A Chinese military aircraft had entered Korea's air space this morning prompting dispatching of South Korean fighter jets.
But in a rare move, China had notified South Korea of its intrusion, before entering Korea's air defense identification zone.
Our Kim Ji-yeon tells us why.
A Chinese military plane had entered South Korea's air defense identification zone twice on Tuesday... but unlike previous instances, the aircraft this time notified the South Korean military before entering KADIZ.
A Joint Chiefs of Staff official said... the Y-9 reconnaissance Chinese aircraft flew near waters of the southern island of Jeju and stayed in KADIZ for about 77 minutes in total.
Upon detecting the aircraft approaching KADIZ, the South Korean military scrambled multiple fighter jets... and identified it.
The South Korean military followed up and tried to communicate with Beijing through the two countries' military hotline.
The Chinese responded... informing of its flight information, route and purposes.
It's believed the Chinese military aircraft had entered KADIZ more than two dozen times this year alone, but Tuesday's intrusion marks the first time China shared such flight information ahead of KADIZ entry.
This comes at a time when the two sides have stepped up efforts to mend defense ties... after relations had soured when Seoul decided to deploy the U.S. missile defense system known as THAAD in the country.
Seoul and Beijing agreed to work towards setting up more military hotlines... during their vice ministerial-level strategic dialogue... which was held last week for the first time in five years.
"An official at the Joint Chiefs of Staff said 28 countries have designated air defense identification zones for the early detection of foreign aircraft entering into their territorial airspace. The zones are not bound by international law nor regulated by any international body.
Kim Ji-yeon, Arirang News."