Two Chinese Military Planes Enter South Korea’s Air Defense Zone; Chinese Ministry Denied Alleged Intrusion
Two Chinese military aircraft reportedly breached Korea's Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ) Sunday after the two planes briefly entered South Korea's air defense zone in the East China Sea, which is located near Jeju Island.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) made that announcement regarding the incident Tuesday, Korea Times reported.
"A Chinese military surveillance aircraft and an early warning plane flew into the KADIZ over Ioedo, a submerged rock in the East China Sea without prior notice," it said.
Reports revealed that Ieodo is the subject of territorial issue between the two countries. Ieodo is located 150 kilometers from Jeju Island.
A spokesperson of JCS said the two Chinese military planes flew out of South Korea's air defense zone after the latter warned the former for allegedly intruding.
"We took necessary surveillance and tactical measures adequately," said Jeon Ha Kyu, as noted by Yonhap News Agency Tuesday.
Jeon revealed that the presence of the two military jets were noticed in the southern part of the peninsula. The unidentified planes were later known to be Chinese military planes. Albeit, the presence of the two Chinese military planes did not cause threat, as per Jeon.
He added that the ministry has ordered fighter jets to standby in case the Chinese planes enter South Korea's air defense zone.
Meanwhile, a Korean official said the alleged intrusion might have been done intentionally.
"The flight must have been carried out intentionally because there is little chance that state-of-the-art military planes could mistakenly take a wrong route," the official stated.
"Through the flight, China appears to be flexing its military muscle against THAAD deployment."
On the other hand, the Chinese ministry denied the alleged intrusion and said in a dispatch that the accusation is "not true." Aside from that, the ministry did not give further comments regarding the issue.
