To accept the official invitations extended from the Royal Malaysian Air Force
and the Royal Australian Air Force, the Chief of Staff embarked on an official military diplomacy
from Wednesday, February 22nd to Wednesday, March 1st.
General Jung met with his Malaysian counterpart, General Asghar Khan and discussed ways
to reinforce the bonds of trust between the two nations,
while sharing thoughts on fostering bilateral defense and defense acquisition cooperation.
The Air Operations Commander, Lieutenant General Shahada greeted the ROK CSAF
and shared opinions on resuming bilateral fighter jets exchange flight
between pilots and strengthening coordination including logistics support
and student exchange program.
Next, the ROKAF Chief of Staff participated in the signing of the Letter of Acceptance
between representatives of the Government of Malaysia
and Korea Aerospace Industries(KAI), showing the steadfast defense exports partnership
between the ROKAF and the ROK Defense Acquisition Program Administration(DAPA).
The Chief then traveled to Melbourne, Australia. His first official itinerary was to visit the Australian
National Korean War Memorial to honor and commemorate the sacrifices of the Australian veterans
during the Korean War.
General Jung then attended the 2023 Chief of Air Force Symposium to share current regional
security situation and has seen eye to eye in expanding defense cooperation
with the RAAF Chief of Air Force,
Air Marshal Robert Chipman, Commander of the Pacific Air Forces, General Kenneth Wilsbach,
Secretary of the Air Force/International Affairs, Ms Kelli Seybolt,
Commander of the United States Space Forces Indo-Pacific, Brigadier General Anthony Mastalir,
Chief of the Air Staff of the Royal Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston,
Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force, Lieutenant General Stephen Parreno,
Chief of the German Air Force, Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, and Commander of the Royal Canadian
Air Force, Lieutenant General Eric Kenny.
Finally, the ROKAF Chief of Staff visited
the “Avalon Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defense Exposition”
to watch the Black Eagles performing at the opening stage.
General Jung took a moment to encourage and express his gratitude for the pilots
and the maintenance crew of the Black Eagles for promoting the ROKAF
and Korea’s domestically produced aircraft.