Accidental bombing injures 29 in South Korea during military exercises

In South Korea, a tragic incident occurred during military exercises with the United States when two KF-16 fighter jets mistakenly dropped eight MK-82 bombs on a village in Pocheon. This unfortunate event took place on March 6, 2025, resulting in injuries to 29 individuals, including 15 civilians and 14 soldiers. Among the wounded, nine were hospitalized, with two suffering from serious injuries. The bombing also caused significant destruction, damaging homes and a church, and the explosion was felt nearly one kilometer away, leading to the evacuation of villagers to a nearby town hall. Initial investigations revealed that one of the pilots had entered incorrect coordinates for the bombing site. This alarming error led the South Korean military to suspend all live-fire exercises and air force training flights nationwide until the root cause of the incident could be identified. Despite this suspension, the planned Freedom Shield exercises with the United States would continue, and once the investigation is complete and necessary preventive measures are established, flight training will resume. In response to this catastrophic event, South Korea's interior and safety ministry allocated approximately 300 million won (around £160,790) in disaster safety grants to support Pocheon. These funds aim to provide temporary housing and psychological support for the affected residents, as many were left homeless due to the destruction caused by the bombing. Acting Minister of Interior and Safety Lee Sang Min assured that the government would do everything necessary to alleviate the hardships faced by residents and stabilize the community as quickly as possible. Furthermore, local residents and activists expressed their concerns by rallying near the defence ministry in Seoul, demanding an end to military drills that pose risks to their lives and overall peace in the region. Some villagers had been protesting the disturbances from nearby training grounds for several years, raising questions about the purpose of these military exercises. Lee Illwoo, an expert with the Korea Defence Network, pointed out that halting air training could significantly hinder the operational plans of the US and South Korean forces, suggesting that the ongoing drills were critical for assessing their military capabilities in light of potential threats, including North Korea’s growing military ties with Russia.