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South Korea: Shells hit civilian area during military drill

Mahima Kapoor With Reuters, AP and AFP
March 6, 2025

Air force officials said eight bombs were accidentally dropped from fighter jets during a live-fire military exercise. Media reported the shells landed in the civilian region of Pocheon.

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South Korean army soldiers and police officers stand guard near a bomb accident site in Pocheon
Locals in Pocheon have long complained about the dangers of conducting drills near themImage: Lim Byung-shick/Yonhap via AP/picture alliance

At least 15 people were injured in South Korea when military planes dropped bombs in a civilian district during a live-fire military drill, the country's Air Force said.

Two Air Force KF-16 planes accidentally released eight MK-82 general-purpose bombs, which landed "outside the designated firing range", the Air Force said.

"We deeply regret the unintended release of the bombs, which resulted in civilian casualties, and wish those injured a swift recovery," it added.

Civilians among the people injured

Emergency services said at least 15 people were wounded, including two who were seriously hurt.

The Air Force said it has established an accident response committee to investigate the matter and vowed to take "all necessary measures, including compensation for damages."

S. Korean bombs hit near N. Korea border in military drill

"We are sorry for the damage caused by the abnormal drop accident, and we wish the injured a speedy recovery," it added.

Meanwhile, South Korea's military said the accidental bombing took place due to a case of "pilot error" and "mistaken coordinates." The military, which was also involved in the joint exercise, said the live-fire drills would be halted pending further investigation, Yonhap reported.

The bombs fell around 10:00 a.m. local time (0100 GMT) in the Pocheon region of South Korea, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) northeast of Seoul, local media reported. It is close to the heavily militarized border with North Korea.

What did the village residents say?

The village where the bombs fell is close to the Seungjin Training Ground, local media reported. For years now, local residents have protested against the disturbances and potential dangers of military drills.

Park, a resident of the area, told Yonhap that he was at home watching television when the incident occurred.

Military ambulance arrives near the scene of accidentally dropped eight bombs on a civilian area in Pocheon
At least seven people were taken to the hospitalImage: Lim Byung-shick/Yonhap via AP/picture alliance

"I suddenly heard an enormous explosion, like a thunderclap, and the whole house shook. When I went outside, everything was in chaos," he said.

A senior center close by was also affected.

"A sudden explosion shook the building. The windows shattered, and one of our teachers was injured and taken to the hospital," the center's director told Yonhap, adding that the seniors were frightened but fortunately not hurt.

Edited by: Rana Taha