Around 900 South Korean military pilots have left the armed forces
Nearly 900 pilots from the South Korean Air Force have left the armed forces for better-paying jobs with civilian airlines over the past decade, according to official data released today.
TL;DR
- 896 experienced South Korean Air Force pilots have resigned between 2017 and March 2026.
- Pilots had between 8 and 17 years of experience and were capable of independent operations and training.
- 730 fighter jet pilots, 148 cargo plane pilots, and 18 helicopter pilots resigned.
- 622 pilots joined Korean Air, and 146 joined Asiana Airlines.
- 103 pilots joined low-cost carriers.