The South Korean military has suspended live-fire drills following an incident in which two jets accidentally bombed a village near the North Korean border, injuring seven civilians and damaging several homes and a church.
Accidental Bombing by South Korean Jets Injures Seven in Border Village
Accidental Bombing by South Korean Jets Injures Seven in Border Village
South Korean fighter jets mistakenly bomb a village of Nogok during a military exercise, resulting in several injuries and property damage.
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In a troubling incident on Thursday, two South Korean fighter jets mistakenly bombed the village of Nogok, located near the North Korean border, injuring seven residents and damaging numerous buildings, including a church. This mishap occurred during joint military exercises with the United States, which were part of the annual Freedom Shield drills set to officially start on Monday.
According to military officials, the aircraft dropped four bombs each, but one pilot reportedly entered incorrect coordinates, leading to the unintended targeting of the village. Two individuals suffered serious injuries, but fortunately, no one was reported in critical condition. Local residents recounted the chaos, with one shop owner describing the explosion as “earthquake-like,” causing windows to shatter in her home and nearby houses.
Photos circulated by local media displayed significant destruction, with parts of a house torn from the walls and damage evident to the Catholic church in the area. The South Korean Air Force has expressed regret over the incident and assured compensation for the victims while suspending all live-fire exercises pending further investigation.
The ongoing Freedom Shield exercises, which the U.S. and South Korean forces emphasize are defensive, have drawn criticism from North Korea, which typically perceives them as provocative. Observers are watching closely as Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, hinted that the North may resume testing nuclear weapons in response to perceived threats from ongoing military drills.
Officials confirmed that the United States maintains approximately 28,500 troops in South Korea, underlining the military partnership between the two nations as they navigate an increasingly tense geopolitical climate in the region.
In a troubling incident on Thursday, two South Korean fighter jets mistakenly bombed the village of Nogok, located near the North Korean border, injuring seven residents and damaging numerous buildings, including a church. This mishap occurred during joint military exercises with the United States, which were part of the annual Freedom Shield drills set to officially start on Monday.
According to military officials, the aircraft dropped four bombs each, but one pilot reportedly entered incorrect coordinates, leading to the unintended targeting of the village. Two individuals suffered serious injuries, but fortunately, no one was reported in critical condition. Local residents recounted the chaos, with one shop owner describing the explosion as “earthquake-like,” causing windows to shatter in her home and nearby houses.
Photos circulated by local media displayed significant destruction, with parts of a house torn from the walls and damage evident to the Catholic church in the area. The South Korean Air Force has expressed regret over the incident and assured compensation for the victims while suspending all live-fire exercises pending further investigation.
The ongoing Freedom Shield exercises, which the U.S. and South Korean forces emphasize are defensive, have drawn criticism from North Korea, which typically perceives them as provocative. Observers are watching closely as Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, hinted that the North may resume testing nuclear weapons in response to perceived threats from ongoing military drills.
Officials confirmed that the United States maintains approximately 28,500 troops in South Korea, underlining the military partnership between the two nations as they navigate an increasingly tense geopolitical climate in the region.
