[Full Text] President Moon's Speech at Air Force Academy Graduation and Commissioning Ceremony

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] To the 68th class cadets of the Korea Air Force Academy, congratulations on your graduation and commissioning.

Though these are solemn and challenging times, I have come here to celebrate you. The people will feel a strong sense of security from your dignified presence.

Many young people aspire to enter the Korea Air Force Academy, undergoing fierce competition and rigorous tests from admission onward. Over the past four years, you have excellently completed tough military training and academics, from the ‘Mechuri Training’ to the most demanding ‘Gravity Acceleration Resistance Training,’ and now you have become proud Boramae (Purple Eagles) who soar the skies.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

We also applaud the outstanding achievements of nine top graduates, ten female officers, and cadets from Algeria, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Now, you will leave the academy and boldly take flight ‘to the sky, to space.’ I commend the efforts of Principal Park In-ho and the faculty who have nurtured 158 reliable young officers, and I extend congratulations to the families of cadets who could not attend today.

Especially, present here are the granddaughter of General Choi Yong-deok, a founding figure of our Air Force, and the son of General Kim Du-man, who distinguished himself with 100 sorties during the Korean War, as well as the bereaved families of the late Major Park Myeong-ryeol and the late Captain Park In-cheol, who sacrificed their lives for the country across generations. We express deep respect for their dedication and sacrifice.

Today, you stand here to continue the devotion of your predecessors who ‘dedicated their body and soul to the homeland and the sky.’

In a rapidly changing security environment, I believe you will become young officers of the Air Force whom the people can rely on, embodying trust and hope.

Young officers,

On both sides in front of this podium stand the Republic of Korea’s first fighter, the ‘F-51D Mustang,’ and the Korean next-generation fighter, the ‘KF-X,’ with you, the young officers, at the center. The brilliant history of our Air Force has gathered in one place.

One hundred years ago, General No Baek-rin established the first ‘Korean aviator training school’ in California, USA, preparing for the independence war. This was the origin of the Republic of Korea Air Force.

General Choi Yong-deok of the Provisional Government’s Liberation Army Headquarters launched the ‘Air Force Design Committee,’ and based on this, the Republic of Korea Air Force was founded in 1949.

The Air Force’s performance during the Korean War was truly remarkable. Although pilots flew Mustang fighters after only one week of training, they flew over 14,000 sorties, creating the legend of the ‘Red Scarf.’ Your predecessors, the first class pilots of the Air Force Academy, were the heroes of this story.

The phrases ‘No Retreat in Battle,’ ‘Reunification of the Homeland,’ and ‘Conviction’ written on the Taegeukgi (Korean flag) that second-class cadets draped over the shoulders of the first-class cadets on their first sortie

are still vividly engraved in the hearts of our Air Force.

At its founding, the Air Force had only about twenty light aircraft and 1,600 personnel, but it has now grown into a core national security force with around 700 advanced aircraft and 65,000 personnel.

As a citizen and as the President, I am very proud of the history of our Air Force. I am confident that you, the future leaders of our Air Force, will carry pride and write new history.

Young officers, the sky can be calm one moment and suddenly stormy the next. It is so unpredictable that it is difficult to foresee even an inch ahead.

The security environment is the same. The challenges we will face in the future will be completely different from those in the past.

You must be able to respond to various cross-border threats and prepare for future wars such as ‘scientific warfare,’ ‘information warfare,’ and ‘aerial warfare.’ You must also boldly confront new types of threats emerging in the Fourth Industrial Revolution era, such as unmanned aerial vehicles and drones.

The outcome of war and deterrence both depend on the Air Force’s ‘innovation.’ Our Air Force has developed the ‘Dronebot Combat System’ to establish a manned-unmanned integrated air combat system. We have introduced the ‘Intelligent Flight Training Simulator’ applying virtual reality technology for pilot training.

The ‘Smart Flying Unit’ will build new technologies such as digital control towers and unmanned surveillance systems. By integrating our advanced ICT technology into air power, we will realize the dream of a ‘strong and smart Air Force’ and bring great growth to both defense and civilian sectors.

Young officers will perform missions in various fields such as pilots, air defense weapon controllers, maintenance personnel, and administrative officers. I hope you take pride in being the proud leaders of the Republic of Korea’s ‘Smart Aerospace Force’ and fulfill your duties.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Korean War and the 20th anniversary of the June 15th Joint Declaration, a meaningful year to reflect on the tragedy of war

and reaffirm our commitment to security and peace.

We must be able to determine the fate of the Korean Peninsula ourselves. There must never be gunfire again in the skies, land, or seas of the Korean Peninsula.

Your role in maintaining and creating peace through ironclad security is very important.

The 21st-century aerospace era means “those who dominate the sky dominate the world.” Now, the peaceful skies of the Korean Peninsula depend on you.

Peace requires strong power. Since the beginning of this administration, the government has steadily increased the defense budget, opening the era of a 50 trillion won defense budget for the first time this year. The defense capability improvement budget alone amounts to about 16.7 trillion won.

We are increasing surveillance and reconnaissance assets through the introduction of Global Hawk and the military reconnaissance satellite development project. The newly introduced aerial refueling aircraft has extended long-range air operations from 30 minutes to over two hours. We now have the capability to manage the entire air defense identification zone beyond just protecting our airspace.

Today, we witnessed a magnificent celebratory flight with the latest F-35A stealth fighter performing a 390-degree aerial turn. I felt reassured by the grandeur of our Air Force. The people must have been proud as well.

Through ‘Defense Reform 2.0’ and the ‘Smart Air Force’ strategy, we promise to further strengthen our Air Force’s security capabilities.

Military life also puts ‘people first.’ We will strive to improve military culture and service conditions so that the uniform worn to protect the homeland becomes a source of pride and honor. We will also drastically improve the military medical support system. We will pay closer attention to every aspect of soldiers’ lives.

Respected citizens and young officers, the sky of our homeland is vast.

The future of the Republic of Korea is bright, and countless opportunities lie ahead of you.

Our dream is to roam the vast sky freely and create a peaceful Korean Peninsula with our own hands. One day, we will go beyond the sky and head into space.

As the Air Force song’s line says, “Pour the boiling blood in your chest into that sky,” I hope you will unfold your overflowing dreams into that sky and lead the realization of all our dreams toward the unknown world.

May your path be filled with honor and glory.

Thank you.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.