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South Korea expands
own ADIZ
ZONE WARS: Seoul¡¦s newly declared air defense
zones now overlaps China¡¦s to included disputed islands. There was no immediate
reaction from Chinese officials
Reuters, SEOUL
South Korea yesterday said that it has extended its air defense zone to
partially overlap with a similar zone declared by China two weeks ago that has
sharply raised regional tensions.
Beijing¡¦s declaration of an air defense identification zone (ADIZ) in an area
that includes islands at the heart of a territorial dispute with Taiwan and
Japan has triggered protests from the US, as well as close allies Japan and
South Korea.
Announcing the expansion of its own zone to include two territorial islands to
the south and a submerged rock also claimed by China, the South Korean Ministry
of Defense said the move would not infringe on neighboring countries¡¦
sovereignty.
¡§We believe this will not significantly impact our relationships with China and
with Japan as we try to work for peace and cooperation in Northeast Asia,¡¨ the
ministry¡¦s head of policy, Jang Hyuk, told a briefing.
¡§We have explained our position to related countries and overall they are in
agreement that this move complies with international regulations and is not an
excessive measure,¡¨ he said, adding that the ministry¡¦s top priority was to work
with neighboring countries to prevent military confrontation.
South Korea objected to China¡¦s Nov. 23 move as unacceptable because its new
zone includes a maritime rock named Ieodo, which Seoul controls and has a
research station platform built atop it.
China also claims the submerged rock.
However, Seoul¡¦ reaction to Beijing has been more measured than the sharp
rebukes delivered by Tokyo and Washington, reflecting a sensitivity toward South
Korea¡¦s largest trading partner.
South Korea¡¦s air defense zone was originally established by the US Air Force in
1951 during the Korean War.
Its extension will not apply any restrictions to the operation of commercial
flights, the ministry said separately in a statement. The move will take effect
on Sunday, it said.
It will also result in an overlap with Japan¡¦s air defense zone, Jang said.
There was no immediate reaction from China, although Beijing¡¦s response to news
last week that South Korea was reviewing its options on the ADIZ was relatively
low-key.
Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Hong Lei (¬x½U) on Friday said any
move by South Korea must ¡§accord with international law and norms.¡¨
However, Hong added: ¡§China is willing to maintain communications with South
Korea on the basis of equality and mutual respect.¡¨
The decision by China that kicked off the latest spat was the subject of a tense
disagreement, as US Vice President Joe Biden visited China, stressing
Washington¡¦s objections to the move that he said caused ¡§significant
apprehension¡¨ in the region.
Beijing says its zone is in accordance with international law and Washington and
others should respect it.
Under the Chinese zone¡¦s rules, all aircraft have to report flight plans to
Chinese authorities, maintain radio contact and reply promptly to identification
inquiries.
US, Japanese and South Korean military aircraft have breached the zone without
informing Beijing since it was announced.
South Korean and Japanese commercial planes have also been advised by their
governments not to follow the rules.
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