A South Korean Air Force fighter jet mistakenly released eight bombs in a residential area during a training exercise, leading to injuries and property damage. The incident occurred on Thursday morning in Pocheon, a city located about 25 kilometers south of the heavily guarded border with North Korea.
The Air Force stated that the accident happened when “eight MK-82 general-purpose bombs were abnormally released from an Air Force KF-16 aircraft, landing outside the designated firing range.” Authorities expressed deep regret over the mistake and extended their wishes for a quick recovery to those injured.
Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene, confirming that four people suffered serious injuries while three others sustained minor wounds. The National Fire Agency noted that the bombs fell on a village during a joint military exercise between South Korea and the United States, causing significant damage to homes and a church building.
A resident, identified by the surname Park, described the terrifying moment: “I suddenly heard an enormous explosion, like a thunderclap, and the whole house shook. When I went outside, everything was in chaos.”
A nearby senior center, located about a kilometer away, also felt the impact. The director of the facility, surnamed Yu, recounted, “A sudden explosion shook the building. The windows shattered, and one of our teachers was injured and taken to the hospital.”
In response to the accident, the Air Force has formed an investigation committee and assured that all necessary measures, including compensation for damages, will be taken. The military confirmed that the jet was participating in a joint live-fire exercise with the Army at the time of the mishap.
South Korea and the United States frequently conduct military drills to strengthen defense capabilities. The annual “Freedom Shield” exercises, one of the largest joint training operations, are set to begin later this month.
This is not the first military accident in South Korea. In 2022, a Hyunmu-2 missile crashed into a military golf course after being fired during a response drill to a North Korean missile launch.
