South Korea’s Air Force has issued a public apology after one of its fighter jets accidentally dropped eight bombs outside a designated firing range during a training exercise on Thursday. The mishap, which took place in the village of Nogok-ri, near the city of Pocheon, injured 15 civilians and caused significant damage to nearby buildings.
The bombs, each weighing approximately 225kg, were unintentionally released from a KF-16 fighter jet. The air force confirmed that the bombs landed outside the planned range and expressed deep regret for the incident. “We deeply regret the unintended release of the bombs, which resulted in civilian casualties, and wish those injured a swift recovery,” the air force said in a statement.
The incident occurred around 10 a.m. local time (0100 GMT) and is believed to have been caused by incorrect coordinates input by the pilot. Six civilians, including two from Thailand and Myanmar, were injured, with some suffering fractures to their necks and shoulders, though none of the injuries are thought to be life-threatening. Other residents experienced anxiety and distress due to the explosion.
This training was part of preliminary live-fire exercises for upcoming South Korea-US joint military drills, Freedom Shield, set to run from March 10 to 20. These drills are aimed at preparing the allies for potential conflicts with North Korea, which views such exercises as preparations for an invasion.
Local residents, who have long voiced concerns about the noise and safety risks posed by military exercises, described the chaos that followed the explosion. One man recalled hearing a massive explosion that shook his house, while another described the devastation, including collapsed roofs, shattered windows, and fallen trees.
The military immediately cordoned off the area to ensure no unexploded ordnance remained, later confirming that all eight bombs had detonated. Damage included five homes, a warehouse, a greenhouse, and even a truck. Photographs from the scene showed shattered windows and debris strewn across a nearby church.
The Air Force has set up an accident response committee to investigate the cause of the incident and ensure appropriate measures, including compensation for those affected. Local authorities also confirmed that the explosion had caused displacement among residents, particularly at a senior citizens’ center located about 1km from the blast site.
South Korea and North Korea technically remain at war, as their 1950-1953 conflict ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty.
