On March 2, 2003, DPRK Air Force aircraft intercepted an American reconnaissance aircraft over the Sea of Japan, forcing them to interrupt the flight and return to base. The RC-135 was intercepted over the international waters of the Sea of Japan about 240 km from the coast of the DPRK (two MiG-29s and two MiG-23s) and escorted it for 20 minutes.

One of the fighters included guidance systems in combat mode. The fire was not opened, but the RC-135 aircraft interrupted the flight. And the US then protested.