The result of total compliance and lack of discipline

The unprecedented accidental bombing of a civilian area of ​​March 6 has been shown to be the result of the lack of discipline of Korean air forces. The air force announced on Monday the provisional results of its investigation on the incident. According to the findings, two KF-16 combat jets that took off from the Seosan air base threw eight MK-82 guide bombs on a civilian area in Nogok-Ri, Pocheon, about 10 kilometers from the ground. Air Force has identified the cause of the accident as an input error by fighters when they come into coordinates.

The scene of bombardments with accidental combat jet. This photo, taken from a closed circuit television camera and provided by the MBN broadcaster on March 7, 2025, shows an accidentally fallen bomb from a fighter jet that exploded in a village in Pocheon, about 40 kilometers north of Seoul, the previous day. Two KF-16 KF-16 Korean fighter jets missed eight MK-82 air-surface bombs outside a training range, leaving 15 civilians and 14 wounded soldiers. (Yonhap)

The problem, however, is in the complaint set out during the investigation. The fighting pilots went wrong in the target latitude in the common mission planning system (JMP) in their office one day before flight, but did not go through a verification process to ensure accuracy. Even more disturbing, the second combat jet failed to receive data from JMPs before take-off and had to return to the correct coordinates, but still threw his bombs on the wrong location, following the first plane. The first pilot, in particular, visually confirmed that the target area looked different from the stipulated land, but still falsely reported “confirmed target” before pressing the release button. Three opportunities to prevent the accident were scattered due to the lack of due diligence.

The negligence of the air forces did not end there. The commander of the unit, who should have meticulously supervise the live fire exercise, delegated the responsibilities of a battalion commander and did not receive a direct report from the pilots. Even after the incident took place, the air force took 14 minutes to report it to the command of the air forces. Delaying the notification of emergency services and police also prevented rescue operations and efforts to prevent civilians from approaching the danger area. The incident has highlighted critical systemic defects, from entry errors to delayed response and reporting measures.

Investigators examine the place of an accidental bombardment of hunting jet on a village in Pocheon, about 40 kilometers north of Seoul, on March 7, 2025, one day after two KF-16 KF-16 Korean combat jets released eight MK-82 Air-Sure bombs outside a training range, leaving 15 civilians. (Yonhap)

What kind of impression would North Korea have our army at the witness of this reality? On Monday, North Korea fired several ballistic missiles to the yellow Sea, using the common military exercises in South-U-Korea as an excuse. However, the only response of the South -Korean army was to say: “We maintain full training.” The chief of the General Staff of the Air Force, Lee Young-Soo, leaned his head on Monday, saying: “The air force, which is responsible for protecting the life and properties of our citizens, endangered public safety.” He added: “I am not attached to my position. I will work with a decision to eliminate bad practices and make sure that such an accident will never happen again. “It remains to be seen if these words will be translated into a real action.

The army frequently faced coverage suspicions and reduced incidents whenever accidents occur. This time it must be different. The investigation must be thorough, and those responsible must be held accountable, so that the army can use this as an opportunity for fundamental reform. The Ministry of National Defense has announced an investigation in the accident. Given the severity of this unprecedented civil bombardment and the systemic problems that have been exposed, the change of all guilt on individual pilots or solving excuses from the head of the Air Force is not sufficient. The responsibility of this breakdown of the discipline finally returns with the top military management, including the Ministry of National Defense and with the heads of common personnel.

Translated using you generatively and edited by the daily staff of Korea Joongang.