Synopsis
On March 6, 2023, a pilot's mistake led to an accidental bombing by South Korean fighter jets in Pocheon, injuring at least 15 individuals. The military has paused live-fire drills pending an investigation into the incident.Key Takeaways
- Pilot error resulted in an accidental bombing.
- 15 people were injured in the incident.
- Live-fire drills have been suspended.
- Investigation includes checking pilot procedures.
- Military vows compensation for damages.
Seoul, March 6 (NationPress) Pilot error is believed to have triggered an unintentional bombing of a civilian area in a border city on Thursday, resulting in at least 15 injuries in South Korea, according to military officials. Two KF-16 fighter jets unexpectedly released four MK-82 air-to-surface bombs each outside a training ground in Pocheon, located approximately 40 kilometers north of Seoul, at 10:04 a.m. during joint live-fire exercises with US forces.
An Air Force representative informed the media that a preliminary investigation revealed that one of the pilots of the single-seat jets mistakenly input the coordinates for the strike target before take-off, which led to the accidental bombing.
As a result of this evident error, the bombs were released over a village situated about 8 kilometers from the intended target at the training ground, causing serious injuries to two individuals and damaging eight buildings.
The official stated that authorities are examining whether the pilot adhered to the necessary protocols for verifying the entered coordinates.
The investigation will also assess potential shortcomings in air traffic control, as the fighter jets deviated from their planned flight path due to the incorrect target coordinates, according to the official.
A defense ministry representative noted that the military will halt all live-fire exercises until the exact cause of this incident is established.
The Air Force has issued an apology for the accidental bombing and pledged to take all necessary response measures, including compensation for the damages incurred.
This accidental bombing occurred while South Korean and US troops were engaged in live-fire drills, involving over 160 pieces of military equipment, including tanks and fighter jets, at the training site near the border with North Korea, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
The drills were intended to serve as a precursor to the allies' significant springtime Freedom Shield exercise, which is scheduled to commence on Monday for an 11-day duration.
A military official indicated that Freedom Shield will proceed as planned; however, discussions are underway regarding potential adjustments to on-field training.
