Four Thais are among 15 people injured after South Korean fighter jets accidentally dropped eight bombs on a civilian area during a military exercise in Pocheon.
Nikorndej Balankura, spokesman for the Thai Foreign Ministry, said yesterday that the Thai Embassy in Seoul had informed him that four of the injured were Thai nationals. One sustained serious injuries to his hands and legs and was scheduled for surgery on Friday at a hospital in Pocheon.
He added that South Korean authorities would cover the medical expenses for the seriously injured Thai, while the other three, who suffered minor injuries, had already returned to their lodgings.
The South Korean Air Force stated that eight 500-pound Mk82 bombs from two KF-16 jets fell outside the designated shooting range during a joint live-fire exercise. The accident occurred due to a pilot entering incorrect coordinates.
Pocheon is located about 40 kilometers northeast of Seoul, near the heavily militarized border with North KoreaSouth Korea's Air Force said Thursday that one of its fighter jets had accidentally dropped eight bombs in the wrong place during a training exercise, resulting in civilian injuries.
"Eight MK-82 general-purpose bombs were abnormally released from an Air Force KF-16 aircraft, landing outside the designated firing range," the Air Force said.
The incident occurred around 10:00 am (0100 GMT) in Pocheon, around 25 kilometres (16 miles) south of the heavily fortified border with the nuclear-armed North.
"We deeply regret the unintended release of the bombs, which resulted in civilian casualties, and wish those injured a swift recovery," the Air Force said in a statement.
It said it had established an accident response committee to investigate the incident, and said it would "take all necessary measures, including compensation for damages."
The Air Force said the military jet had been "participating in a joint live-fire exercise involving both the Air Force and Army."
South Korea was holding combined live-fire drills with the United States Thursday in Pocheon, the Yonhap news agency reported.
South Korea's National Fire Agency said that the bombs were "presumed to have fallen on a village during a South Korea-US joint exercise."
This resulted in "casualties and property damage, with many displaced residents," it said, adding that four people had been seriously injured and three suffered minor injuries.
One church building and sections of two houses were damaged, according to the statement.
Joint South Korea-US "Freedom Shield" military exercises, one of the security allies' largest annual joint exercises, are set to begin later this month.
The two Koreas remain technically at war since the 1950-1953 conflict ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty.
The United States stations tens of thousands of soldiers in the South, in part to protect Seoul against Pyongyang..
