KPC3420: 70th Anniversary of the R.O.K. Air Force

Airshows that accompany various national events and local festivals always draw passionate responses and admiration from those in attendance. Its hard not to be filled with a sense of pride while watching the stunning performances of the Black Eagles, the Republic of Korea Air Force(R.O.K. Air Force)s flight display team, whose incredible teamwork and sophisticated aerobatics skills never fail to impress us. Korea Post is issuing commemorative stamps to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the R.O.K Air Force, which serves the core functions in national defense amid the many abrupt changes in the atmosphere of national security.

From the beginning, the R.O.K. Air Force was faced with many difficulties. Unlike the Republic of Korea Marine Corps and the Republic of Korea Army, the need for the existence of the air force as a separate branch was questioned, and as a result, they started out as an air unit belonging to the R.O.K. Army. Behind such doubts was the United States Army Military Government, which ruled South Korea after 1945 independence. They strongly argued against the founding of Koreas own air force, claiming that the ground-based army and navy were enough. However, the aviation experts along with the so called seven founders of the R.O.K. Air Force, including Choi Yong-duk, Lee Young-mu, pushed forward with their proposal, and their hard work came to fruition with the establishment of the air unit and the Aviation Academy that was created to foster the future leaders of the air force.

On October 1st, 1949, the R.O.K. Air Force was founded as a separate branch from the R.O.K. Army, along with the official commencement of the Korea Air Force Academy, which was also separated from the Aviation Academy belonging to the R.O.K. Army. That day, with 1,600 soldiers and 20 liaison aircraft, the history of the R.O.K. Air Force finally began against all odds. While this achievement could be attributed to the efforts of many people, one person in particular was vital to the success. General Choi Yong-duk, who gave his all to pave the path for this end, earned the nickname, the Father of the R.O.K. Air Force. May 14th, 1950 was marked as a historical day as it was the moment when Korea imported ten aircraft from Canada aided by a donation from the people while General Choi was appointed as the second Superintendent of the Korea Air Force Academy. General Choi, who was the Chief of Staff of the Air Force during the Korean War, urged the importance of having the capacity to manufacture our own aircraft and helped Korea create its first light aircraft, Buhwal.

Thanks to the perseverance of the R.O.K. Air Force and the dedication of the Korea Air Force Academy that continued to nurture talented cadets even during the war, the R.O.K. Air Force now has amassed seventy years of history and tradition. Through the issuance of these commemorative stamps that celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the R.O.K. Air Force, Korea Post look forward to the vital role the R.O.K. Air Force will play in strengthening self-reliance in national defense.