South Korean Military Leaders Encounter Prosecution After Mistaken Bombing
(MENAFN) Two commanders from the South Korean Air Force are anticipated to be handed over to military prosecutors following an accidental bombing incident that occurred the previous month.
The event, which resulted in injuries to 52 individuals—38 of whom were civilians—took place in a village situated near Seoul, as per reports from local news sources on Monday.
This action comes in the wake of preliminary findings disclosed by the country's Defense Ministry, as reported by a Seoul-based news agency.
The mishap took place on March 6, during a live-fire exercise, when two KF-16 combat aircraft unintentionally released eight MK-82 bombs beyond the designated training area in Pocheon, located approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) to the north of Seoul.
The Defense Ministry stated that the pilots had inputted incorrect coordinates, which caused the weapons to strike residential zones.
Both aviators have already been placed under disciplinary investigation and grounded from flying for a year.
"The ministry plans to refer the two pilots and the unit commanders who have been booked to the military prosecution after the probe concludes and seek disciplinary action against nine officials who were found to have belatedly reported the case and taken insufficient measures," the ministry's criminal investigation command said in a statement.
Among the nine individuals identified for further disciplinary measures are seven Air Force personnel and two representatives from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, according to the same announcement.
Moreover, the ministry intends to formally reprimand the Air Force operations chief, holding them accountable for leadership oversight and the failure to enforce timely and proper reporting practices.
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