At least 15 people were injured in South Korea after a fighter jet accidentally dropped eight bombs on a civilian area during training for the upcoming U.S.-South Korea joint military exercise, Freedom Shield. The incident occurred in Pocheon, a city near the border with North Korea, where the bombs landed outside the designated firing range. Two civilians were seriously injured, along with two soldiers and two foreign nationals. Eight buildings were damaged, including a chapel and residences with shattered windows. The air force is investigating the cause of the accident and the extent of the damage. The mayor called for all military training to be suspended in response to the incident.
The accident raised concerns about safety protocols during military training near civilian areas. The governing party urged a swift and transparent investigation, as well as immediate support and compensation for affected residents. Experts highlighted the need to analyze the cause of the accident and establish preventive measures to ensure such incidents do not occur in the future. The Freedom Shield exercise aims to strengthen the alliance’s defense posture against threats from North Korea, which has been deepening its partnership with Russia.
The South Korean military, along with U.S. Forces Korea, are conducting live-fire drills in Pocheon, with about 28,000 American service members stationed in South Korea. The accident has underscored the importance of prioritizing safety management during military training to prevent similar incidents.
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