Portrait of Lee Ho-jeong (Photo: Republic of Korea Air Force).
Lee, 41, was one of four people selected as “national pilots” to represent the public this year. After being selected, the woman – who became a naturalized citizen in 2007 – said she wanted to motivate other marriage immigrants to pursue their goals, according to the Republic of Korea Air Force.
According to the Korea Times , Ms. Lee always wanted to become a professional pilot since she was a child but was unable to pursue that dream due to financial difficulties. But she did not give up.
Lee, a mother of two who works in banking and teaches Vietnamese, was able to obtain a light aircraft pilot's license.
Every two years, the South Korean Air Force selects four national pilots and gives them the opportunity to fly military aircraft.
Korean citizens over the age of 17 can apply. To be selected, candidates must undergo intensive flight training after passing the interview round.
This year, national pilots will fly on T-50 fighter jets at the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX) held at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Kyunggi Province.
The test flight, led by a South Korean Air Force pilot, will take place on October 21. The team is scheduled to fly over Gangwon Province to the east coast.
After completing the hour-long flight, they will return to Seoul Air Base and be presented with commemorative red scarves, a symbolic item commonly worn by South Korean pilots.
According to the South Korean Air Force, 2,678 people applied to become national pilots this year, marking the highest competition rate since the event began in 2007.
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