Chinese and Russian military aircraft entered and then left Korea's air defense identification zone (KADIZ) on the morning of the 9th.

An ROK-U.S.-Japan aerial drill takes place last April over the overlapping area of the Korea-Japan air defense identification zones (ADIZ) southeast of Jeju. The exercise, held to demonstrate readiness against North Korea, features the ROK Air Force's F-15K fighters, U.S. B-52H strategic bombers and F-16 fighters, and Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-2 fighters. /Courtesy of Ministry of National Defense

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a text notice that starting at 10 a.m., seven Russian military aircraft and two Chinese military aircraft entered the KADIZ over the East Sea and South Sea in sequence and then left. The aircraft did not violate Korea's airspace.

An official at the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said, "The military identified the Chinese and Russian military aircraft before they entered the KADIZ," and added, "Air Force fighters were deployed to take tactical measures to prepare for contingencies."

KADIZ refers to a zone set to enable early identification of the flight paths of aircraft, such as military planes, approaching the Korean Peninsula. It is not sovereign airspace under international law. When military aircraft enter another country's KADIZ, it is international practice to notify that country of the flight plan in advance.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) believes China and Russia conducted a joint air exercise.

It has been about a year since Russian and Chinese military aircraft entered the KADIZ at the same time, last occurring on Nov. 29 of the previous year. Russian and Chinese military aircraft entered the KADIZ together then, and on Mar. 15, only Russian military aircraft entered the KADIZ.

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