Military: GA Aircraft From Japan Attempted To Overfly Disputed Islands

Four South Korean Air Force F-5s scrambled on Tuesday to chase a light aircraft away from the Dokdo Islets, coming within 30 miles of the intruder before it turned, according to South Korean military officials.

Korean officials say the aircraft, type unknown, took off from Japan's Osaka Airport at 0914 local time and flew straight for the Korean Air Defense Interdiction Zone (KADIZ), officials said.

There are conflicting reports from South Korean military officials on whether the pilot of the aircraft, registered to the Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun, asked permission to enter the KADIZ. 

Foreign aircraft not on scheduled routes must ask permission 24 hours before flying, according to South Korean air traffic laws. Authorities said the Japanese aircraft continued toward the KADIZ until fighters were launched to intercept at 0952, after military officials radioed four warnings to the small plane to turn back. South Korean air defense monitors said the aircraft was apparently headed for a photo mission over the uninhabited islets.

FMI: www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ks.html