Seoul: The defense ministry announced Tuesday the partial resumption of live-fire military drills, which had been fully suspended following an accidental fighter jet bombing that occurred earlier this month.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the incident took place on March 6 when two KF-16 fighter jets accidentally bombed a town in Pocheon, located approximately 40 kilometers north of Seoul, during live-fire drills. The mishap resulted in injuries to 38 people and led the ministry to halt all exercises that involved live ammunition.
The ministry has stated that live-fire drills involving rifles and smaller firearms will resume on Tuesday at units conducting operations and boot camps, excluding those in Pocheon. This decision follows the completion of safety assessments of live-fire training grounds last Friday.
The ministry further detailed that other live-fire exercises, such as those involving machine guns, tanks, and artillery, will recommence in phases. However, drills involving aircraft and those taking place in Pocheon will only resume after the Air Force develops preventative measures, and the safety of the Pocheon area is assured.
An interim Air Force investigation has revealed that the accidental bombing was the result of pilot error. One of the pilots of the single-seat fighter jets mistakenly entered incorrect target coordinates during preparations for the exercise.
On Thursday, the ministry's investigators took legal action against the two pilots, charging them with professional negligence resulting in injury and damage to military facilities.