Bahk Eun-ji has been with The Korea Times since 2012, building a career across multiple desks. She began at the Business Desk, where she conducted in-depth interviews with key figures in Korea's corporate world. Later, she moved to the Politics & City Desk, focusing on education policy and social affairs. She later served as team leader of the digital content team, leading curation efforts on the newspaper’s homepage and reshaping print stories for social media audiences to enhance digital reach. Now back on the Politics Desk, she covers the National Assembly and the Ministry of National Defense, with a renewed focus on political developments.
Air Force doctor helps troops fight smoking with grit and trust
Lt. Col. Kim Young-jin, right, commander of the medical battalion at the Air Force’s 20th Fighter Wing, measures an airman's lung capacity as part of a smoking cessation campaign at the unit’s base in Seosan, South Chungcheong Province, June 6. Courtesy of the 20th Fighter Wing
By Bahk Eun-ji
For Lt. Col. Kim Young-jin, commander of the medical battalion at the Air Force’s 20th Fighter Wing, tackling smoking isn’t about strict enforcement — it’s about empathy, persistence and meeting people where they are.
Recognized with a health minister’s award on World No Tobacco Day, Kim has quietly led a shift in attitudes toward smoking within the base where she serves. Since joining the military as a nurse officer in 2007, she has organized mobile counseling sessions, lunchtime campaigns and informal conversations with troops.
“You can sense it — people are changing, little by little,” she said.
What sets her approach apart is its accessibility. Realizing that rigid clinic hours don’t suit military life, Kim brought counseling directly to the troops. More recently, she launched a task force with security and safety teams to reevaluate smoking zones and reduce secondhand smoke exposure.
She also plans to expand cancer screenings — currently limited to pilots — to include their families.
“When you see possible cancer risks in your children, it changes how you think,” she said.
Lt. Col. Kim Young-jin / Courtesy of the 20th Fighter Wing
Some of the most powerful moments come from quiet conversations.
One officer thought he had hidden his smoking habit from his wife. In truth, she knew — and asked Kim to help him quit. Thinking of his young daughter, he eventually did.
“People change for love,” Kim said.
The smoking rate at the base dropped slightly from 36.1 percent to 35 percent in the past year, but Kim believes the real progress lies in changing the environment.
“If the smoking area is 10 meters away, it’s convenient. If it’s 500 meters away, it becomes a hassle – and that’s often the push people need to stop,” she explained.
Kim compares quitting smoking to wearing seat belts.
“It felt awkward at first, but now it’s second nature. That’s what I’m hoping for here — not a forced habit, but a new normal.”
For her, it’s not just about tobacco, it’s about creating a culture where health is valued, where conversations matter and where even small changes can lead to something lasting.