South Korea celebrated the rollout of its first Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter as the North Korean threat looms in the background.

Heightened tensions continue on the Korean peninsula after the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un made a surprise visit to Beijing ahead of a potential summit with the United States.

While the F-35 will not be operational with the Republic of Korea Air Force for some time to come, the addition of the new stealth fighter will help to enhance South Korea’s security against a hostile North.

"Today is a truly meaningful day as we celebrate the roll-out of ROKAF's first F-35A, the world's best fighter jet, which will secure the sovereign airspace of the Republic of Korea," Song Young-moo, the Republic of Korea's Minister of Defense, said in a previously recorded message. "The deployment of the F-35 will serve as momentum to enhance the combined operations of the ROK-U.S. Air Forces, and advance ROKAF's support capabilities for ground operations."

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Aside from its stealth and sensors, one the F-35’s major selling points is its interoperability with U.S. forces. If tensions on the Korean peninsula spillover into open warfare, South Korea and the United States will have to work hand in glove to defeat Pyongyang.

"This is a major step forward for our F-35 enterprise and our ROKAF partners as we deliver Korea's first F-35, the first of six F-35 aircraft that will be delivered this year," Vice Adm. Mat Winter, F-35 program executive officer, said. "The F-35A is a game-changing capability that will enable the South Korean Forces to operate side-by-side with our U.S. forces in protecting your nation's homeland. I extend my personal congratulations to the combined government and industry team in achieving this milestone."

Lockheed Martin is understandably proud of delivering jets to another customer after the F-35’s long and troubled developmental period.  

"We are proud to support the Republic of Korea with the unrivalled fifth generation F-35," Marillyn Hewson, Lockheed Martin chairman, president and chief executive officer, said. "We know that it will be a symbol of strength reminding us all that when we partner together, our nations are safer, our people are more secure, and our future is brighter."

According to Lockheed Martin, the rollout ceremony was attended by more than 450 guests, including five members of the Republic of Korea National Assembly Defense Committee, as well as Suh, Choo-suk, vice minister of National Defense; and Lt. Gen. Lee, Seong-yong, vice chief of staff of the ROKAF.

Initially, South Korea’s first F-35s will be delivered to Luke Air Force Base in Arizona to train ROKAF personnel to operate and maintain the new jet. Operational F-35s will arrive in South Korea in 2019 where the aircraft will be based at Cheongju. South Korea is expected to buy 40 F-35A aircraft acquired through the U.S. government's Foreign Military Sales program. However, there is a good chance that South Korea will buy additional F-35s when time comes to recapitalize Seoul’s large F-16 Fighting Falcon fleet.

Dave Majumdar is the defense editor for The National Interest. You can follow him on Twitter: @davemajumdar.