The incident happened around 10:00 am (0100 GMT) in Pocheon, approximately 25 kilometers (16 miles) south of the heavily fortified border with North Korea.
According to the South Korean Air Force, “Eight MK-82 general-purpose bombs were abnormally released from an Air Force KF-16 aircraft, landing outside the designated firing range”. The Air Force expressed deep regret for the unintended release of the bombs, which resulted in civilian casualties, and wished those injured a swift recovery.
The incident occurred during a joint live-fire exercise involving both the Air Force and Army, with the United States also participating in the drills. South Korea’s National Fire Agency reported that four people were seriously injured and three suffered minor injuries, with one church building and sections of two houses damaged.
Eyewitness Accounts
A local resident, who gave only his surname Park, described the incident as “like a thunderclap”. “I suddenly heard an enormous explosion, and the whole house shook. When I went outside, everything was in chaos,” Park said.
The director of a nearby senior center, surnamed Yu, reported that the explosion shook the building, shattered windows, and injured one of their teachers. “Fortunately, none of the seniors were hurt, but they were so frightened that we sent them all home,” Yu added.
Investigation and Response
The South Korean Air Force has established an accident response committee to investigate the incident and will take all necessary measures, including compensation for damages. The incident raises concerns about the safety of military training exercises and the potential risks to civilians.
In a separate development, US President Donald Trump warned Gaza that “a beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do, you are DEAD!”.² This statement came amid ongoing tensions in the region and highlights the complex geopolitical landscape.