"Mom, Don't Worry"... Reunion with Pilot Who Died in the Line of Duty 16 Years Ago Through AI

AI-Restored Late Major Park Incheol
"Do Not Be Sad Because of Me"

Major the late Park In-cheol (Korea Air Force Academy Class of '52), who died in the line of duty 16 years ago due to an unexpected accident, was resurrected through artificial intelligence (AI) technology and reunited with his mother. This is the first time the Ministry of National Defense has used AI to restore the image of a fallen soldier.

On the 5th, the YouTube channel 'Defense NEWS' revealed the restored image of Major Park using AI deepfake technology in the episode titled "That Day, Military Story - Meeting the Late Major Park In-cheol."

Major Park lost his life in July 2007 during a KF-16 interception training accident over the West Sea. His father, the late Major Park Myung-ryeol (Korea Air Force Academy Class of '26), also died in the line of duty in March 1984 during the Team Spirit training while piloting an F-4E fighter jet.

[Image source=YouTube channel 'Gukbang NEWS']

Major Park’s mother, Lee Joon-shin, said she watched a documentary on a broadcasting station a few years ago that revived deceased family members through VR (virtual reality) and thought, "I wish I could see In-cheol like that someday."

When the virtual human restored to look like Major Park appeared on the monitor, Ms. Lee’s eyes welled up with tears. Facing her son, she said, "I missed you" and asked, "How was it meeting your father?" Major Park replied, "I talked a lot about things I couldn’t say before with my father," and added, "I am happy and doing well after meeting him."

Major the late Park In-cheol restored with AI technology. [Image source=YouTube channel 'Defense NEWS']

Major Park also said, "I am doing well, so please don’t worry," and added, "Now I somewhat understand why Mom worried about me eating properly when I was alone." He continued, "When you are alone, don’t skip meals and be sure to eat delicious food," and said, "I hope you don’t be sad because of me." Ms. Lee responded, "Except for leaving my side too early, I think you were very admirable and I am proud of you."

Finally, when Ms. Lee said, "I want to meet you again," Major Park replied, "When you miss me, please look at the western sky. I will be waving my hand then."

Meanwhile, the late father and son Park are buried side by side at the National Seoul National Cemetery. Currently, at the Air Force Academy in Cheongju, Chungbuk Province, a bust symbolizing 'Giin Dongche' (機人同體), meaning the fighter jet and pilot as one body, stands in their honor.

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