South Korea on Sunday announced expansion of its air defense zone following China's move to establish a similar zone that has been criticized by Beijing's neighbors, AP reported. Beijing said last month that all aircraft entering the vast area must identify themselves and follow Chinese instructions. U.S. and Japan have flown military reconnaissance flights in the area without notifying China in defiance of Beijing's announcement. The new South Korean zone includes a submerged rock embroiled in territorial disputes with China and enlarged parts of airspace that is also covered by the Chinese zone. The new South Korean zone also overlaps with parts of the Japanese air defense zone. Defense Ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok told reporters that South Korea will discuss with neighboring countries steps to prevent accidental clashes within the South Korean zone. He said that South Korea's zone did not infringe upon any country's airspace and that Seoul had sufficiently explained its action to neighboring countries ahead of Sunday's announcement.
