South Korea scrambles jets after Chinese Russian ADIZ entry

South Korea deployed fighter jets on Saturday, June 27, after more than ten Chinese and Russian military aircraft entered its Air Defence Identification Zone (KADIZ). The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff stated the aircraft entered the zone over the East Sea and the South Sea before departing, and stressed they did not violate the country's sovereign airspace. The military said it detected the aircraft before they entered the zone and scrambled fighter jets as a precautionary measure.

China's Ministry of National Defense described the operation differently, stating that Chinese and Russian air forces conducted a joint strategic air patrol over the Sea of Japan, the East China Sea, and the western Pacific Ocean. It said the patrol demonstrated both countries' determination and capability to jointly uphold regional peace and stability. The Chinese statement did not specifically mention South Korea or its air defence zone. There was no immediate comment from Russian authorities.

An Air Defence Identification Zone is not sovereign airspace but a designated buffer area where countries monitor approaching aircraft for early warning and security purposes. While international law does...