Former Air Force Vice Chief Tapped to Lead Korea Aerospace Industry Association

Yoon Byung-ho, former Vice Chief of Staff of the Republic of Korea Air Force, has been nominated as the next executive vice chairman of the Korea Aerospace Industry Association (KAIA), industry sources said.

According to defense industry officials on the 17th, Yoon was selected as the top candidate in the association's executive vice chairman recruitment process, which closed on the 2nd. His appointment is expected immediately upon approval from the Government Ethics Committee.

Once he clears the employment review by the Government Ethics Committee, Yoon will undergo the executive vice chairman appointment procedure at the KAIA board of directors. He is expected to officially assume office as the 15th executive vice chairman as early as next month. His term will be three years, running until the regular general meeting in February 2029.

The current executive vice chairman is Kim Min-seok, former spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense and a former military affairs journalist, who was appointed under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration. His three-year term concluded on February 28.

Yoon is a graduate of the 38th class of the Korea Air Force Academy and was commissioned in 1990. He held key positions including commander of the aviation operations group at the 15th Special Mission Wing (colonel), director of policy at Air Force Headquarters and commander of the 16th Fighter Wing (brigadier general), director of personnel at Air Force Headquarters (major general), and Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force and Superintendent of the Air Force Academy (lieutenant general). He is an expert in operations and policy.

Yoon served as an advisor on the National Defense and Security Advisory Council under the "Real Republic of Korea" election committee for presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung during the 21st presidential election. The advisory council also included Park In-ho, former Air Force Chief of Staff who was appointed as ambassador to Israel, Won In-chul, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Kim Jung-soo, former Chief of Naval Operations.

KAIA is an aerospace industry organization under the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA), established in 1992. At its regular general meeting in February 2025, the association changed its name from the Korea Aerospace Industries Association to the Korea Aerospace Industry Association. Its supervising authority was also transferred from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to KASA. The association has approximately 150 domestic and foreign aerospace companies as members.

The association is responsible for policy recommendations for aerospace industry development, improving related regulations, supporting aviation research and development projects, and hosting the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX).

"As a former high-ranking general who held key positions in operations and policy in the Air Force, former Vice Chief Yoon received the highest evaluation during the review process as the best candidate to lead the association," a KAIA official said. "He was recognized for his capabilities in advancing the aerospace industry ecosystem, strengthening export competitiveness and supply chains, and expanding support for member companies."