Flights Canceled After Drinking: Ordered by Air Force Chief of Staff

[Anchor]

We previously reported that pilots drank and partied at Air Force communication sessions, leading to the cancellation of flights the following day. It has now been confirmed that the person who ordered flights canceled after drinking was none other than Air Force Chief of Staff Son Seok-rak.

Defense correspondent Kim Tae-hoon reports.

[Reporter]

Starting with an accidental bombing by a fighter jet in March of last year, followed by dropped fuel tanks, takeoff failures, and midair collisions, pilot laxity came under intense scrutiny amid a series of aircraft accidents.

The method chosen by Air Force Headquarters to boost pilot morale was drinking and partying.

In April and May, Air Force leadership toured all 13 fighter wings to hold discussion sessions, and Chief of Staff Son Seok-rak personally presided over the meetings at six of those wings.

An active-duty pilot who attended a gathering hosted by the Chief of Staff told SBS, "When the Chief of Staff offered drinks, saying, 'You don't have to fly tomorrow, right?' pilots cheered and drank."

Another pilot said, "Rumors quickly spread that flight missions were being canceled after drinking, so pilots drank freely at each wing's gathering."

In response to SBS's inquiry seeking confirmation, Air Force Headquarters admitted that flight missions were canceled following drinking at the gatherings under orders from the Chief of Staff.

Air Force Headquarters explained, "Out of the six wing gatherings hosted by the Chief of Staff, flight missions were canceled after drinking on three occasions, and on another occasion, flight missions were canceled the following day due to weather conditions."

In a statement sent to SBS, Chief of Staff Son stated, "Out of consideration to encourage the pilots and allow them to take part in the gathering comfortably without the stress of flying, even for a single day, I ordered the flight training sessions to be canceled," adding, "I apologize for causing concern to the public as a result."

(Video by Kim Hyun-sang | Video Editing by Jeong Seong-hun | Graphics by Jeon Yoo-geun)

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