Air Force Training Gone Wrong: South Korean Jet Accidently Bombs its Own Citizens
In a shocking turn of events, a South Korean Air Force KF-16 fighter jet accidentally dropped eight MK-82 general-purpose bombs on a civilian area during a joint live-fire training exercise on Thursday. The incident, which occurred in Pocheon, approximately 25 kilometers south of the heavily fortified border with North Korea, left several civilians injured and caused significant property damage.
The bombs were “abnormally released” from the aircraft, landing outside the designated firing range and striking a village. According to the Air Force, the unintended release resulted in civilian casualties, with four people seriously injured and three sustaining minor injuries. The National Fire Agency reported that the explosion caused chaos, displacing residents and damaging buildings, including a church and two houses.
“We deeply regret the unintended release of the bombs, which resulted in civilian casualties, and wish those injured a swift recovery,” the Air Force said in a statement. The military has established an accident response committee to investigate the incident and pledged to “take all necessary measures, including compensation for damages.”
Residents Describe Chaos and Fear
Local residents described the moment of the explosion as terrifying. Park, a resident who witnessed the incident, told Yonhap News Agency, “I suddenly heard an enormous explosion, like a thunderclap, and the whole house shook. When I went outside, everything was in chaos.”
Even a senior center located about a kilometer away felt the impact. “A sudden explosion shook the building. The windows shattered, and one of our teachers was injured and taken to the hospital,” said the center’s director, surnamed Yu. Although none of the seniors were hurt, they were so frightened that they were sent home immediately.
Watch video of the bombing in civilian area:
NEW: South Korea says military jet accidentally drop bombs on homes, injuring civilians during live-drill
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Joint Military Exercises Under Scrutiny
The incident occurred during a joint live-fire exercise involving South Korean and U.S. forces, part of the ongoing “Freedom Shield” military drills, one of the largest annual exercises between the two allies. These exercises are designed to enhance readiness against potential threats from North Korea, with whom South Korea remains technically at war since the 1950-1953 conflict ended in an armistice.
This is not the first time a military mishap has occurred in South Korea. In 2022, a Hyunmu-2 ballistic missile crashed into a military golf course during a response to a North Korean missile launch, though no injuries were reported in that incident.
Calls for Accountability and Safety Measures
The accidental bombing has raised concerns about the safety protocols during military exercises, especially in areas close to civilian populations. The Air Force has vowed to investigate the cause of the malfunction and implement measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
As the affected community begins to recover, questions remain about how such a critical error could occur and what steps will be taken to ensure the safety of civilians living near military training zones. For now, the focus remains on supporting the injured and repairing the damage caused by this tragic mistake.
