SEOUL (Reuters) – Two Air Force pilots in South Korea are facing charges of criminal negligence following an accidental bombing of a village during a training exercise. The incident, which occurred last week, resulted in injuries to at least 29 people and extensive property damage. The Defence ministry’s Criminal Investigation Command stated that errors made by the pilots in entering coordinates into the aircraft systems were key factors in the accidental bombing. The pilots have been charged with criminal negligence causing bodily harm, and the investigation is ongoing.
During live-fire exercises, eight unguided air-to-surface bombs were mistakenly launched from two fighter jets and landed in a village near the border with North Korea in Pocheon. This area is utilized for training by both South Korean and U.S. military forces. Residents have raised concerns about safety risks and disturbances due to the military presence in the region.
The pilots have been relieved of flight duties, and a review of their flight mission certification is planned. The Air Force chief of staff has issued an apology for the incident and promised to reassess mission procedures to prevent similar accidents. North Korea has seized on the incident to criticize military drills by South Korea and the U.S., warning of the potential for armed conflict.
