Seoul: The head of US Forces Korea expressed regret after a recent US air exercise triggered a protest from South Korea following a rare encounter with Chinese fighter jets over the Yellow Sea, local media reported Wednesday.

According to Anadolu Agency, Gen. Xavier Brunson said South Korea had been notified about the drill but acknowledged that the country's top defense officials were not briefed in time. Brunson made the remarks during a phone call with South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back after Seoul lodged a protest over the handling of the exercise.

Gen. Xavier Brunson spoke directly with the Minister of National Defense to reiterate that notification had been provided to the Republic of Korea side and expressed regret that the minister and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff were not briefed in time, US Forces Korea said in a statement. The statement further emphasized that US Forces Korea conducts regular training to maintain the highest level of readiness and ensure it can fulfill its mission, stating, "We don't make apologies for maintaining readiness."

The incident occurred during a US Air Force drill involving 10 F-16 fighter jets. The F-16s reportedly flew to an area between the respective air defense identification zones of South Korea and China, prompting the Chinese military to dispatch its own fighter jets. No clash occurred during this brief standoff.

Following the exercise, Ahn Gyu-back lodged a complaint with Gen. Brunson, citing insufficient prior communication about the drill. This event highlights the ongoing strategic complexities in the region, where South Korea hosts approximately 28,500 US troops under a mutual defense treaty with Washington.