In a shocking accident, two South Korean fighter jets mistakenly dropped bombs on a civilian area during a joint live-fire exercise with the U.S. military, leaving eight people injured. The incident occurred on Thursday when KF-16 fighter jets accidentally released eight MK-82 bombs outside a designated firing range. South Korea’s air force swiftly issued an apology, expressing hopes for the recovery of the injured, pledging compensation, and vowing to take necessary corrective measures.
The mishap took place during a one-day firing drill in Pocheon, a city near the heavily fortified border with North Korea. The South Korean Air Force announced that a special committee would conduct a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident and assess the extent of the damage.
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Investigation Points to Human Error
An anonymous Air Force official revealed that one of the KF-16 pilots had mistakenly entered the wrong coordinates for the bombing target. A separate unidentified official from the Defense Ministry stated that further examination was required to understand why the second KF-16 also mistakenly dropped bombs on a civilian area.
Reacting to the incident, Pocheon Mayor Paek Young Hyeun described the accidental bombings as “awful” and called on the military to suspend all drills in the city until measures are in place to prevent similar mishaps. He emphasized that Pocheon, a city with a population of 140,000, hosts three major firing ranges used by both South Korean and U.S. forces.
Eyewitness Describes Chaos and Fear
The unexpected explosion left residents in a state of shock. Park Seong-sook, a 70-year-old eyewitness who was near the site but remained unharmed, recalled her terrifying experience.
“It was such a loud sound,” she said, adding that she thought “a war has broken out.” The powerful blast left her trembling with fear.
In response to the accident, the military announced on Thursday that all live-fire drills across South Korea would be temporarily suspended.
Military Drills Suspended as Investigation Continues
The timing of the incident is particularly significant, as it occurred just days before the South Korean and U.S. militaries were scheduled to commence large-scale annual military exercises. While officials have not specified how long the suspension of live-fire training will last, experts suggest it will likely remain in place until the military identifies the exact cause of the accident and implements preventative measures.
Pocheon’s disaster response department confirmed that six civilians and two soldiers sustained injuries and were receiving medical treatment. Among the injured, four civilians were in serious condition, including two foreign nationals—one from Thailand and another from Myanmar.
The blasts also caused structural damage to several buildings, including three houses, a Catholic church, and a greenhouse. However, the department clarified that these structures did not suffer direct bomb strikes.
Military Under Pressure to Prevent Future Accidents
The accidental bombing has placed significant pressure on the South Korean military to enhance safety measures during live-fire exercises. With tensions already high in the region due to ongoing military drills, the incident raises concerns over the risks associated with such operations. As the investigation unfolds, residents and officials alike are demanding reassurances that similar mistakes will not occur in the future.
