SEOUL, South Korea— A South Korean military drill took a disastrous turn on Thursday when two fighter jets mistakenly dropped eight bombs on a civilian neighborhood in Pocheon, a city near the North Korean border.
The accident injured 15 people, two of them seriously, and left homes and a church damaged.
The incident occurred during a routine live-fire exercise meant to ensure combat readiness against potential threats from North Korea.
According to Yonhap News, the Air Force confirmed that one of the KF-16 fighter jets mistakenly inputted the wrong coordinates, sending its payload into a residential area instead of the designated training zone.
The reason why the second jet also released its bombs remains under investigation.
‘The whole neighbourhood suffered damage’ – Around 15 injured in South Korea after F-16 jets accidentally bomb homes during drills. Residents reported being startled by a sudden loud explosion and witnessed black smoke when they looked outside. The South Korean Air Force…
Shrapnel from the explosion hit a 60-year-old driver, lodging into their neck, while another victim suffered fractures to the neck and shoulder.
The accidental airstrike shattered windows, collapsed portions of roofs, and left residents in shock.
A nearby senior citizen care center reported broken windows and injuries to a staff member. “While no seniors were hurt, they were so frightened that we sent them all home,” the director said.
Initial fears that unexploded bombs remained in the area prompted authorities to evacuate residents and deploy a bomb disposal unit.
However, officials later confirmed that all bombs had detonated on impact.
🚨 Fifteen injured as South Korean fighter jets mistakenly bomb village. ➔ The mishap occurred today, ahead of US-South Korea joint military exercises. ➔ Officials are investigating to prevent future incidents during these critical drills. #SouthKorea #US #MilitaryDrills…
Military Apology and Suspension of Drills
South Korea’s Air Force swiftly issued a public apology, pledging full compensation for those affected. “Our KF-16s abnormally dropped eight shells of MK-82 bombs. They landed outside of the firing range,” the military said in a statement.
In response, all live-fire exercises have been suspended until further notice.
The defense ministry also confirmed that the exercise was linked to upcoming joint drills with U.S. forces, scheduled from March 10 to March 20.
This isn’t the first time a military drill has gone wrong in South Korea.
🚨 South Korea’s Air Force reports an accidental bomb drop during a training exercise, injuring civilians. Eight bombs were misdropped in the wrong location. Safety protocols are under review. Our thoughts are with those affected. 🕊️ #SouthKorea #Military #SafetyFirst #News
In 2022, a joint exercise with the U.S. resulted in a ballistic missile malfunctioning and crashing on a golf course inside a military base.
While the warhead didn’t explode, it ignited a massive fire, sending panic through the community.
With tensions already heightened in the region due to North Korea’s growing alliance with Russia, this accident raises fresh concerns about military preparedness and safety protocols.
Investigators are now working to determine what went wrong—and how to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
