A tragic accident during a joint military drill between South Korea and the United States resulted in eight injuries after two KF-16 fighter jets mistakenly dropped eight MK-82 bombs on a civilian area in Pocheon, a city near the heavily armed border with North Korea.
The South Korean Air Force has issued an apology and promised compensation for the victims, while also launching an investigation into the incident. Among the injured are six civilians and two soldiers, with four civilians in serious condition, including two foreign nationals from Thailand and Myanmar.
Cause of the Mishap Under Investigation
According to an unidentified Air Force official, the misfire occurred due to incorrect bombing coordinates entered by one of the pilots. However, a Defense Ministry official noted that further investigation is needed to determine why the second KF-16 also dropped bombs on the same civilian area.
Pocheon Mayor Paek Young Hyeun condemned the incident as “awful” and urged the military to halt all drills in the city until effective safety measures are implemented.
Public Fear and Immediate Suspension of Live-Fire Drills
Residents were left shaken by the explosions, with one eyewitness, 70-year-old Park Seong-sook, saying she thought “a war had broken out” due to the deafening blasts.
In response to the public outcry, the South Korean military has suspended all live-fire drills across the country pending a thorough investigation into the cause of the mishap and the implementation of preventative measures.
Damage and Casualties
The bombs did not directly strike buildings, but three houses, a Catholic church, and a greenhouse sustained partial damage. The injured have been hospitalized, with authorities monitoring their recovery.
The incident comes just days before South Korea and the U.S. were set to begin large-scale annual military exercises, raising concerns over the potential disruption of scheduled drills.
The South Korean military now faces increasing pressure to ensure the safety of civilians as tensions remain high in the region, with North Korea closely monitoring military activities along the border.
