The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced on Wednesday that it has produced and released a special video on its official YouTube channel in commemoration of the 77th Armed Forces Day.
The video features 98-year-old General Kim Du-man, a Korean War veteran who flew over 100 combat sorties, as he visits the production site of Korea Aerospace Industries’ (KAI) indigenous supersonic fighter jet, the Boramae (KF-21).
General Kim, a decorated war hero, served as the Air Force Operations Commander and as the 11th Chief of Staff of the Air Force. His accolades include the Eulji Order of Military Merit and the Eunseong Chungmu Order of Military Merit. During the Korean War, he led crucial missions, including the South Korean Air Force’s first solo sortie operation and an operation to suppress enemy paratroopers in the Jirisan Mountains.
In a poignant moment captured on film, General Kim climbs into the cockpit and takes hold of the controls of the KF-21, symbolizing the remarkable progress of South Korea’s aerospace technology. This scene vividly illustrates both the present state and future potential of the nation’s advanced defense capabilities.
DAPA Chief Seok Jong-geun expressed his hopes for the video’s impact, stating that it aims for this footage to serve as a reminder of the enduring commitment to self-reliant national defense across generations, while also inspiring the public to envision South Korea’s emergence as a global leader in the defense industry.