aircraft entered Korea Air Defense Zone, not airspace
- China, Russia conducted joint strategic patrol flights
- South Korea expressed regret over military incursions
- Increased military ties between China and Russia
- North Korea's alliance with China and Russia
The incident occurred between 9:35 am and 1:53 pm local time, with the Chinese and Russian planes entering and exiting the KADIZ over the East Sea and South Sea. The South Korean military reported that it identified the aircraft before their entry and prepared for potential contingencies. An air defense identification zone is a broader area than a country’s airspace, intended for security control over aircraft, though it lacks formal definition in international law.
China’s defense ministry characterized the flights as their ninth joint strategic patrol, which took place above the Sea of Japan. The ministry stated that these operations were conducted according to an annual cooperation plan between the Chinese and Russian militaries. South Korean officials noted that the Chinese aircraft approached the disputed Dokdo islands, while Russian planes also flew towards the same area.
Since 2019, joint military flights by China and Russia into South Korea’s air defense zone have been a recurring event, often conducted without prior notice. The South Korean defense ministry expressed regret over the latest incident and requested measures to prevent future occurrences, emphasizing that such actions could escalate regional tensions. Both China and Russia have strengthened their military ties since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine, and they are also traditional allies of North Korea.
This latest incident underscores the ongoing military cooperation between China and Russia and highlights the tensions in the region. South Korea’s response reflects its commitment to maintaining security in its air defense zone amidst these developments.
