AF Academy to send cadets to South Korea for semester

  • Published
  • By Ray Bowden
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs

The Republic of Korea Air Force Academy will begin hosting cadets from the U.S. Air Force Academy for a semester of study later this year.

The semester exchange program is the result of an agreement signed by the U.S. and South Korea, June 8.

“The Department of the Air Force and Republic of Korea air force share a long history of cooperation based on common interests, shared values and robust personal relationships that have developed through extensive Airman-to-Airman interactions,” said
Kelli Seybolt, deputy undersecretary of the Air Force, international affairs.

Lt. Gen. Sung Chun Choi, superintendent of the Republic of Korea Air Force Academy in Cheongju, South Korea, and Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, the Air Force Academy’s superintendent, met via livestream June 22 to discuss the program, saying they’ll promote their partner-nation goals as military leaders and new friends.

“I give you my pledge that we will do our best at the Air Force Academy to further our partnership over the coming years, and make this a great experience for Korean cadets,” Clark said, referring to the new semester exchange. This adds to the existing four-year international cadet program from which, since 1972, 28 South Korean cadets have graduated from the Air Force Academy.

Choi said the program is the result of two years of conversation and negotiation between the two countries.

“Both (U.S. and South Korean) cadets can understand the global security environment and learn more about the Republic of Korea-U.S. alliance," he said.

Cadet 3rd Class Brian Park and Cadet 2nd Class David Song are scheduled to leave Colorado for the Republic of Korea Air Force Academy in August.

“By establishing this exchange, our cadets will gain additional regional perspective by immersing in the rich cultural history of Korea, further strengthening our alliance for generations to come,” Seybolt said. “Katchi Kapshida – We go together.”