A South Korean fighter jet misfire has left 29 people injured, including civilians and soldiers. Two jets dropped eight bombs on a civilian town in Pocheon, 40km northeast of Seoul, during joint live-fire exercises. Nine of the wounded are currently in hospital, with two seriously hurt.
The incident occurred due to incorrect coordinates entered by a pilot, causing eight 500-pound bombs to fall outside the designated range. Authorities have suspended live-fire exercises until the cause is determined.
Activists and residents from Pocheon held a rally near the defense ministry in Seoul, demanding an end to military drills that threaten their lives and peace. They question who the drills are intended to provide security for and what they aim to achieve.
The incident has raised concerns about military safety and the potential risks posed by live-fire exercises. The government has assured that it will address the issue, but no further details have been released yet.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/casualties-south-korea-fighter-jet-misfire-raised-29-yonhap-says-2025-03-07