Air Force chief to visit U.S. to discuss cooperation

Gen. Lee Wang-keun. Yonhap

The country's top Air Force commander will soon visit the United States to discuss the two countries' alliance and ways to boost defense cooperation, Air Force officials said Saturday.

Gen. Lee Wang-keun, the Air Force chief of staff, will start an eight-day visit to the United States, Sunday, having received a formal invitation from his U.S. counterpart, Gen. David L. Goldfein.

During his trip, Lee will visit the headquarters of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Northern Command and meet with their chiefs to discuss the South Korea-U.S. alliance and touch on issues promoting partnerships.

In addition, he will pay his respects to fallen soldiers at the Korean War Veterans Memorial.

Lee also plans to go to Luke Air Force Base in Arizona to check on the F-35 stealth fighter jet project, which South Korea is buying, and give a pep talk to South Korean pilots and engineers who are receiving training at the U.S. base.

In addition, he will receive the Legion of Merit from the U.S. government for his contribution to the alliance, the officials said.

(Yonhap)

This file photo, taken Sept. 4, 2018, shows Gen. Lee Wang-keun, South Korea's Air Force chief of staff, at a seminar in Seoul. (Yonhap) This file photo, taken Sept. 4, 2018, shows Gen. Lee Wang-keun, South Korea's Air Force chief of staff, at a seminar in Seoul. (Yonhap)