South Korean fighters accidentally dropped bombs in civilian areas during a live-action training exercise with the US on Thursday, causing multiple people to be injured and damaged multiple buildings, including three homes and a Catholic church.
The MK-82 bomb released by the KF-16 fighter jet fell out of range of fire, causing unspecified civilian damage, the Air Force said.
The passenger seat fires at the airport of Korea. All 176 people on board will be evacuated.
On Thursday, March 6, 2025, a South Korean Army Apache Guardian helicopter launches a rocket during joint military training between South Korea and the US in the Seungjin Fire Training field in Pocheon, South Korea. (yonhap via AP)
Reports of the number of injured people were varied, but South Korea’s Yonghap News Agency has now reached 15, including civilians and soldiers. The two injured were serious but not life-threatening, the outlet reported. At least seven buildings have been damaged.
The South Korean Air Force F-15K fighter jet will fly during joint military training between South Korea and the US in the Seungjin fire training field in Pocheon, South Korea on Thursday, March 6, 2025. (yonhap via AP)
The Air Force said the fighter planes are taking part in joint live action training with the Air Force’s Army. He apologised for the incident and pledged to establish a committee to investigate the cause of the accident and the extent of the damage.
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The South Korean Air Force F-35A fighter jet will fire flare shells during joint military training between South Korea and the US in the Seungjin Fire Training field in Pocheon, South Korea on Thursday, March 6, 2025. (yonhap via AP)
South Korean media reported that the accident occurred in Pocheon, a city near the critical border with North Korea. In a briefing explained on television, Pocheon Mayor Park Young Hyun called the bombing “bad” and urged the military to stop training in the city until they developed reliable measures that could prevent a recurrence. He said Pocheon, a city of 140,000 people, is offering three main ranges of fire for South Korean and US troops.
The military later said it had decided to suspend all live-action training across South Korea. Observers say the military will resume shooting movements after learning the exact cause of Thursday’s accident and mapping procedures to prevent a recurrence.
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According to the Pocheon department, three homes, the Catholic Church and the greenhouse were partially damaged, but did not appear to have been directly attacked by the bomb.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
