US-South Korea drills coincide with bombing of civilian village
According to the National Fire Agency, a minimum of 15 individuals sustained injuries in the incident, with two in serious condition.
TroibNews 
At least 15 people were injured in the incident, including two seriously, the National Fire Agency has said.
A South Korean fighter jet unintentionally released eight bombs on a village during joint live-fire drills with the US military, resulting in civilian injuries and property damage, according to the country's air force.
The event occurred on Thursday morning, with South Korea’s National Fire Agency reporting that a minimum of 15 individuals were wounded. Out of these, ten required hospitalization, including two in serious condition. The agency noted that among the injured were two soldiers and two foreign nationals.
The bombardment damaged a church and at least seven other buildings within the settlement, as indicated by fire authorities.
The South Korean Air Force confirmed the incident, stating that “eight MK-82 general-purpose bombs were abnormally released from an Air Force KF-16 aircraft, landing outside the designated firing range.” The MK-82 is a US-made munition, while the KF-16 is a South Korean version of the American F-16 fighter jet, produced in the country from the mid-1990s until the mid-2000s.
According to the Korea Herald, the accidental release occurred during joint exercises involving multiple fighter jets from South Korean and US forces.
The village impacted is near the city of Pocheon in northeastern Gyeonggi Province, approximately 50 kilometers northeast of Seoul and about 25 kilometers south of the North Korean border.
“We deeply regret the unintended release of the bombs, which resulted in civilian casualties, and wish those injured a swift recovery,” the air force stated.
An investigation has been initiated, led by Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff Park Ki-wan, to determine the reasons behind the incident.
Pilot error is believed to be the likely cause of the mishap, as reported by the Yonhap news agency, citing military sources.
A local resident recounted to Yonhap how he experienced the chaos: “I suddenly heard an enormous explosion, like a thunderclap, and the whole house shook. When I went outside, everything was in chaos.”
In late 2024, three civilians were hurt when an explosion struck a South Korean military logistics center in Gimhae during inspections of facilities storing hazardous materials.
Additionally, a failed launch of a Hyunmoo-2 short-range ballistic missile in October of the previous year resulted in an explosion and significant fire at a military base in Gangneung on the eastern coast, but no injuries were reported in that incident.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
A South Korean fighter jet unintentionally released eight bombs on a village during joint live-fire drills with the US military, resulting in civilian injuries and property damage, according to the country's air force.
The event occurred on Thursday morning, with South Korea’s National Fire Agency reporting that a minimum of 15 individuals were wounded. Out of these, ten required hospitalization, including two in serious condition. The agency noted that among the injured were two soldiers and two foreign nationals.
The bombardment damaged a church and at least seven other buildings within the settlement, as indicated by fire authorities.
The South Korean Air Force confirmed the incident, stating that “eight MK-82 general-purpose bombs were abnormally released from an Air Force KF-16 aircraft, landing outside the designated firing range.” The MK-82 is a US-made munition, while the KF-16 is a South Korean version of the American F-16 fighter jet, produced in the country from the mid-1990s until the mid-2000s.
According to the Korea Herald, the accidental release occurred during joint exercises involving multiple fighter jets from South Korean and US forces.
The village impacted is near the city of Pocheon in northeastern Gyeonggi Province, approximately 50 kilometers northeast of Seoul and about 25 kilometers south of the North Korean border.
“We deeply regret the unintended release of the bombs, which resulted in civilian casualties, and wish those injured a swift recovery,” the air force stated.
An investigation has been initiated, led by Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff Park Ki-wan, to determine the reasons behind the incident.
Pilot error is believed to be the likely cause of the mishap, as reported by the Yonhap news agency, citing military sources.
A local resident recounted to Yonhap how he experienced the chaos: “I suddenly heard an enormous explosion, like a thunderclap, and the whole house shook. When I went outside, everything was in chaos.”
In late 2024, three civilians were hurt when an explosion struck a South Korean military logistics center in Gimhae during inspections of facilities storing hazardous materials.
Additionally, a failed launch of a Hyunmoo-2 short-range ballistic missile in October of the previous year resulted in an explosion and significant fire at a military base in Gangneung on the eastern coast, but no injuries were reported in that incident.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
