Air Force Chief Resigns Over Fighter Crash

President Roh Moo-hyun accepted the resignation of Air Force Chief of Staff Kim Sung-il (59, 20th class of Korea Air Force Academy) on March 21.

“General Kim’s successor will be decided early next month. Since this is not a discharge case, he will continue carrying out his duties until the new chief is selected,” Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Yoon Seung-yong said.

“Assuming responsibility for several incidents, including the crash of a KF-16 fighter jet in Boryeong City, South Chungcheong Province, which occurred on the 13th last month due to poor maintenance, General Kim expressed to National Defense Minister Kim Jang-soo his willingness to step down, hoping he could yield chances for juniors,” said an official in the Ministry of National Defense.

Through an announcement, Kim Sung-il said, “After the KF-16 accident, we have conducted thorough investigations on all air units and confirmed that the supply system was flawed. I was stunned to learn that numerous officers involved will have to be disciplined. I deeply regret this and ask for forgiveness from the nation.”

In addition, he also responded to accusations that he played golf with chaplain officers at a military golf course in Gyeryongdae on March 1, before the mourning period of Staff Sgt. Yoon Jang-ho, the first Korean soldier killed in action by a suicide-bomb while serving in Afghanistan, had ended. He said, “I sincerely apologize for the trouble I caused.”

Among the prospective successors are Air Force Operational Commander Bae Chang-sik and AFA Superintendent Lee Chan, who are in the 21st class of AFA, as well as Vice Air Force Chief of Staff Lee Young-ha and Top Intelligence Officer at Joint Chiefs of Staff Kim Eun-gi, who are from the 22nd class.

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