The Taegeukgi Cherished by the First Graduates of Construction Phase 1 Becomes a Cultural Heritage

The 2nd Batch Juniors Delivered a Taegeukgi with a Victory Wish
"Praising the Will and Effort of Producing Pilots through an Independent Training Program"

The Cultural Heritage Administration announced on the 3rd that it plans to register the 'Taegukgi Flag Signed by the First Graduating Class of the Air Force Academy on Their First Sortie,' which is housed at the Air Force Museum, as a cultural heritage asset. Opinions from various sectors will be collected for one month, and the registration decision will be finalized after review by the Cultural Heritage Committee.

This Taegukgi flag was presented to Cheon Yeong-seong, a first graduating class cadet about to embark on his first sortie during the Korean War, with messages from second-class juniors wishing for victory. It bears inscriptions and signatures such as 'Imjeonmuteo (臨戰無退, No Retreat in Battle)', 'Sinnyeom (信念, Faith)', 'Joguk Tongil (祖國統一, National Unification)', 'Kwaenama (快男兒, Brave Man)', and 'Chukcho Chul-gyeok Seonbae Cheon Yeong-seong Jungwi (祝初出擊 先輩 千永星 中尉, Congratulations on Your First Sortie, Senior Lieutenant Cheon Yeong-seong)'. The flag measures 55.5 cm in width and 89 cm in height.

Cheon Yeong-seong received this Taegukgi flag at a send-off ceremony on December 5, 1952, and flew 62 sorties. He was deployed with an F-51D fighter squadron in the air support operation for the Battle of Hill 351 in Goseong, Gangwon Province, contributing to securing the Sokcho and Ganseong areas by destroying enemy bunkers and caves. After the Korean War, he served as the Chief of Operations Staff at the Air Force Headquarters, among other positions.

The Cultural Heritage Administration explained, "This flag not only encourages pilots heading into sorties but also reveals their determination and resolve for victory in the war," adding, "It holds significant historical value as it reflects the will and efforts of our country to train pilots through its own educational system during the war."

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