Investigators examine the site of an accidental fighter jet bombing over a village in Pocheon, some 40 kilometers north of Seoul, on March 7, 2025, one day after the Air Force's two KF-16 fighter jets mistakenly released eight MK-82 air-to-surface bombs outside a training range, leaving 15 civilians and 14 soldiers injured. (Yonhap)

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South Korea To Declare Pocheon Disaster Zone After Accidental Bombing

08/03/2025 02:49 PM

SEJONG, March 8 (Bernama-Yonhap) -- A northern village accidentally bombed by South Korean fighter jets will be designated a special disaster area, Yonhap News Agency reported.

Acting President and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok instructed officials on Saturday to "swiftly declare the Pocheon area, which suffered massive damage from an erroneous Air Force bombing, a special disaster area to ensure prompt recovery and support for residents."

On Thursday, two KF-16 fighter jets "abnormally" dropped eight MK-82 bombs outside a training range in Pocheon, approximately 40 kilometres north of Seoul, during live-fire drills. The accident left 29 people injured, including 15 civilians, and caused damage to multiple buildings.

The official declaration is expected later in the day.

-- BERNAMA-YONHAP

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