South Korea deploys fighter jets as Chinese, Russian warplanes enter air defence zone

South Korea deployed fighter jets on Saturday after more than 10 Chinese and Russian military aircraft entered the country's air defence identification zone before later leaving the area, prompting Seoul to take precautionary measures, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

According to the military, the aircraft entered the Korea Air Defence Identification Zone (KADIZ) over the East Sea and the South Sea but did not breach South Korean sovereign airspace.

"South Korea's military detected the Chinese and Russian aircraft before they entered the zone and deployed Air Force fighter jets to prepare for any contingency," the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.

The military said the Chinese and Russian aircraft remained within the air defence identification zone only and did not violate the country's territorial airspace.

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An air defence identification zone is not considered sovereign airspace but serves as a buffer area where countries monitor and identify approaching aircraft for security purposes.

Although military aircraft are generally expected to notify the relevant country before entering its air defence identification zone, there is no legal obligation to do so.

No immediate response from Beijing or Moscow

China and Russia did not immediately comment on Saturday's incident.

The latest development follows a similar episode in December 2025, when nine Chinese and Russian military aircraft entered the KADIZ.

Following the December 2025 incident, South Korea lodged formal protests with Beijing and Moscow, while Japan expressed its "serious concern" over the implications for regional security.

At the time, China and Russia said the flights formed part of a joint patrol over the East Sea and the western Pacific.