By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kim Eun-ki began his trip to Russia, China and Japan for talks with his counterparts on bilateral ties, the Air Force said Sunday.
During his stay in Russia, Kim will discuss ways of deepening cooperation on aerospace with ranking Russian officials, it said.
Before flying to China, Kim will visit Baikonur, Kazakhstan, to encourage South Korea's first astronaut Yi So-yeon, 29, who will take off Tuesday for her 12-day mission to the International Space Station, it said.
In China, Kim will discuss the establishment of a hotline between the air forces of the two nations with his counterpart, it said. In Japan, Kim will ask Japan's air force to transfer the know-how of operating airborne early warning and control systems, it said.