A live-fire training exercise involving South Korean fighter jets and US forces turned disastrous on Thursday when two KF-16 fighter jets accidentally dropped bombs on civilian homes in Pocheon, a city northeast of Seoul. The bombs, eight MK-82 general-purpose bombs, were released “abnormally” and landed outside the designated range at approximately 10:07 a.m. local time, causing extensive damage and injuries.
The South Korean Air Force later attributed the mishap to a pilot entering incorrect bombing coordinates, leading to the bombs hitting civilian infrastructure. The explosions destroyed residential buildings, part of a church, and a truck, injuring at least 29 people, including 14 soldiers. Among the 15 civilians injured, two were reported to be in serious condition.
Pocheon Mayor Baek Young-hyun described the aftermath as chaotic, likening the scene to a battlefield. “The scene of the incident is chaotic, resembling a battlefield,” he said in a televised statement. Local media captured images of thick smoke rising from the rural area following the blasts.
The training exercise was part of the annual “Freedom Shield” military drills between South Korea and the United States, which are often viewed as provocative by North Korea. While no US Air Force aircraft were involved, the US Forces Korea (USFK) confirmed it was coordinating with South Korean authorities to investigate the incident.
As a result of the bombing, South Korea’s military has suspended all live-fire training, pending a full investigation. An accident response team has been established, and the Air Force has pledged to compensate for the damage caused. “We apologize for the abnormal bomb release and wish the injured a swift recovery,” the Air Force said in a statement.
This incident has raised concerns about the risks of live-fire exercises and comes amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, with North Korea condemning the joint drills as a threat to its sovereignty and security.
The Freedom Shield drills, which run from March 10 to March 20, aim to strengthen the US-South Korean defense posture but have sparked criticism from Pyongyang, which often responds with military provocations of its own. In 2023, North Korea fired a ballistic missile in response to similar joint exercises involving US strategic bombers.
