South Korean military investigators have charged two Air Force pilots with criminal negligence for accidentally bombing a village during a training exercise, injuring 29 people and causing property damage. The Defense Ministry confirmed errors by the pilots in entering coordinates were the direct cause of the incident. The pilots have been charged with criminal negligence causing bodily harm, and the investigation is ongoing. The pilots have been removed from flight duties and their certification is under review.
The accidental bombing occurred during live-fire exercises when eight unguided air-to-surface bombs were launched from fighter jets, landing in a village near the North Korean border. Residents in the region have long expressed concerns about safety risks and disturbances from military activities. The Air Force chief of staff has apologized for the accident and vowed to review mission procedures to prevent similar incidents.
North Korea, which often criticizes military drills by South Korea and the US, has used this accident to highlight the potential of such drills to trigger armed conflict. They pointed out that the bombs could have fallen north of the border. The incident has raised questions about the safety and regulation of military drills in the region, prompting calls for increased oversight and precautions.
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