In the early days of Korean commercial flights, there were many terrifying incidents. From 1970 to 1999, 17 Korean Airlines aircraft have been involved in accidents or incidents that cost around 700 lives. There were at least three flights that were shot down by the Soviet Union, one in which US senator Larry MacDonald was killed. These incidents were particularly meaningful given the political atmosphere and importance of the Korean peninsula. One of these early Korean flights, a YS-11 plane built by a Japanese company traveling from Seoul to Gangneung, was hijacked by a South Korean passenger who demanded that the pilot take the plane to North Korea, where his brother lived. The hijacker was successful and the South Korean and North Korean governments negotiated for the release of hostages. Two years later, another hijacking attempt was made. This time, Lee Jae-hyeong, the co-pilot of Korean Air Lines Flight 1967, gave his life in order to save everyone on the flight, an action that was one of the many incidents that solidified the identity and togetherness of the newly formed South Korean nation.
Early Life
Lee Jae-Hyeong was born on March 15, 1942, in Seoul, South Korea. In his youth, Lee exhibited a keen interest in aviation, often spending hours at local airfields watching planes take off and land. His interest in aviation was heightened and tied to the fact that South Korea was a young nation that was immensely poor. To many outside observers, South Korea seemed like a puppet government for the United States government.
To make things worse, South Korea’s GDP was 67 dollars, which was lower than Somalia at the time, the poorest nation in Africa. The chaos and poverty in the nation fed Lee’s interest in flying and the machines that made flight possible. This fascination grew until he developed enough to pursue a career in aviation. After completing his secondary education, Lee enrolled in the Korea Aviation College, where he excelled in both his theoretical and practical studies. Graduating with top honors, he quickly gained a reputation as a diligent and capable pilot.
In 1965, Lee joined Korean Air Lines, starting as a junior pilot on domestic routes. The early flights in Korea were very short and only the more wealthy could afford such flights. Lee’s life was normal and he worked very hard to distinguish himself as a competent pilot. His dedication and skill did not go unnoticed, and he quickly rose through the ranks to become a co-pilot on international flights. By 1971, Lee was a respected figure within the airline, known for his calm demeanor and exceptional flying abilities.
Perhaps one reason why Lee Jae-hyeong is a forgotten figure is because he is just a normal person. He did not spend his life fighting for Korean independence or working as a politician. His life was not filled with drama, violence, art, or chaos. Lee Jae-hyeong was a citizen and a pilot, and he stepped up out of his role in order to act as a citizen is expected to act but rarely does.
The Fateful Flight
The day of the fateful flight was a day like any other. On December 5, 1971, Lee Jae-Hyeong was assigned to be the co-pilot of Korean Air Lines Flight 1967, a Fokker F-27 Friendship aircraft. The domestic flight, carrying 60 passengers and 5 flight crew members, was en route from Gangneung to Seoul when it was hijacked by a 22-year-old South Korean who attempted to redirect the plane to Pyongyang in North Korea. The hijacker demanded to be flown to North Korea, threatening the lives of everyone on board.
Despite the extreme danger, Lee remained composed. Understanding the critical importance of maintaining calm to prevent panic among the passengers, he worked alongside the captain, Kim Chang-Kyu, to manage the situation. Lee’s primary focus was on ensuring the safety of the passengers and crew. Thus, he pressed the pilot to seal the cockpit door and he remained in the cabin, attempting to negotiate with the hijacker.
However, the would-be hijacker attempted to use two hand grenades to blast open the sealed door to the pilot’s cockpit. Lee was fatally injured while protecting the cockpit door. Four other crew members along with 12 passengers were wounded. The pilot was able to carry out an emergency belly landing on the beach.
Conclusion
Lee Jae-hyeong’s sacrifice not only saved 63 lives, his bravery signaled to the Korean people that there was solidarity and loyalty among South Koreans. For a new nation, this solidarity was crucial for building trust in fellow countrymen and the spirit of the nation. There were more traditional heroes such as warriors or politicians, but in civil, everyday life, there had not been many heroes. Lee’s sacrifice showed that a citizen has the power to step up out of their normal lives to take an enormous step of bravery and self-sacrifice. Lee may have done what he did out of an intense feeling of professionalism, responsibility for fellow countrymen, or simply out of a love of humanity. However, his act carried immense meaning that will rarely be mentioned in any history book or political speech.
By: Seunghwan Lee
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