South Korean Fighter Jets Accidentally Bomb Homes During Military Drill, Injuring 15 Civilians

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South Korean fighter jets mistakenly dropped bombs on civilian areas during a live-fire exercise with U.S. forces, injuring over a dozen people, the South Korean military confirmed on Thursday.

Bombing Mishap in Pocheon

At approximately 10:07 a.m. local time, eight MK-82 general-purpose bombs were "abnormally dropped" from two KF-16 fighter jets, landing outside the designated firing range in Pocheon, a city northeast of Seoul, according to the South Korean Air Force.

Initial investigations suggest that the accident was caused by a pilot inputting incorrect bombing coordinates. Images from local media showed thick smoke rising from the rural area where the bombs struck.

Casualties and Damage

Fifteen civilians were injured, including two who sustained serious wounds. The National Fire Agency confirmed that there were no reports of cardiac arrest or unconsciousness among the victims.

The explosions destroyed two residential buildings, part of a church, and a truck.

“The scene of the incident is chaotic, resembling a battlefield,” said Pocheon Mayor Baek Young-hyun in a televised statement.

Training Halted Amid Investigation

The incident occurred during a joint live-fire exercise involving the South Korean Army and U.S. military, as part of the annual "Freedom Shield" drills. In response, South Korea’s military announced an immediate suspension of all live-fire training until a thorough investigation is completed.

An accident response team has been formed, and the air force has pledged compensation for damages. The military expressed regret, stating that the unintended bomb release had caused civilian harm and extended wishes for a swift recovery for the injured.

Officials have not ruled out the possibility of equipment malfunction, an air force representative stated.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula

The Freedom Shield drills, scheduled from March 10 to March 20, are designed to enhance the combined defense posture of the U.S.-South Korean alliance. However, these annual exercises have historically provoked strong reactions from North Korea, which perceives them as a threat.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has frequently criticized the joint military drills, accusing the U.S. and South Korea of escalating tensions in the region. In 2023, North Korea conducted a ballistic missile test in response to similar exercises involving U.S. strategic bombers.

As the investigation into the accidental bombings unfolds, both South Korean and U.S. military officials are under pressure to ensure such incidents do not happen again.

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