KVC-XX Next-Generation Presidential Aircraft
The president of the Republic of Korea uses a Boeing 737-300 aircraft. But due to its short range, it is only used in flights to Japan or China. While using long flights, the president borrows a Boeing 747-400 from Asiana Airlines or Korean Air.
In June 2006 it was reported that the government planned to buy an advanced, presidential jetliner worth some $140 million by 2010 under its mid-term procurement plan. The aircraft acquisition project was to be made public in early 2007 with the final bidder selected by October 2007, Col. Seo Woo-deok of the ministry’s weapons procurement bureau told reporters. "The current government-owned Boeing-737 plane has problems regarding the seating capacity and flying range," Seo said. "So, we are planning to buy a new, presidential air transport that has a seating capacity of about 150 and can make a non-stop flight to Europe."
Increasing overseas trips by the president in recent years, in accordance with the country’s growing economy, is also a reason for the project. The current Boeing 737, introduced in 1985, accommodates only 30 passengers. It is unable to fly out of Northeast Asian countries without refueling. For long-distance travel, the government has used chartered flights paying some $930,000 per trip, a government source said. The project needs National Assembly approval before implementation, the colonel said, adding once introduced, the presidential jet will be shared by the prime minister and National Assembly speaker when they make overseas trips.
Military sources said a Boeing 747 or 777 was expected to be chosen as South Korea’s presidential airplane. The US Air Force maintains Air Force One, a modified Boeing 747, for their president. The US presidential aircraft is referred to as a mobile bunker as it features high-tech security systems. Currently, presidential airliners are operated by many Western nations including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Canada. Japan and China also have presidential aircraft.
On 18 January 2007 South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun met with James McNerney, the visiting chairman of Boeing Co., and asked the U.S. aircraft maker to increase investment in South Korea and improve relations with Korean firms. President Roh Moo-hyun said he had pushed to buy a new presidential airplane for his successor, but the National Assembly cut the related budget. "I always used a Boeing jet for my overseas trips. I had tried to buy an exclusive presidential airplane, but failed due to opposition from the National Assembly," he said during his meeting with the Boeing chief. The Roh government asked for an initial budget of 30 billion won ($US32 million) in its presidential jet project in 2006, but the main opposition Grand National Party vetoed it.
