December 11, 2025
Yang Tianzi
On the morning of Dec. 9 local time, Chinese and Russian military aircraft jointly entered South Korea’s Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ), highlighting the complex security situation in Northeast Asia. While the incident may appear tense on the surface, it essentially reflects a carefully calculated “signaling game” between major powers in the region rather than a prelude to direct military conflict.
Nine Chinese and Russian military aircraft enter South Korea’s KADIZ
According to a briefing from South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, around 10:00 a.m. that morning, a total of nine Chinese and Russian military aircraft jointly entered South Korea’s KADIZ, remaining in the area for about an hour before departing. The formation consisted of seven Russian aircraft and two Chinese aircraft, including bombers and fighter jets. It is noteworthy that the aircraft only entered the KADIZ and did not violate South Korea’s sovereign airspace, a distinction that carries significant legal and military implications under international law.
The South Korean military had detected the movements in advance and promptly scrambled fighter jets to respond tactically. Although the situation was tense throughout the incident, all parties maintained relative restraint, avoiding further escalation.
The operation demonstrated a high degree of tactical coordination and showed characteristics of a carefully planned joint mission. The seven Russian aircraft entered the KADIZ from the eastern sea route near South Korea, flying over Ulleungdo and Dokdo (referred to as Takeshima by Japan). This route was chosen with clear strategic considerations, as Dokdo is a sensitive area with a sovereignty dispute between South Korea and Japan.
Meanwhile, the two Chinese aircraft entered from the south, flying over Ieodo (referred to as Suyan Rock by China). Ieodo lies in the overlapping area of South Korea’s and China’s KADIZ. According to South Korean military statistics, Chinese aircraft conduct about 90–100 flights in this area annually, indicating it has become a regular patrol route.
The two formations ultimately met over the Tsushima Strait, a choice with symbolic significance. The strait is a key strategic passage connecting the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea. The joint presence of Chinese and Russian aircraft there not only demonstrates the close military cooperation between the two countries but also underscores their attention to this strategic location. The entire operation lasted about one hour, reflecting an organized and planned joint military activity.
South Korea’s response and differences in communication mechanisms
In response to the joint Chinese-Russian action, the South Korean military demonstrated mature early-warning and tactical response capabilities. The Joint Chiefs of Staff stated that the military had detected the aircraft movements before their entry, indicating that South Korea’s aerial monitoring system was functioning effectively. Upon confirming the potential threat, South Korea immediately deployed fighter jets to escort and monitor the aircraft.
Notably, the incident exposed significant differences in military communication mechanisms between South Korea and the two countries. The Russian and South Korean navies maintain a hotline; when the South Korean side inquired through this channel, Russia replied that the activity was routine training and guaranteed no intrusion into South Korean airspace. Such direct communication helps reduce the risk of misjudgment and prevents tensions from escalating due to asymmetric information.
However, no similar direct hotline exists between the South Korean and Chinese militaries, leaving South Korea unable to quickly verify the intentions of Chinese aircraft. This lack of a communication mechanism increases the risk of accidental aerial friction in overlapping KADIZ areas with frequent aircraft movements, reflecting insufficient military trust between South Korea and China.
To fully understand such incidents, it is essential to clarify the fundamental legal difference between a “KADIZ” and sovereign airspace. Sovereign airspace refers to the airspace above a country’s territory and territorial waters, where a state has full and exclusive sovereignty; foreign military aircraft entering without permission constitute a violation. A KADIZ, by contrast, is a buffer zone unilaterally established outside a country’s airspace for early detection and monitoring of approaching aircraft.
KADIZs do not have explicit legal standing under international law; their establishment and management are largely based on unilateral decisions and customary international practice. Generally, military aircraft entering another country’s KADIZ are expected to submit flight plans and share information, though not all countries recognize this practice.
Russia explicitly does not recognize the legitimacy of South Korea’s KADIZ, claiming it lacks international legal basis and refusing to accept South Korea’s control. China asserts equal flight rights in overlapping areas. These differing positions create persistent challenges in managing KADIZs and provide a legal “gray zone” for such incidents.
China-Russia joint military exercises
The South Korean military assesses that this operation is likely part of annual joint exercises between China and Russia. Historically, China and Russia conduct one or two joint exercises near the Korean Peninsula each year, making such military cooperation routine. A similar incident occurred in November 2024, when 11 Chinese and Russian aircraft entered South Korea’s KADIZ over four hours.
These joint exercises convey multiple strategic signals. First, in response to the growing U.S. and allied military presence in Northeast Asia, China and Russia demonstrate military strength and strategic coordination. Second, such actions also test South Korea’s air defense command, early-warning capabilities, and emergency response efficiency.
More importantly, China and Russia aim to “factualize” control over disputed airspace through frequent military presence. In overlapping areas like Ieodo, Chinese aircraft activity asserts flight rights and prevents implicit recognition of South Korea’s unilateral jurisdiction.
For South Korea, these incidents highlight its complex position in major power dynamics. As a key U.S. ally, South Korea relies heavily on American security support but cannot fully confront China, one of its largest trade partners. This structural tension—“security with the U.S., economy with China”—requires South Korea to handle such incidents with great caution.
South Korea’s response strategy reflects this balance: demonstrating capability to protect national security to domestic audiences and U.S. allies, while avoiding overreaction that could severely damage relations with China and Russia. This approach of “high alert but restrained” has effectively become South Korea’s standard mode for handling such incidents.
In summary, the Dec. 9 incident of Chinese and Russian aircraft entering South Korea’s KADIZ is essentially a carefully planned “signaling game” rather than a prelude to direct military confrontation.
www.visiontimes.com
Yang Tianzi
On the morning of Dec. 9 local time, Chinese and Russian military aircraft jointly entered South Korea’s Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ), highlighting the complex security situation in Northeast Asia. While the incident may appear tense on the surface, it essentially reflects a carefully calculated “signaling game” between major powers in the region rather than a prelude to direct military conflict.
Nine Chinese and Russian military aircraft enter South Korea’s KADIZ
According to a briefing from South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, around 10:00 a.m. that morning, a total of nine Chinese and Russian military aircraft jointly entered South Korea’s KADIZ, remaining in the area for about an hour before departing. The formation consisted of seven Russian aircraft and two Chinese aircraft, including bombers and fighter jets. It is noteworthy that the aircraft only entered the KADIZ and did not violate South Korea’s sovereign airspace, a distinction that carries significant legal and military implications under international law.
The South Korean military had detected the movements in advance and promptly scrambled fighter jets to respond tactically. Although the situation was tense throughout the incident, all parties maintained relative restraint, avoiding further escalation.
The operation demonstrated a high degree of tactical coordination and showed characteristics of a carefully planned joint mission. The seven Russian aircraft entered the KADIZ from the eastern sea route near South Korea, flying over Ulleungdo and Dokdo (referred to as Takeshima by Japan). This route was chosen with clear strategic considerations, as Dokdo is a sensitive area with a sovereignty dispute between South Korea and Japan.
Meanwhile, the two Chinese aircraft entered from the south, flying over Ieodo (referred to as Suyan Rock by China). Ieodo lies in the overlapping area of South Korea’s and China’s KADIZ. According to South Korean military statistics, Chinese aircraft conduct about 90–100 flights in this area annually, indicating it has become a regular patrol route.
The two formations ultimately met over the Tsushima Strait, a choice with symbolic significance. The strait is a key strategic passage connecting the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea. The joint presence of Chinese and Russian aircraft there not only demonstrates the close military cooperation between the two countries but also underscores their attention to this strategic location. The entire operation lasted about one hour, reflecting an organized and planned joint military activity.
South Korea’s response and differences in communication mechanisms
In response to the joint Chinese-Russian action, the South Korean military demonstrated mature early-warning and tactical response capabilities. The Joint Chiefs of Staff stated that the military had detected the aircraft movements before their entry, indicating that South Korea’s aerial monitoring system was functioning effectively. Upon confirming the potential threat, South Korea immediately deployed fighter jets to escort and monitor the aircraft.
Notably, the incident exposed significant differences in military communication mechanisms between South Korea and the two countries. The Russian and South Korean navies maintain a hotline; when the South Korean side inquired through this channel, Russia replied that the activity was routine training and guaranteed no intrusion into South Korean airspace. Such direct communication helps reduce the risk of misjudgment and prevents tensions from escalating due to asymmetric information.
However, no similar direct hotline exists between the South Korean and Chinese militaries, leaving South Korea unable to quickly verify the intentions of Chinese aircraft. This lack of a communication mechanism increases the risk of accidental aerial friction in overlapping KADIZ areas with frequent aircraft movements, reflecting insufficient military trust between South Korea and China.
To fully understand such incidents, it is essential to clarify the fundamental legal difference between a “KADIZ” and sovereign airspace. Sovereign airspace refers to the airspace above a country’s territory and territorial waters, where a state has full and exclusive sovereignty; foreign military aircraft entering without permission constitute a violation. A KADIZ, by contrast, is a buffer zone unilaterally established outside a country’s airspace for early detection and monitoring of approaching aircraft.
KADIZs do not have explicit legal standing under international law; their establishment and management are largely based on unilateral decisions and customary international practice. Generally, military aircraft entering another country’s KADIZ are expected to submit flight plans and share information, though not all countries recognize this practice.
Russia explicitly does not recognize the legitimacy of South Korea’s KADIZ, claiming it lacks international legal basis and refusing to accept South Korea’s control. China asserts equal flight rights in overlapping areas. These differing positions create persistent challenges in managing KADIZs and provide a legal “gray zone” for such incidents.
China-Russia joint military exercises
The South Korean military assesses that this operation is likely part of annual joint exercises between China and Russia. Historically, China and Russia conduct one or two joint exercises near the Korean Peninsula each year, making such military cooperation routine. A similar incident occurred in November 2024, when 11 Chinese and Russian aircraft entered South Korea’s KADIZ over four hours.
These joint exercises convey multiple strategic signals. First, in response to the growing U.S. and allied military presence in Northeast Asia, China and Russia demonstrate military strength and strategic coordination. Second, such actions also test South Korea’s air defense command, early-warning capabilities, and emergency response efficiency.
More importantly, China and Russia aim to “factualize” control over disputed airspace through frequent military presence. In overlapping areas like Ieodo, Chinese aircraft activity asserts flight rights and prevents implicit recognition of South Korea’s unilateral jurisdiction.
For South Korea, these incidents highlight its complex position in major power dynamics. As a key U.S. ally, South Korea relies heavily on American security support but cannot fully confront China, one of its largest trade partners. This structural tension—“security with the U.S., economy with China”—requires South Korea to handle such incidents with great caution.
South Korea’s response strategy reflects this balance: demonstrating capability to protect national security to domestic audiences and U.S. allies, while avoiding overreaction that could severely damage relations with China and Russia. This approach of “high alert but restrained” has effectively become South Korea’s standard mode for handling such incidents.
In summary, the Dec. 9 incident of Chinese and Russian aircraft entering South Korea’s KADIZ is essentially a carefully planned “signaling game” rather than a prelude to direct military confrontation.
Chinese and Russian Jets Enter South Korea’s Air Defense Zone in Coordinated Drill - Vision Times
On the morning of Dec. 9 local time, Chinese and Russian military aircraft jointly entered South Korea’s Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ), highlighting
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