South Korea Files Formal Protest After Chinese and Russian Warplanes Briefly Enter KADIZ
Updated (6 articles)
Nine Chinese and Russian Aircraft Cross KADIZ Without Violating Airspace On 9 December 2025, two Chinese and seven Russian military aircraft entered South Korea’s air‑defence identification zone (KADIZ) over waters east and south of the peninsula, near Ulleung Island and the Ieodo rock, before withdrawing after roughly an hour [3][4][5]. The Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed none of the planes crossed into sovereign South Korean airspace [3][4]. The incursion was detected promptly, and the aircraft exited the zone without incident [4][5].
Seoul Scrambled Fighter Jets as Precautionary Deterrence South Korean Air Force fighters were dispatched to monitor the intruding aircraft and deter any miscalculation, a move described by officials as precautionary [2][4]. The fighters remained on standby while the foreign planes traversed the identification zone, but no direct interception occurred [2][4]. South Korea emphasized that the response complied with international law governing KADIZ operations [1][2].
Incursions Form Part of Repeated Annual Joint Patrols Since 2019, China and Russia have entered the KADIZ once or twice each year during joint exercises, often without prior notice [3][4]. The most recent prior event involved eleven aircraft in November 2024 [4]. Beijing’s defense ministry framed the December 9 flight as a routine joint patrol under an annual bilateral cooperation plan [3][4].
Russia and China Reject KADIZ Legal Standing Both Moscow and Beijing stated that they do not recognize South Korea’s KADIZ as creating legal obligations, arguing the zone is not grounded in international law [1][2]. Russia explicitly denied any legal duty to respect the zone, while China highlighted overlapping claims around the Ieodo area [1][2]. The dispute underscores competing interpretations of air‑identification zones versus sovereign airspace [1][2].
Seoul Lodges Formal Protest and Promises Lawful Response On 10 December 2025, South Korea formally protested to the Chinese and Russian defense attaches, demanding respect for its KADIZ and warning of active, lawful responses to future violations [1][2]. The defence ministry reiterated that KADIZ is a legitimate identification zone intended to prevent accidental clashes [1]. Seoul’s stance reflects a broader effort to uphold regional security norms amid rising great‑power activity [1][2].
Sources
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1.
BBC: South Korea protests Chinese and Russian warplanes entering its air defence zone: Details the formal complaint, fighter‑jet scramble, and Russia’s non‑recognition of KADIZ, highlighting the joint patrol and legal response .
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2.
Yonhap: S. Korea protests to China and Russia over jets entering KADIZ: Reports the diplomatic protest, precautionary fighter deployment, and emphasizes that no airspace breach occurred .
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3.
Yonhap: Nine Chinese and Russian aircraft briefly enter South Korea's KADIZ, JCS says (Dec 9 2025 05:32): Provides timeline, aircraft numbers, and notes the pattern of annual incursions since 2019 .
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4.
Yonhap: Nine Chinese, Russian aircraft briefly enter South Korea's air defense zone (02:21 Dec 9): Confirms fighter dispatch, lack of airspace violation, and historical context of previous entries .
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5.
Yonhap: Nine Chinese and Russian aircraft briefly enter South Korea's KADIZ, JCS says (02:01 Dec 9): Summarizes the brief incursion and JCS confirmation of no airspace breach .
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6.
Yonhap: 9 Chinese, Russian military aircraft briefly enter S. Korea's air defense zone: JCS (02:00 Dec 9): Brief report confirming nine aircraft entered KADIZ, with limited detail on response .
Timeline
2019 – China and Russia begin annual incursions into South Korea’s air‑defence identification zone (KADIZ) during joint exercises, establishing a pattern of one‑to‑two entries per year without prior notice. [3]
Nov 2024 – Eleven Chinese and Russian aircraft enter South Korea’s KADIZ together, marking the largest recorded incursion to date and reinforcing the recurring pattern of joint patrols. [3][4]
Mar 2025 – Seoul scrambles fighter jets after several Russian warplanes fly into the KADIZ near Ulleung Island and Dokdo, taking tactical measures while confirming no breach of sovereign airspace. [1]
Dec 9, 2025 – Around 10 a.m., two Chinese and seven Russian military aircraft briefly enter South Korea’s KADIZ over waters east and south of the peninsula; the Joint Chiefs of Staff dispatches Air Force fighters, monitors the situation, and confirms the planes withdraw after about an hour without violating South Korean airspace. [3][4][5][6]
Dec 10, 2025 – South Korea lodges formal protests with the Chinese and Russian defence attaches, stating it will “actively respond” to activities in the KADIZ in line with international law; Russia reiterates it does not recognize the zone, while China cites a joint patrol under its annual cooperation plan. [1][2]
2026 onward – China affirms it will continue joint patrols with Russia in the East China Sea and Western Pacific each year under their bilateral cooperation plan, indicating ongoing challenges to South Korea’s KADIZ. [1]