The South Korean Air Force has dismissed two officers following a tragic incident in which the military mistakenly bombed a civilian area, resulting in injuries to multiple civilians and significant property damage. The incident, which occurred on March 6, involved two South Korean fighter jets dropping eight 500-pound Mark 82 bombs in the village of Pocheon, located near the heavily militarized DMZ. The bombing occurred during a joint military drill between South Korea and the United States.
As a result of the bombing, 29 civilians were injured, with four reported to be in serious condition. The village saw extensive property damage, causing widespread concern among local residents. An initial investigation revealed that the error was caused by a combination of mistakes made during the operation. The first pilot entered incorrect coordinates and skipped a necessary verification step due to a printing error. Additionally, the pilot falsely claimed to have visually confirmed the target location. The second pilot, following the protocols for a simultaneous attack drill, proceeded with the bombing despite using the incorrect coordinates provided by the first pilot.
In response to the incident, the Air Force determined that the two officers—one a colonel and the other a lieutenant colonel—failed in their duties to maintain proper safety protocols and oversight. Their actions were deemed a “serious violation of duty,” attributed to a lack of supervision and management of the operation.
On March 10, Lee Young Su, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, publicly apologized for the incident, acknowledging the failure to protect civilian lives and property. He expressed regret over the harm caused to the community and assured the public that measures would be taken to prevent such incidents in the future. Lee also promised that the affected civilians would receive appropriate compensation and support.
The incident has raised concerns over the safety protocols in military drills, and the Air Force has vowed to review and strengthen its procedures to avoid a similar tragedy.
