South Korea’s air force has issued an apology after a fighter jet mistakenly dropped eight bombs in the wrong location during a training exercise on Thursday, injuring 15 civilians and causing damage to multiple buildings.
The air force confirmed that a KF-16 aircraft accidentally released eight MK-82 general-purpose bombs, each weighing approximately 225kg, outside the designated firing range. “We deeply regret this unintended release, which resulted in civilian casualties, and we wish those injured a swift recovery,” the statement read.
The incident took place around 10am local time (0100 GMT) in Nogok-ri, a village within the city of Pocheon, located 25km (16 miles) from the heavily fortified border with North Korea.
As military authorities launched an investigation, South Korean media reported that the error was likely caused by the pilot entering incorrect coordinates. The accident happened during preliminary live-fire exercises involving the air force and army, ahead of the joint South Korea-US military drills, *Freedom Shield*, scheduled from March 10 to 20. These exercises are designed to prepare for potential conflicts with North Korea, which views them as a prelude to invasion. Following the incident, live-fire drills were suspended while officials worked to determine the cause.
Pocheon’s disaster response centre reported that six civilians, including two foreign nationals from Thailand and Myanmar, were hospitalized, while several others experienced anxiety-related symptoms. Some victims sustained fractures to their necks and shoulders, though none of the injuries were considered life-threatening.
Local residents have long expressed concerns over the disruptions and dangers posed by military exercises. One resident, identified only by his surname, Park, described the terrifying moment: “I suddenly heard an enormous explosion, like a thunderclap, and the whole house shook. When I stepped outside, everything was in chaos,” he told Yonhap news agency.
Cheon Man-ho, 68, who lives just 20 meters from one of the bomb impact sites, initially feared war had broken out. “The roof collapsed, windows shattered, and trees were destroyed,” he told *Chosun Ilbo*. “When I looked outside, there was black smoke rising, and everything was in ruins.”
Another resident, Lee Poong-seop, 65, who has operated a car business in the village for three decades, recounted the moment of impact. “I was cleaning the shop when I suddenly heard a massive ‘boom,’ and the entire building shook,” he told. “I’ve lived here my whole life but never heard anything like that before.”
The military quickly cordoned off the area to check for unexploded bombs, leading to an evacuation order. However, officials later confirmed that all eight bombs had detonated.
Photos from the scene showed shattered windows, debris scattered across buildings, and a damaged church. Reports indicated that five homes, a warehouse, a greenhouse, and a one-tonne truck were among the structures affected.
The air force has set up an accident response committee to investigate the incident and pledged to take all necessary measures, including compensating those affected.
South Korea’s national fire agency noted that the bombs were “presumed to have fallen on a village during a South Korea-US joint exercise,” leading to the displacement of multiple residents.
Even a senior citizen centre, located about 1km from the blast site, felt the impact. “A sudden explosion shook the building, shattering windows. One of our staff members was injured and taken to the hospital,” said the centre’s director, identified by the surname Yu. “Fortunately, none of the elderly residents were hurt, but they were so frightened that we sent them home.”
North and South Korea remain technically at war, as their 1950-1953 conflict ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty.
