South Korea to refer air force commanders to military prosecution over accidental bombing

ANKARA

Two South Korean air force unit commanders are set to be referred to military prosecution over an accidental bombing last month that injured 52 people, including 38 civilians, in a village near Seoul, local media reported Monday.

The development follows the release of interim investigation findings by South Korea's Defense Ministry, according to the Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency.

The incident occurred on March 6, when two KF-16 fighter jets mistakenly dropped eight MK-82 bombs outside a designated training zone in Pocheon, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of Seoul, during live-fire drills.

The ministry revealed that the two pilots entered incorrect target coordinates, leading to the strike on civilian areas. They have already been placed under disciplinary review and suspended from flight duty for one 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.

The nine officials include seven members of the Air Force and two from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, according to the statement.

Additionally, the ministry said it plans to issue a warning to the Air Force operations commander, citing command responsibility and a failure to ensure proper reporting procedures.