A South Korean Air Force training exercise took a dangerous turn Thursday when a fighter jet accidentally released eight bombs outside its designated target area, resulting in civilian injuries and property damage. Hobnob News reports on the unfortunate incident and its aftermath.
The Air Force confirmed that “eight MK-82 general-purpose bombs were abnormally released from an Air Force KF-16 aircraft, landing outside the designated firing range.” The incident occurred in Pocheon, near the heavily fortified border with North Korea, during a joint live-fire exercise involving the Air Force and Army.
“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 accident response committee has been established to investigate the incident, and the Air Force has pledged to “take all necessary measures, including compensation for damages.”
Reports indicate that the bombs fell on a village during a South Korea-US joint exercise, leading to “casualties and property damage, with many displaced residents.” Four people sustained serious injuries, and three suffered minor injuries. A church building and portions of two houses were also damaged.
Eyewitness accounts describe the terrifying scene. “I suddenly heard an enormous explosion, like a thunderclap, and the whole house shook. When I went outside, everything was in chaos,” recounted a local resident, Park.
Even a senior center located about a kilometer away felt the impact. “A sudden explosion shook the building. The windows shattered, and one of our teachers was injured and taken to the hospital,” said the center’s director, Yu.
The incident occurred as South Korea and the United States prepare for their “Freedom Shield” military exercises, one of their largest annual joint drills. The two Koreas remain technically at war, and the United States maintains a significant military presence in South Korea to deter potential aggression from the North.
This mishap follows a similar incident in 2022, when a South Korean ballistic missile accidentally crashed into a military golf course. Fortunately, no one was injured in that incident. Hobnob News will continue to monitor the investigation into this latest mishap.
