South Korea charges two pilots over accidental bombing
STORY: South Korean military investigators on Thursday charged two Air Force pilots with criminal negligence causing bodily harm for accidentally bombing a village during a training exercise.
The incident injured at least 29 people and caused extensive property damage.
The defence ministry's Criminal Investigation Command said the pilots' errors in entering coordinates were 'direct factors' behind the accidental bombing.
Eight unguided bombs from two fighter jets hit a village in Pocheon during live-fire exercises.
The area features training grounds used by the South Korean and U.S. militaries.
A ministry official said the two pilots have been removed from flight duties, and a review of their certification is scheduled.
The Air Force chief of staff apologized last week and pledged to review procedures to prevent future incidents.
North Korea, which often criticizes South Korean and U.S. military drills, said the accident highlighted the risk of conflict, noting the bombs could have dropped north of the border.
An investigation into the incident is ongoing.
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