President Lee Jae Myung on March 25 speaks at the rollout ceremony for the mass production of the country's first domestically developed fighter KF-21 at Korea Aerospace Industries in Sacheon, Gyeongsangnam-do Province.

By Kim Hyelin
Photos = Cheong Wa Dae
Video - YouTube account of KTV

President Lee Jae Myung on March 25 announced a new milestone in the country's self-reliant defense through the start of mass production of the country's first domestically developed fighter jet KF-21.

"Finally, we now own weapons to safeguard peace with our own technology and determination not only on the soil and seas but also the skies of the Republic of Korea," he said at the rollout ceremony held at Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in Sacheon, Gyeongsangnam-do Province.

The rollout came 25 years after then President Kim Dae-jung on 2001 announced a plan to develop a homegrown fighter jet.

President Lee praised the hard work of those involved in the project, saying, "Despite numerous obstacles, research and technical teams as well as government and military officials transformed the impossible into reality."

He also emphasized the strategic and industrial value of the KF-21.

"Having proven its world-class defense technology through its K9 self-propelled howitzer and Cheongung missiles, the Republic of Korea has emerged as a true leader in the global defense industry that autonomously designs and produces even fighter jets," he said. "We will use this success as a stepping stone to rank among the world's top four in the defense industry."

He also announced swift efforts to develop cutting-edge engines, materials and components to continuously upgrade national competitiveness in the sector.

President Lee Jae Myung (right) on March 25 meets staff at the building for fixed-wing aircraft production at the Korea Aerospace Industries compound in Sacheon, Gyeongsangnam-do Province.

After the ceremony, President Lee inspected a production site for fixed-wing aircraft, checking the assembly status of export records to Malaysia, Poland and Indonesia and speaking to staff there.

Speaking at the building, which was the size of three soccer fields, he said, "I checked that the entire process, from the start of production to flight operations, was thoroughly systematized."

He was accompanied by ambassadors from major economies like the U.K., Peru, Japan and Canada.

The first produced KF-21 will be deployed in September after finishing verification by the manufacturer and the Republic of Korea Air Force.