South Korean Air Force Just Commissioned 205 New Officers—And Their Stories Are Unbelievable

Twin former soccer players commissioned, alongside others with unique backgrounds such as renouncing U.S. citizenship for military service.

On Wednesday, the South Korean Air Force held the 153rd Air Force Officer Candidate Commissioning Ceremony at the main parade ground of the Air Force Education Command (hereafter Education Command) under the supervision of Major General Choi Chun Song, the Commander of the Air Force Education Command. 205 elite Air Force officers (72 women) were commissioned during the event.

The candidates who entered the Basic Military Training Unit of the Education Command on August 26 underwent 12 weeks of rigorous and realistic training, including guerrilla, base defense, and field comprehensive training (marching). These programs helped them develop the physical and mental strength essential for officers.

Additionally, the candidates participated in a mental strength presentation and commander-led education sessions to foster a strong sense of patriotism, adversary awareness, and military discipline. Through a comprehensive commissioning evaluation that included strict and fair training assessments, they emerged as elite Air Force officers equipped with combat command capabilities.

The newly commissioned officers will now take on pivotal roles in defending the nation’s airspace in various operational units and lead efforts to build a powerful aerospace force that will dominate future battlefields.

The ceremony was attended by key dignitaries such as the Chairman of the Air Force Veterans Association, the Chairman of the Air Force Academy Officers’ Association, and the families and friends of the newly commissioned officers. The event included the presentation of certificates and awards, the conferral of commissioning orders and rank insignia, the commissioning oath, and remarks from the Commander of the Education Command.

Major General Choi Chun Song addressed the new officers, saying, “From today, you are elite Air Force officers dedicated to serving the nation and its people. I urge you, the youngest and most dynamic members of the Air Force, to play a vital role in defending the Republic of Korea’s airspace with creative thinking and passionate dedication.”

Meanwhile, the Defense Minister’s Award, given to the officer with the highest overall performance, was presented to Lieutenant Kim Yoo An (23, logistics and transportation). Additionally, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Award went to Lieutenant Lee Soo Mi (24, air traffic control), the Chief of Staff of the Air Force Award to Lieutenant Kwon Hyuk Kyu (22, finance), and the Commander of the Education Command Award to Lieutenant Kim Joon Hyung (23, personnel and education).

Meanwhile, the commissioning ceremony drew attention for featuring officers with unique stories, including twin former soccer players Lieutenant Lee Do Hoon (23, engineering) and Lieutenant Lee Do Hyung (23, weapons maintenance); Lieutenant Park Hye Won (25, logistics and transportation), whose sister, Lieutenant Junior Grade Park Hye Jeong, is also an Air Force officer; Lieutenant Kim Sun Hee (23, air defense artillery), part of a family where all three siblings serve as Air Force personnel; Lieutenant Cho Min Ki (23, interpreter), who lost 110 pounds over four months to enlist; and Lieutenant Lim Se Hyun (24, interpreter), who renounced U.S. citizenship to join the Air Force.