SEOUL, Oct. 13 (Korea Bizwire) – The Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition, known as Seoul ADEX, is set to take place from October 17 to 22 at Seoul International Airport in Seongnam, South Korea.
Seoul ADEX is South Korea’s premier comprehensive trade exhibition dedicated to the aerospace and defense sector, held every two years.
This year’s exhibition promises exciting highlights, as it will mark the public debut of the domestically produced KAI KF-21 Boramae fighter jet’s actual fuselage, along with a scheduled test flight.
In a special nod to the 70th anniversary of the Korea-U.S. alliance, attendees will also be able to witness the display of the U.S. military’s F-22 Raptor, renowned as the world’s most powerful fighter jet, the F-35B stealth fighter, the MQ-1C unmanned aerial vehicle, and the EA-18G electronic warfare attack aircraft.
Discussions are ongoing regarding the possible inclusion of U.S. strategic bombers in the exhibition.
One particularly intriguing aspect of Seoul ADEX is the selection of “National Pilots.” These fortunate individuals will have the unique opportunity to experience flying on a domestic T-50 advanced training aircraft alongside Air Force combat pilots.
The “National Pilot” event has been a biennial tradition since 2007, affording members of the public an insight into the responsibilities of Air Force pilots. To date, 37 National Pilots have participated.
Among this year’s final four pilots, who achieved this distinction against a record competition rate of 692 to 1, you’ll find a diverse range of backgrounds. This group includes a family member of a fallen pilot, a naturalized Vietnamese citizen, a neurosurgeon, and a young man in his twenties, who happens to be the youngest person ever to complete the 4 Deserts Ultramarathon Series.
Out of 2,768 applicants for “National Pilot” selection, 40 were initially chosen through a document screening process, with 11 proceeding to in-depth interviews. The four selected pilots underwent rigorous training, including adaptation to flight environments, acceleration tolerance, emergency escape, and low-pressure chamber training.
One noteworthy individual in this group is Lee Ho Jung (41), the only woman selected. She moved to Korea from Vietnam in 2001 with her husband and obtained naturalized citizenship in 2007.
Alongside her roles as a bank teller and Vietnamese language instructor, she also earned a light aircraft pilot’s license. Her motivation for applying was to inspire multicultural families, demonstrating that they can overcome language and cultural barriers to achieve their dreams.
Another standout is Kim Jong-seop, 49, the brother of a fallen Air Force pilot. Major Kim Jong-soo, his brother, was tragically killed in action on July 13, 2005, during a night mission in an F-5 fighter jet over the West Sea.
Kim Eui-hyun, a 47-year-old neurosurgeon, is also part of the group. His professional calling revolves around treating patients with brain tumors, and his selection as a National Pilot reflects his desire to provide hope to patients at critical crossroads in their lives.
The fourth pilot is Yoo Yoo-hyun, a 26-year-old university student who became the youngest person to complete the 4 Deserts Ultramarathon Series in the Sahara, Gobi Desert, Atacama Desert, and Antarctica in 2018.
Looking ahead to Seoul ADEX 2023, set to commence on November 21 at Seoul International Airport in Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi Province, the National Pilots will embark on a one-hour flight experience alongside Air Force pilots aboard T-50s and FA-50s.
The Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition, known as Seoul ADEX, is set to take place from October 17 to 22 at Seoul International Airport in Seongnam, South Korea. (Image courtesy of the Republic of Korea Air Force)
Their journey will take them from Seoul International Airport over the Taebaek Mountains to Jeongdongjin and Samcheok on the east coast, where they’ll engage in airborne combat and tactical mission maneuvers within mission airspace before returning home. After the flight, they will receive a red mahura (muffler), symbolizing an Air Force pilot, and a certificate of appointment as a National Pilot.
This year’s ADEX event is anticipated to be the most significant ever, featuring 550 exhibitors from 34 countries and boasting the largest number of foreign delegates to date, with 114 representatives from 55 countries.
The attendance of defense ministers from nine countries, including Malaysia, Australia, and Iraq, along with air force chiefs of staff from 14 countries, underscores the event’s global prominence.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
