On the 6th in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, an accident occurred where two individuals were severely injured and 13 sustained minor injuries due to an accidental bombing by military fighter jets. Among the 15 injured, 10 have been transported to the hospital for treatment.
According to the police and fire department, the accident occurred around 10:05 a.m. in Nogok-ri, I dong-myeon, Pocheon City. Multiple reports were received stating that "a bomb fell in the village." The fire authorities initially reported that seven people had sustained serious injuries by that morning, but as residents expressed psychological distress and requested transport or treatment, the officially reported number of injured individuals rose to 15 in the afternoon.
Two residents who were severely injured were urgently transported to the Capital Defense Hospital and Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital, respectively. Among the 13 people with minor injuries were two soldiers and two foreigners who were in the village. It has been reported that there are no individuals who have suffered cardiac arrest or loss of consciousness among the injured. Additionally, it has been reported that five dwellings, one church, one greenhouse, and one cargo vehicle were damaged. About 50 local residents are currently evacuated to the community center that is away from the impact area.
Immediately after the incident, the police and fire department stated that "it is presumed that an accident occurred due to accidental bombing from a fighter jet during military training." They also noted, "It is presumed that a bomb fell in the village during the joint U.S.-South Korea training."
In response, the Air Force stated that "eight bombs were accidentally dropped from the KF-16 fighter jet," adding, "The bombs fell in areas near Seungjin Catholic Church, the army base training ground, roads, and farmland, and there were no unexploded ordnance."
On that day, the Air Force deployed combat aircraft including F-35A, F-15K, KF-16, and FA-50 to the U.S.-South Korea joint integrated fire drill with the army and the U.S. Forces Korea. Among these, it was reported that eight MK-82 bombs were accidentally dropped from the KF-16 and fell outside the firing range. The casualty radius of one MK-82 bomb is about the size of one soccer field. The Air Force stated, "We will actively implement all necessary measures, including compensation for damages."
The Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that "an accident occurred during the U.S.-South Korea joint training at the Seungjin training area in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province," and stated that "the accident area is located 6 kilometers away from the training ground and there have been no reports of military damage outside civilian damage."