2 Chinese, 7 Russian warplanes enter S. Korea's air defense zone without notice: JCS

An Ilyushin Il-76 military cargo plane of the Russian Aerospace Forces evacuates citizens of Russia and other countries, Nov.19. Yonhap

Two Chinese and seven Russian military aircraft entered South Korea's air defense identification zone (KADIZ) without notice Friday, prompting the Air Force to scramble fighters to the scene, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Between around 11 a.m. and 16:38 p.m., the planes separately entered the KADIZ northeast of South Korea's easternmost islets of Dokdo before exiting it, the JCS said, noting that none of them violated the country's territorial air space.

Each plane flew through the KADIZ for about 10 minutes.

Prior to their entry, the South Korean military deployed F-15 and F-16 fighter jets and a KC-330 tanker plane to the scene as a "normal tactical step" to prepare against any contingencies, the JCS said.

This is the first time the Air Force has mobilized a tanker for such a KADIZ-related incident, the military said.

Through a communication hotline, the Chinese authorities told the South Korean military that their aircraft were staging a "routine" exercise.

South Korean officials said that the Chinese and Russian aircraft's entry into the KADIZ appear to be part of a combined exercise, pointing out this needs further analysis.

The KADIZ is not territorial airspace, but foreign aircraft entering it are required to identify themselves to prevent accidental clashes. (Yonhap)