Office workers, tourists and locals were strolling through Seoul’s bustling Gwanghwamun Square on Wednesday afternoon when the unmistakable sound of helicopters filled the air.

The four helicopters, identified by weapons expert Joost Olliemans as ROKA AH-64E Apache Guardians and UH-60P Black Hawks, made multiple passes at a low height at roughly the level of the upper floors of the nearby Seoul Finance Center, Channel A and Kyobo buildings. 

The flyovers in preparation for a military parade on Oct. 1 stopped people in their tracks, with many whipping out their phones to capture the moment.

But the training also sparked debate about whether the low-flying helicopters were unnecessarily putting the city at risk for a display of military strength that could just as well take place elsewhere.

WEIGHING THE RISKS

Although the government issued text alerts about the training drill ahead of time, there is always the risk of catastrophic failure when helicopters fly so low and close to occupied buildings.

History has shown that air show accidents can end in tragedy. For instance, a Mi-28 helicopter went into a deadly spin and crashed during the Ryazan air show in Russia in 2015, resulting in the death of one pilot and the injury of another.

More recently, two Malaysian navy helicopters collided during a parade rehearsal in April this year, claiming the lives of 10 crew members.

Other accidents include the 1988 Ramstein air show and the 2002 Sknyliv air show, which left scores dead and hundreds more injured. 

Even with the best training in the world, accidents happen.

DEBATE BETWEEN EXPERTS

Experts who spoke to Korea Pro were divided about the helicopter spectacle. 

Daniel Pinkston, a lecturer in international relations with Troy University and former air force linguist, didn’t pull any punches. 

“Conducting those flights in close proximity to those buildings runs the risk of an accident,” he told Korea Pro. “Even if an accident is a low probability event, accidents occur because of wind gusts, mechanical failures and pilot error, etc.”

ROK military helicopters fly between buildings in central Gwanghwamun on Aug. 14, 2024 | Image: Korea Pro

A single mistake could have profound consequences. 

“An accident in the Gwanghwamun area would come with extremely high costs, which could come in the form of lives lost, physical damage to structures, social trauma and political costs for the government.”

While Pinkston acknowledged the South Korean government’s desire to boost morale and drum up public support for the military, he argued that there are safer ways to achieve those goals, like demonstrations at air bases and other events.

“I don’t see the need to fly helicopters around Gwanghwamun,” he stressed.

The weapons specialist Joost Oliemans was more on the fence. 

“Not sure I’ve ever seen a drill in such an urbanized area, with such low flight,” he said. 

However, he also noted that the risk should be low, given the impressive flight maneuvers military helicopter pilots can perform during wartime.

Other experts said they did not think the low-flying helicopters posed a serious risk.

Scottie Bateman MBE, a professional aviator, didn’t see anything that screamed “unsafe” when he watched a video of the training.

“Twin-engined helicopters. Good distance between them. Slow and controlled,” he told Korea Pro after viewing the video. “From a pure safety point of view…nothing stands out as being worrisome here, especially if they have given a warning.”

Chopper pilot Capt AM, who observed the video on social media, agreed: “Those aircraft should happily fly in that situation if an engine failed & they’ll have clearance to fly route & heights for the training exercise so all looks well in chopper world.”

Chun In-bum, a former three-star ROK army general, said the training flight provided “a rare opportunity for Seoulites to see them in the center of Seoul like this.”

An alternative angle showing ROK military helicopters flying over Gwanghwamun Square on Aug. 14, 2024 | Image: Korea Pro

A RISK WORTH TAKING?

Wednesday’s flyover was tied to South Korea’s upcoming military parade, set to take place on Oct. 1 to mark the 76th anniversary of the founding of the country’s armed forces. 

Before Yoon came into office, his progressive predecessor, Moon Jae-in, did not hold any military parades as he attempted to improve ties with North Korea. Prior to Moon, South Korea held a military parade in 2013 during the conservative Park Geun-hye administration.

With President Yoon Suk-yeol at the helm, the military parades are back in action. But last year’s parade, the first since 2013, hit a bit of a snag: The aviation component over central Seoul was canceled due to inclement weather despite days of low-flight jet training over the city. 

While this kind of military spectacle has taken place in North Korea for years, South Korea’s decision to bring back its military parades and pageantry raises the question of whether it’s a necessary show of strength or a risky move that could put lives in danger.

What’s certain is that as the countdown to South Korea’s military parade continues, Seoulites will keep looking skyward whenever such military aircraft fly by, appreciating the spectacle while hoping the spectacular show doesn’t end in tragedy.

Edited by John Lee