South Korean military aircraft on Thursday accidentally dropped bombs outside the intended firing range, causing injuries to 15 people, including two soldiers and two foreigners.
The Air Force said that their KF-16 aircraft accidentally released eight MK-82 general-purpose bombs in Pocheon, situated 25 kilometres south of the border with North Korea, Yonhap News Agency reported.
“Eight MK-82 general-purpose bombs were abnormally released from an Air Force KF-16 aircraft, landing outside the designated firing range,” the Air Force said.
The accident took place at approximately 10:00 am (0100 GMT), damaging a church and seven other buildings. The Air Force expressed profound regret in a statement, acknowledging the civilian casualties and extending wishes for quick recovery of the injured persons.
The military established an investigation committee and committed to addressing all consequences, including compensation for the affected parties.
The incident occurred during a combined Air Force and Army live-fire training operation.
According to Yonhap news agency, the exercise was part of joint South Korea-US military drills in Pocheon.
The National Fire Agency confirmed that the bombs impacted a village during the bilateral exercise, resulting in seven injuries – four serious and three minor – along with displacement of residents.
The damage extended to one church structure and portions of two residential buildings.
The incident precedes the upcoming major “Freedom Shield” exercises between South Korea and the United States, scheduled for later this month.
The Korean peninsula remains in a technical state of war, as the 1950-1953 conflict concluded with an armistice rather than a peace treaty.
The US maintains a significant military presence in South Korea, partially to safeguard Seoul against potential threats from Pyongyang.
