(LEAD) Park hails deployment of S. Korea's FA-50 aircraft

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SEOUL, Oct. 30 (Yonhap) -- President Park Geun-hye called on the military Thursday to remain in full readiness as she hailed the operational deployment of South Korea's FA-50 aircraft.

"Now, our security situation is very grave," Park, wearing an Air Force jacket, said in a ceremony marking the deployment of the fighter jets built by Korea Aerospace Industries, South Korea's sole aircraft manufacturer.

Park's comments came a day after North Korea rejected South Korea's offer of high-level talks in protest of anti-Pyongyang leaflets.

The two Koreas had agreed to hold high-level talks between late October and early November during a recent surprise visit to South Korea by a high-powered North Korean delegation. South Korea later proposed to hold the talks on Oct. 30 as North Korea had asked the South to set a date.

Park also described the deployment of the fighter jets as "a historic day" during her speech at the air force base in Wonju, some 130 kilometers southeast of Seoul.

Last month, South Korea's Air Force deployed a squadron of 20 FA-50 aircraft. It also plans to deploy 40 more FA-50 fighter jets in coming years to replace its aging fleet of U.S.-designed F-5Es and F-5Fs.

Park also called for efforts to produce more advanced fighter jets, saying the deployment of the FA-50 aircraft is the first step in the development of South Korea's fighter jets.

The FA-50 is a light attack variant of the T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic trainer that was co-developed by KAI and U.S. defense firm Lockheed Martin. It is the most advanced variant of the T-50 family operated by the South Korean Air Force.

After the speech, Park watched as two FA-50 jets executed an aerial maneuver.

The FA-50 has a radar warning receiver and a night vision imaging system, and is capable of carrying 4,500 kilograms of weapons. It also has a 20mm cannon and can carry air-to-air missiles.

In March, KAI signed a formal deal with the Philippines to sell 16 FA-50 fighter jets worth US$400 million to the Southeast Asian country.

entropy@yna.co.kr
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