South Korea announced last Sunday, December 8, that it has extended its air defense zone partially overlapping with the China's air space and has raised tension in the region, according to a Reuters report.
The announcement came after Beijing unilaterally declared an area to be part of its air defense identification zone that includes islands under territorial dispute with Japan. The decision of the communist government resulted in protests from the U.S., Japan and South Korea.
According to the report, South Korea's own zone expansion includes two territorial islands to its south and one of which is a submerged rock that China claims its own.
"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," Jang Hyuk, head of South Korea's Defence Ministry said in a press 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."
Jang added that his ministry's top priority is to ensure regional peace by working with its neighboring countries to avoid military confrontation.
It should be noted that South Korea objected when China declared its new zone last November 23 that included Ieodo, a maritime rock which falls under South Korea's control via a research station built on top of it.
South Korea's air defense zone dates back in during the Korean War after the U.S. Air Force established it in 1951.
In a separate statement, the defense ministry said that its air space extension will not cover commercial flights. The extension will take effect on December 15, the report said.
China has no immediate reaction save for a very low key statement from its Foreign Ministry. The statement stressed that South Korea's action must be in "accord with international law and norms." It also added that "China is willing to maintain communications with South Korea on the basis of equality and mutual respect," the report said.
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