South Korea’s Air Force reported on Thursday that a KF-16 fighter jet accidentally dropped eight MK-82 general-purpose bombs during a training exercise in Pocheon, approximately 25 kilometers south of the North Korean border. The bombs, released outside the designated firing range, resulted in civilian casualties and property damage.
The Air Force expressed deep regret over the incident, stating, “We deeply regret the unintended release of the bombs, which resulted in civilian casualties, and wish those injured a swift recovery.” An accident response committee has been established to investigate the mishap, and authorities promised to take all necessary measures, including compensation for damages.
The incident occurred around 10:00 am (0100 GMT) during a joint live-fire exercise involving both the Air Force and Army, as part of combined drills with the United States. South Korea’s National Fire Agency indicated that the bombs likely fell on a village, causing injuries to four people (with three more suffering minor injuries) and damaging a church building along with sections of two houses. Local residents reported a massive explosion, with one witness describing it as “like a thunderclap” that shook entire buildings.
The accident comes ahead of the large-scale South Korea-US “Freedom Shield” military exercises later this month, underscoring the ongoing risks associated with complex joint military drills near a volatile border region.
