標題: [國際新聞] S. Korea softens stance on civilian flight plan submission to China [打印本頁] 作者: peter236 時間: 2013-12-10 06:13 標題: S. Korea softens stance on civilian flight plan submission to China
Yonhap News Agency December 10, 2013 1:46am December 10, 2013 1:46am
S. Korea softens stance on civilian flight plan submission to China
By Kim Eun-jung
SEOUL, Dec. 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korea has retracted its earlier advisory asking local civilian carriers not to submit their flight plans to China when passing through Beijing's newly declared air defense zone, a senior government official said Tuesday.
Following Beijing's unilateral announcement of its new air defense identification zone (ADIZ) over East China Sea on Nov. 23, South Korea, along with Japan, had advised civilian air carriers to ignore the Chinese request to submit flight plans.
Seoul's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has changed its stance shortly after Sunday's announcement expanding its own ADIZ southward, in a measured approach to prevent clashes with neighboring nations whose defense zones overlap that of South Korea.
"Civilian carriers can take their own actions needed for their aviation safety," the senior government official spoke on condition of anonymity. "Airlines that pass through China's ADIZ can submit their flight plans if needed."
The latest move comes as Seoul is preparing follow-up measures to handle its new air patrol zone that includes airspace over the South Korean-controlled reef of Ieodo and other southern islands of Marado and Hongdo, while consulting with neighboring nations.
On Tuesday, senior officials of the presidential office, prime minister's office, defense, foreign affairs, transport and maritime affairs ministries gathered to discuss how to cooperate to handle the newly declared zone.
During the meeting hosted by the defense ministry, participants agreed to consult with related countries on how to deal with Ieodo near East China Sea, which is also included in ADIZs of China and Japan.
"The officials agreed to consult with neighboring nations to prevent accidental clashes near the overlapping region and then draw up measures," said a senior defense ministry official who attended the meeting.
Seoul is currently working through diplomatic channels to arrange meetings with Beijing and Tokyo later this month to further discuss safety measures, while seeking to have a trilateral meeting to resolve tensions in the region, the official noted.
