In a grave mishap during a joint military exercise with U.S. forces, South Korean fighter jets inadvertently dropped eight 500-pound bombs on a civilian district, injuring 15 people and damaging several homes.
The incident occurred around 10 a.m. on March 6, 2025, in Pocheon, a city approximately 20 miles north of Seoul and near the border with North Korea.
Two South Korean KF-16 fighter jets, participating in the annual “Freedom Shield” exercise, “abnormally released” the bombs due to a pilot’s error with coordinates, causing them to fall outside the designated live-firing area.
The bombs struck residential areas, injuring 15 civilians, including two foreigners. The affected residents sustained injuries ranging from minor to severe, with four in critical condition. Damage included three houses, a Catholic church, and a greenhouse.
In response, the South Korean Air Force issued a public apology, expressing deep regret over the incident.
A committee has been established to investigate the cause and assess the damage. All live-fire drills have been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
The South Korean government has pledged to compensate those affected and is working to ensure such incidents do not recur. The investigation is ongoing, with findings to be released to the public upon completion.