JCS chief inspects aerial defense posture aboard KF-21 fighter jet

Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Jin Yong-sung toured an Air Force facility and examined the country's aerial defense capabilities while onboard the domestically produced KF-21 fighter jet. He stopped at the 16th Fighter Wing in Yecheon County, located approximately 160 kilometers southeast of Seoul, to assess the defense posture and directed a coordinated flight between the KF-21 and FA-50 fighter jets, as reported by the JCS.

Upon meeting with pilots, Gen. Jin emphasized the importance of preserving a state of readiness and the ability to deter adversaries through superior air power, as well as the necessity to swiftly respond to emergencies. The General also paid a visit to an Air Force unit responsible for monitoring ballistic missile launches, where he assessed the operational readiness of the Korea Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) system.

He described the KAMD as a crucial component of South Korea's three-axis deterrence system, designed to identify and neutralize incoming ballistic and other missiles in their early stages to mitigate potential damage.

The KAMD system is one of three main pillars supporting South Korea's defense strategy, alongside the Kill Chain preemptive strike system and the Korea Massive Punishment system.