South Korea Suspends Air Force Training and Live-Fire Drills After Fighter Jets Accidentally Bomb Civilian Area, Injuring 29

South Korea has temporarily halted the training flights of its air force aircraft and all live-fire drills following an incident where fighter jets accidentally bombed a civilian area. Officials announced this decision on Friday, highlighting the potential impact on the upcoming annual military exercises with the United States. The mishap, which resulted in injuries to nearly 30 individuals, occurred during a live-fire drill conducted as part of the broader Freedom Shield command post exercise, which is scheduled to commence on Monday.

The National Defense Ministry reported that the number of injured individuals has risen to 29, up from an initial count of 15. Among the injured, seven civilians and two soldiers remain hospitalized, with two civilians classified as seriously injured. The remaining 20 individuals have received medical treatment and have been discharged. The incident took place in Pocheon, a city located in the northeastern part of South Korea, near the heavily fortified border with North Korea.

The accident involved two South Korean KF-16 fighter jets, which mistakenly released a total of eight MK-82 bombs on a civilian area in Pocheon. This city, home to approximately 140,000 residents, is situated near the tense border with North Korea. The incident has raised concerns about the safety protocols in place during military exercises, particularly in regions close to civilian populations.

The Freedom Shield exercise represents the first major joint training operation between South Korea and the United States since the return of President Trump. The suspension of air force training flights and live-fire drills is seen as a precautionary measure to prevent further incidents and ensure the safety of civilians. The South Korean government is likely to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident to determine the cause and prevent similar occurrences in the future.