South Korean fighter jets mistakenly dropped eight bombs on a civilian district during military exercises in Pocheon on Thursday, injuring 15 people and causing damage to houses and a church, according to the Air Force and fire agency.
Injuries and Damage Reported
The fire agency confirmed that 15 individuals sustained injuries, with two people in serious condition. Pocheon, located about 40 kilometers (25 miles) northeast of Seoul, is near the heavily militarized border with North Korea.
“There was a sudden loud roar of a fighter jet, then an explosion rang out… When I went to the scene, there were about four houses that were halved from the damage, people hurt,” said Oh Moung-su, a 65-year-old resident.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing smoke rising into the sky, water gushing from broken pipes, and injured individuals struggling to escape from damaged vehicles.
Air Force Response and Investigation
South Korea’s Air Force stated that two KF-16 jets had dropped eight 500-pound (225kg) Mk82 bombs outside the designated shooting range. The accident was attributed to a pilot entering incorrect coordinates.
“We are sorry for the damage caused by the abnormal drop accident, and we wish the injured a speedy recovery,” the Air Force said in a statement.
A military official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that all eight bombs detonated upon impact. As a result, authorities have suspended live-fire exercises until a full investigation determines what went wrong. However, the incident will not affect the major joint South Korean and U.S. military exercises scheduled to begin on Monday.
Community Reaction and Protest
Residents in the area have long protested against the disturbances and risks associated with nearby military training grounds. Photographs from the scene depicted a house severely damaged by the explosion, shattered windows, and a church strewn with debris.
Security camera footage aired on local television captured a pickup truck driving on a tree-lined street just before a massive explosion engulfed the area.
“The unthinkable has happened,” said Pocheon city mayor Baeck Young-hyeun, who urged the government and military to implement measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Upcoming Military Drills
The incident occurred just days before the annual Freedom Shield joint military drills between South Korea and the United States, set to take place from March 10 to 20. The exercises aim to strengthen defense readiness against potential threats, including North Korea.
“Our planners look across the globe and identify the trends that are changing, and we look at how we can incorporate that into our exercises,” said Ryan Donald, a spokesperson for the United States Forces Korea (USFK).
Approximately 70 field training sessions are planned for this year’s drills, incorporating lessons from recent armed conflicts and concerns about North Korea’s growing ties with Russia.
