Russia wants probe into South Korean airspace ‘violation’

SEOUL, July 24 (AP): Russia wants an investigation into a South Korean announcement that one of its military planes violated South Korea's airspace, a senior lawmaker said on Wednesday citing, Russia's acting ambassador.

Seoul said South Korean fighter jets fired 360 rounds of warning shots to drive away the Russian reconnaissance plane that entered its airspace off South Korea's east coast twice Tuesday during a joint patrol with Chinese bombers.

Yoon Sang-hyun, chairman of the South Korean parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, quoted Russia's Acting Ambassador Maxim Volkov as telling him that Russia feels "regrettable" over the incident.

Yoon cited Volkov as saying Russia thinks an investigation was necessary and has requested related South Korean information.

Russia's Embassy in Seoul couldn't immediately confirm Volkov's reported comments.