South Korea charges air force pilots with criminal negligence in accidental bombing of village
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Investigators have confirmed that errors by the pilots when they entered coordinates into the aircraft systems were “direct factors” behind the accidental bombing.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Follow topic:
SEOUL - South Korean military investigators charged two Air Force pilots on March 13 with criminal negligence over an accidental bombing of a village last week
Defence 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 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-firing exercises.
Several areas in Pocheon and neighbouring regions have training grounds used by the South Korean and US militaries.
Residents have for years complained about potential safety risks and disturbance from military units being mobilised 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 apologised 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 US militaries
