The Air Force reaffirms the pilot's error in the interim bombing bombing probe

Seoul, March 10 (Yonhap) – The Air Force reaffirmed the pilot’s error as the main cause of an unprecedented wrong bombing on a civilian city last week, because it launched the results of the fighter jet accident on Monday.

Two KF-16 “abnormal” fighter jets threw eight MK-82 bombs outside a Pocheon training range, about 40 kilometers north of Seoul, during live fire exercises on Thursday, injuring 29, including 15 civilians.

Citing an initial probe, the air force previously said that the pilot’s error is suspected of causing the accidental bombardment, because one of the Jets has entered the wrong target coordinates.

“The pilot of the first aircraft should have double check the target at least three times during the mission process, but he has not done so,” said the air force in a statement.

The pilot was mandated to confirm the target when he coordinated in a common mission planning system and checked the aircraft once a data transfer cartridge was mounted on the aircraft before take -off, according to armed services.

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. (Photo not for sale) (Yonhap)

After take -off, the pilot considered that the flight route is slightly different compared to a preparatory training course, but continued with the bombing, without checking the coordinates, to meet the target time, he added.

The air force also assigned the accident of inadequate management and inspection procedures, saying that the superiors were not given specific instructions.

As part of preventive measures, the air force promised to strengthen the procedures to confirm the target coordinates in live fire exercises and to review its general reporting system for abnormal situations.

Armed services have also announced the plans to strengthen the mission inspection and to strengthen the safety training on live fire exercises for all pilots.

“The air force, which should protect the life and property of people, has caused damage to the people,” said the head of the Air Force, Lee Young-Zu, in a public excuse. “It was an accident that should never happen and one that should not reappear.”

The air force, which put on the ground almost all the aircraft after the accidental bombardment, said that it intends to resume training in phases Monday, in combination with the beginning of a common spring exercise between South Korea and the United States.

However, live fire exercises will resume only after preventive measures are established and relevant measures are completed, he added.

The chief of the General Staff of the Air Force, Lee Young-Su, casts his head before issuing public excuses on an accidental bombing of a civilian city in a press briefing at the Ministry of Defense in Seoul, on March 10, 2025 (Yonhap)

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