According to the Air Force, the two officers, a colonel and a lieutenant colonel, failed to fulfill their legal duties by neglecting safety protocols and oversight. Authorities ruled that their actions constituted a “serious violation of duty” due to inadequate supervision and command management.
The incident occurred on March 6 when two KF-16 fighter jets mistakenly dropped eight Mark 82 bombs, each containing nearly 90 kg of high explosives, on a residential area near Seung-jin Training Field, about 35–40 km from the North Korean border. The explosion injured 24 civilians and 14 soldiers, while 99 buildings were either destroyed or damaged.
An initial investigation revealed that the first pilot entered incorrect coordinates and skipped a verification step due to a printing error. He also falsely reported having visually confirmed the target location. The second pilot, despite inputting the correct coordinates, followed the first pilot’s instructions due to the simultaneous attack drill structure.
In response, the Air Force will review the qualifications of both pilots next week to determine whether they are fit to continue operating fighter jets. Additionally, all live-fire training exercises have been temporarily suspended until a full investigation is completed.
On March 10, Air Force Chief of Staff Lee Young-su publicly apologized, acknowledging the military’s failure to protect civilian lives and property. He vowed to prevent similar accidents, take responsibility as commander, and ensure compensation and medical support for affected civilians.
