Two South Korean Air Force KF-16 fighter jets misfired eight MK-82 bombs on a civilian town in Pocheon during a ROK-U.S. joint military drill on Mar. 6, injuring 15 people. Authorities confirmed that none of the misfired bombs were duds.
Authorities said the bombs fell by a house near Nangyu Bridge in Pocheon, located 40 kilometers north of Seoul, at around 10:05 a.m.
By 2 p.m., authorities confirmed that 15 people, including 13 civilians and two soldiers, had been injured. All 15 people have been taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. The unprecedented accident damaged five houses, a warehouse, a military church, a greenhouse, and a cargo vehicle.
Military officials said two KF-16 fighter jets mistakenly dropped eight MK-82 bombs, which landed outside the designated firing range at 10:04 a.m. The Air Force called the misfiring an “abnormal release” and apologized for the accident. This was the first accidental bombing by South Korean fighter jets that resulted in civilian casualties.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff reported to the National Assembly’s Defense Committee that the accident occurred during a ROK-U.S. joint exercise at the Seungjin Training Field in Pocheon, roughly 6 kilometers from the training area.
