President Lee Jae-myung salutes the national flag during a senior advisors meeting at the Blue House on January 29, 2026. [Photo = Yonhap News]
President Lee Jae-myung paid tribute to the Army aviators who perished in a helicopter crash during a training exercise in Gapyeong County, vowing to provide appropriate honors and support for the fallen.
On the 10th, President Lee took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his condolences, stating, “I bow my head in solemn respect for the ultimate sacrifice made by Chief Warrant Officer Jung Sang-geun and Warrant Officer Jang Hee-sung, who lost their lives while executing training missions in extreme weather conditions.”
The President emphasized, “These brave aviators maintained control of their aircraft until the very end, prioritizing the safety of our citizens. The crash site was a mere 60 meters from a residential area. A slight deviation in trajectory could have resulted in a catastrophic loss of civilian life.”
Lee added, “We must never forget that our nation’s peace and security are built upon the unwavering dedication and sacrifice of true patriots like these.”
The President also pledged to honor the fallen pilots and support their families. “My heart goes out to the families who must bid farewell to their cherished sons, husbands, and fathers,” Lee stated. “While words cannot fully express the depth of your loss, I assure you that our nation will provide all necessary support and recognition befitting their heroic service.”
The incident occurred on the morning of the 9th at 11:04 AM, when an AH-1S Cobra attack helicopter from the Army’s 15th Aviation Brigade crashed during an emergency procedure drill near Shinha Bridge in Hyeon-ri, Gapyeong County.
Both the pilot and co-pilot, both warrant officers, were rushed to the hospital in critical condition but succumbed to their injuries.
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