South Korean Pilots Charged After Accidental Bombing

Two South Korean Air Force pilots have been charged with criminal negligence after an accidental bombing injured 29 people and damaged property. The incident occurred during a training exercise due to errors in coordinate entry, sparking broader safety concerns and calls for a mission procedure review.

In a significant development, South Korean military investigators have charged two Air Force pilots with criminal negligence following a harrowing event last week when an accidental bombing injured at least 29 people in a village. The misadventure unfolded during a training exercise, bringing to the fore concerns about military safety practices.

According to the Defence Ministry's Criminal Investigation Command, the pilots' erroneous entry of coordinates into aircraft systems proved to be a 'direct factor' leading to the inadvertent bombing. The ongoing inquiry revealed that eight unguided air-to-surface bombs launched from fighter jets veered into a village in Pocheon, near the North Korean border, during live-fire exercises.

This incident has reignited long-standing apprehensions among local residents about safety risks. The Air Force chief of staff apologized for the mishap, vowed to reassess mission protocols, and confirmed that the pilots have been suspended from flight duties pending further review. North Korea has criticized the incident, highlighting the potential for military drills to escalate into conflict.

(With inputs from agencies.)