South Korea charges air force pilots with criminal negligence in accidental bombing of village



SEOUL, South Korea — South Korean military investigators charged two Air Force pilots on Thursday with criminal negligence over an accidental bombing of a village last week during a training exercise, which injured at least 29 people and caused extensive property damage.

Defense ministry investigators have confirmed that errors by the pilots when they entered coordinates into the aircraft systems were “direct factors” behind the accidental bombing, the ministry’s Criminal Investigation Command said in a statement.

The pilots were charged with criminal negligence causing bodily harm, the command said, adding that the investigation of the incident is ongoing.

Eight unguided air-to-surface bombs were launched from two fighter jets and landed on a village in Pocheon near the border with North Korea during live-fire exercises.

Several areas in Pocheon and neighboring regions have training grounds used by the South Korean and U.S. militaries.

Residents have for years complained about potential safety risks and disturbance from military units being mobilized in the area.

The two pilots have been taken off flight duties and a review of their flight mission certification has been scheduled, a ministry official said.

The Air Force chief of staff has apologized for the accident and pledged to review mission procedures to prevent similar incidents.

North Korea, which routinely denounces military drills by the South Korean and U.S. militaries, has said the accident showed the risk of the drills triggering armed conflict, citing the possibility the bombs could have dropped north of the border.



Source link

  • Related Posts

    Li Ka-shing Has Little to Lose as China Threatens Panama Deal

    Breadcrumb Trail Links PMN Business Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing has raised Beijing’s ire by agreeing to sell its control over ports in Panama to appease President Donald Trump. But…

    Farmers face steep losses in the middle of Trump’s trade war and funding cuts

    Jennifer Gilkerson never imagined that her West Virginia farm’s freeze-dried fruits would get caught up in political fights in Washington, D.C.  But last Friday, she learned that funding for a…

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    You Missed

    Li Ka-shing Has Little to Lose as China Threatens Panama Deal

    Li Ka-shing Has Little to Lose as China Threatens Panama Deal

    The Mark Carney era begins with prime minister and new cabinet sworn in today

    The Mark Carney era begins with prime minister and new cabinet sworn in today

    American Express Blue Business Cash vs. American Express Blue Business Plus: The battle of the blues

    American Express Blue Business Cash vs. American Express Blue Business Plus: The battle of the blues

    SoftBank buys $676M old Sharp plant for its OpenAI collab in Japan

    SoftBank buys $676M old Sharp plant for its OpenAI collab in Japan

    SoFi Stadium unveils World Cup test pitch at Nations League

    SoFi Stadium unveils World Cup test pitch at Nations League

    Silent Hill F Cinematic Trailer Brings Small Town Horror To Japan

    Silent Hill F Cinematic Trailer Brings Small Town Horror To Japan