Firefighters and police officers patrol a restricted area in Pocheon, South Korea, after MK-82 bombs mistakenly landed outside the designated firing range during a military drill on March 6, 2025. REUTERS
A training exercise went terribly wrong in South Korea when two fighter jets accidentally dropped bombs on a civilian area. The incident happened on Thursday morning in Pocheon, a city northeast of Seoul. South Korea’s military confirmed that eight MK-82 bombs fell outside the planned target area, hitting homes and other buildings.
According to officials, the accident was caused by a pilot entering the wrong coordinates. The bombs exploded in a rural part of the city, sending thick smoke into the sky. Authorities reported that 29 people were injured, including 14 soldiers. Among the 15 injured civilians, two suffered serious wounds.
The explosions caused major destruction, flattening two houses, damaging a church, and wrecking a truck. Pocheon’s mayor, Baek Young-hyun, described the scene as looking like a battlefield. Emergency responders quickly arrived, with firefighters and police securing the area.
The jets were participating in a live-fire exercise as part of joint military drills between South Korea and the United States. These annual "Freedom Shield" drills aim to strengthen defense cooperation between the two nations. However, South Korea’s military has now halted all live-fire training until the investigation into the incident is completed.
An accident response team has been set up to determine exactly what went wrong. The South Korean Air Force has promised compensation for the damages and expressed regret for the incident. “We deeply apologize for the harm caused to civilians and wish the injured a speedy recovery,” a military spokesperson said.
Investigators are also considering the possibility that a technical failure may have contributed to the mishap. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the United States Forces Korea clarified that no U.S. aircraft were involved in the exercise. Other scheduled military activities will continue, but live-fire drills remain on hold.
These annual drills have long been a source of tension with North Korea. Pyongyang has repeatedly condemned them, calling them a threat to its security. After news of the accident, North Korean officials criticized the exercises, warning that South Korea and the U.S. would “pay a severe price.”
In the past, North Korea has responded to joint drills with missile tests and aggressive statements. Just last year, it launched a ballistic missile when U.S. bombers took part in training with South Korean forces.
For now, authorities in South Korea are focused on supporting those affected by the tragic mistake and ensuring such an accident doesn’t happen again.
