By Jun Ji-hye
Military forces strengthened their reconnaissance and surveillance activities in the southwestern air defense zone part after China and Russia announced a joint maritime exercise there.
“The two countries are carrying out a joint drill in the East China Sea starting Tuesday, which will continue to Monday,” said the Ministry of National Defense in a statement.
“On Friday, Beijing designated some areas as no-sailing zones for live-fire exercises, and some of these later appeared to be covered by Korea’s air defense identification zone or KADIZ and Japan’s ADIZ.”
The two countries have mobilized 14 surface combat vessels, two submarines, nine aircraft and six helicopters for the exercise.
“Seoul dispatched flight reconnaissance jets and Navy vessels to the scene this morning,” said a ministry official. “Surveillance radar on Jeju Island is closely monitoring the situations as well.”
The military is also utilizing a “hot-line” between Seoul Beijing’s Air Force and Navy to prevent any possible collision between civilian and military planes.
The ministry, along with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, urged the Chinese government to give prior notice if it plans military drills covered by the KADIZ.
This is the first such instance since when Seoul announced an extension of the KADIZ to cover the submerged rock, Ieodo. That area has not been included in the exercise, according to the official.
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