Number of people injured after fighter jets accidentally drop bombs rises to 29, South Korea says
SEOUL, South Korea — The number of people injured when South Korean fighter jets accidentally dropped bombs on a civilian area has increased to 29 from 15, the National Defense Ministry said Friday.
Those injured include 15 civilians and 14 military personnel, the ministry said. Seven civilians and two soldiers remain hospitalized, including two civilians classified as seriously injured, while 20 other people have been treated and discharged, it said.
The accident occurred Thursday during military training in Pocheon, a northeastern city of about 140,000 people near the heavily fortified border with North Korea. U.S. and South Korean forces were conducting a live-fire drill in preparation for Freedom Shield, an annual U.S.-South Korea joint military exercise that is set to get underway Monday.
A total of eight 500-pound MK-82 bombs were 'abnormally released' by two South Korean air force KF-16s, landing outside the designated firing range.
While the Freedom Shield exercise is going ahead as planned, Col. Ryan Donald, spokesperson for U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), said Friday that the U.S. and South Korean militaries had agreed to pause all live-fire training until further notice.
USFK said earlier that no U.S. Air Force aircraft participated in the exercise.
South Korea, a U.S. treaty ally, hosts almost 30,000 U.S. service members. The Freedom Shield exercise, which runs for 10 days from March 10, is designed to strengthen the alliance's combined defense posture in the face of growing threats from nuclear-armed North Korea.
North Korea criticized the Freedom Shield exercise Friday, saying it would worsen the situation on the Korean Peninsula and violate its "sovereignty, security and interests.'
'If the U.S. continues to renew its record of military muscle-flexing, we will have no option but to renew our record of displaying strategic deterrent,' the state-run KCNA news agency said in a commentary.
Stella Kim reported from Seoul, and Julia Zhong reported from Hong Kong.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
35 minutes ago
- Yahoo
America's Second-Ever Quadruplets Were Born a Century Ago and the Last Sibling Just Died
The Perricone quadruplets made global headlines when they were born in Texas on Halloween in 1929 The brothers were the first surviving male quadruplets in the world and dubbed the Alphabet Quads On Monday, June 2, Carl Vincent Perricone Sr., the last surviving quadruplet, diedThe last surviving sibling of a history-making set of quadruplets has died. Carl Vincent Perricone Sr., who was part of the second documented set of quadruplets born in the United States, died at the age of 95 on Monday, June 2, CBS affiliate KFDM, KJAS radio station and ABC affiliate KBMT-KJAC reported. The family did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. When Anthony, Bernard, Carl and Donald Perricone (hence the nickname the Alphabet Quads) were born in Beaumont, Texas, on Halloween in 1929, they were the first surviving male quadruplets in the world, according to the Museum of the Gulf Coast. Their Italian immigrant parents, Maria Concetta 'Bessie' Mazzu Perricone and Philip 'Filippo' Perricone, had already lost a daughter to whooping cough and had five sons when the babies were born. Following their unprecedented birth, the quadruplets made global headlines. The boys appeared in the news again on their first day of school in Beaumont in 1935, KFDM reported. When the four boys were grown, their special connection carried them through when they were drafted in the Korean War. Normally, siblings were not permitted to serve together, but then-Senator Lyndon B. Johnson helped ensure they were in the same unit while stationed in South Korea, the museum said. When the brothers returned home, they worked together at Pure Oil Refinery before Anthony decided to become a barber. Carl and his two brothers remained at the company until retirement, according to the museum. The quadruplets eventually bought a parcel of land in their hometown, and dubbed the private road Quad Lane, where their descendants still live. Bernard was the first of the quadruplets to die in 1990, followed by Donald in 1991 and Anthony in 1998, the museum said. After his brothers died, Carl continued to enjoy the outdoors and smoking his pipe, according to his obituary. 'He always enjoyed visits from the kids, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, as well as family and friends who found their way to the woods,' the obituary reads. 'Carl will be deeply missed.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Anne Perricone, his six children and multiple grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Even as Carl is laid to rest, his legacy of service with his brothers remains. In 2010, he was asked to attend a ceremony with the South Korean president to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of the Korean War, the museum said. Carl attended, representing his brothers and his country. Read the original article on People
UPI
2 hours ago
- UPI
South Korea faces a reckoning: Political dysfunction, moral drift and the path to unification
The South Korean flag flies in front of the Constitutional Court during the trial of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul, South Korea, on Tuesday, February 25, 2025. File Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI | License Photo June 4 (UPI) -- South Korea's transformation from colonial subjugation and a war-ravaged state into one of the world's leading economies and cultural exporters is a story of extraordinary resilience and ambition. Yet, beneath this remarkable trajectory lies an increasingly fragile foundation -- one marred by political dysfunction, institutional distrust, demographic collapse, and a waning sense of national purpose. The political turmoil of recent months, including former President Yoon Suk-yeol's controversial martial law declaration and the ongoing legal entanglements of President-elect Lee Jae-myung, should not be dismissed as partisan spectacles. They reveal deeper structural flaws that threaten South Korea's social fabric and future stability. Amid growing public disillusionment, the new administration must take bold, systemic steps to restore confidence in governance, reaffirm national identity and reignite the vision of peaceful Korean unification. I. Political Paralysis and Institutional Decay The December 2024 martial law declaration was a jarring reminder of the fragility of democratic norms. President Yoon's overreach resulted in his impeachment and further polarized an already fractured political landscape. Yet, his opponents in the Democratic Party have themselves fueled a cycle of retribution through repeated attempts to impeach officials and politicize legal proceedings. South Korea's political climate has become one in which elections are viewed not as opportunities for civic renewal, but as battles for institutional control. The line between opposition and prosecution is increasingly blurred. Voters perceive justice as selectively applied, and both major parties bear responsibility for undermining public trust. President-elect Lee inherits a nation divided, with his own credibility under scrutiny. The Supreme Court has upheld a ruling against him for violating election laws, while additional charges -- including bribery and breach of trust -- remain unresolved. His first task must be to restore confidence by ensuring legal transparency and avoiding the perception of using office as a shield from prosecution. II. The Judiciary in Disarray Beyond political reform, South Korea faces a crisis of judicial legitimacy. Once regarded as a stabilizing force, the courts are now viewed by many as politicized and inconsistent. High-profile rulings frequently seem contradictory, and prosecutorial discretion is often perceived as unaccountable and overly aggressive. The judiciary's credibility cannot be restored through rhetoric alone. Structural changes are essential. These include insulating judges from political pressure, establishing clear and consistent standards for legal decisions, and introducing mechanisms to protect citizens from prosecutorial overreach. Restoring rule of law is not merely a matter of governance -- it is a prerequisite for national unity and long-term stability. III. A Nation Facing Demographic Crisis South Korea also faces an unprecedented demographic collapse. In 2024, the country recorded the lowest fertility rate in the world -- just 0.72 births per woman. This statistic is more than a demographic concern; it is a civilizational alarm. A society that cannot sustain its population will struggle to maintain its economy, social systems and global standing. While economic burdens -- rising housing costs, long working hours, and education expenses -- are certainly contributors, the crisis runs deeper. There is a growing cultural and psychological alienation from marriage, parenthood and traditional family structures. Young adults increasingly view child-rearing as a burden rather than a joy, and many elders live in isolation. South Korea now faces the intergenerational consequences of decades of material progress without sufficient moral and social investment. Government incentives have done little to reverse this trend. What is needed is a broader cultural shift -- one that restores value to family life and reaffirms intergenerational responsibility. This includes rethinking education, media narratives and social policy to reinforce rather than undermine traditional bonds. Prosperity, both economic and societal, begins with the strength of families. IV. Economic Imbalance and Structural Vulnerabilities Economically, South Korea's headline figures remain impressive, but the structural underpinnings are weakening. The continued dominance of large conglomerates (chaebols) has stifled innovation and exacerbated inequality. Labor disputes, youth unemployment and real estate speculation all point to systemic inefficiencies. Privatizing the financial system, empowering small and medium enterprises and improving access to affordable housing are necessary to create a more equitable and sustainable economic environment. Equally important is reducing reliance on a narrow group of trade partners. South Korea must diversify beyond China and prepare for the implications of U.S. trade policy, particularly under a second Trump administration. President-elect Lee has spoken of a vision for South Korea as a "global pivotal state." To make that more than a slogan, he must pursue pragmatic trade policies and regulatory reforms that support broader economic participation. A resilient economy is one where citizens believe that effort and enterprise are rewarded fairly -- and that national progress is not confined to elites. V. Reclaiming the Mission of Unification Perhaps most neglected in recent discourse is the question of national unification. For decades, unification with North Korea has been treated as a distant aspiration. But it remains central to Korea's historical identity and geopolitical future. The continued division of the peninsula is not just a strategic anomaly; it is a civilizational wound. Efforts toward unification cannot proceed in a vacuum. South Korea's internal cohesion 00 its institutional integrity, civic morale, and cultural unity -- will shape the feasibility of any future reconciliation. A divided South cannot realistically unify a divided Korea. This is why unification must be approached not as a partisan platform, but as a national mission rooted in civic education, economic strategy and long-term diplomacy. Public awareness campaigns should highlight the potential cultural and economic benefits of unification, while civil society should be mobilized to support grassroots dialogue and cross-border cooperation. Internationally, this requires strengthening ties with key allies like the United States and rebuilding trust with Japan to coordinate regional security. Ultimately, unification efforts must be based on Korean Dream rooted in Korea's founding ideal of Hongik Ingan -- "to benefit all humanity." That vision requires not only civil and political will, but national character. To Korea's Next Leader: A Call to Courage To South Korea's new president: Your administration begins at a defining moment. The country does not need ideological fervor or managerial efficiency alone. It needs leadership grounded in truth, justice and vision. Judicial reform must come not as a tool for settling scores, but as an instrument of renewal. Family policy must move beyond subsidies to embrace cultural restoration. Economic policy must prioritize inclusivity and sustainability. Lead not by fear or faction, but by courage and conscience. Conduct your own legal affairs with transparency and openness. Speak plainly about the challenges the country faces. Mobilize citizens not just to believe in Korea's potential, but to take part in its restoration. Conclusion: Korea's Defining Choice South Korea stands at a crossroads. One path leads toward further polarization and decline. The other points toward renewal, reconciliation and long-term peace. That choice does not belong to one party or administration-it belongs to the Korean people. Educators, judges, business leaders, parents and youth all have a role to play in rebuilding what has been eroded. History will judge this generation not by the wealth it accumulated or the institutions it preserved, but by the vision it restored. The time for superficial fixes is over. The work of national rebuilding must begin.
3 hours ago
New South Korean President Lee faces crucial challenges at home and abroad
SEOUL, South Korea -- Winning a tense election that capped off months of political turmoil, new South Korean President Lee Jae-myung described his victory as the start of the country's return to normalcy following the crisis sparked by then-conservative leader Yoon Suk Yeol's imposition of martial law in December. But the outspoken liberal, who assumed office immediately on Wednesday without a transition period, takes the helm during a highly challenging time for the country, which has struggled mightily to revive a faltering economy battered by months of political paralysis and compounded by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff hikes. Lee also inherits from Yoon the escalating threat of North Korea's nuclear ambitions, now further complicated by Pyongyang's deepening alignment with Moscow over Russian President Vladimir Putin's war on Ukraine. Here's a look at the key challenges facing Lee's government: In his inauguration speech, Lee identified the economy as his top priority, vowing to immediately launch an emergency task force to wage a 'head-on battle' against the looming threat of recession and to boost government spending to jumpstart economic activity. South Korean economic institutions have repeatedly sounded the alarm in recent months over the state of the economy, citing sluggish business investment, weak consumer spending, a deteriorating job market and a trade environment worsened by Trump's tariffs and other America-first policies. Despite the country's strikingly high household debt, the central bank last week lowered borrowing costs in a desperate bid to inject more money into the economy and slashed its 2025 growth forecast to 0.8%, which would be the weakest since a 0.7% contraction during the COVID-19 crisis in 2020. Lee won't have much time to negotiate with Washington before July 9, when Trump's 90-day pause in global reciprocal tariffs is set to expire, potentially exposing South Korean products to 25% tax rates. Although a U.S. federal court recently ruled that Trump lacks authority to impose his planned tariffs, the White House has appealed, leaving the outcome uncertain. Trump has also pushed for product-specific tariffs on key sectors like autos and semiconductors, which make up a major share of South Korean exports. Trump could also seek a broader deal requiring Seoul to pay significantly more for the 28,000 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea to deter North Korean threats. While Seoul's previous government had aimed to reach a 'package' deal with Trump by early July, Lee has preached patience on tariffs, saying it would be against national interests to obsess with an early agreement. In his inaugural address, Lee promised to reopen a communication channel with North Korea to ease tensions. But prospects for the early resumption of dialogue between the rival Koreas are dim, as North Korea has been constantly rejecting dialogue offers by South Korea and the U.S. since 2019, when talks between Washington and Pyongyang collapsed over disagreements on economic sanctions. North Korea's priority in foreign policy is now firmly Russia, which has received thousands of North Korean troops and large amounts of military equipment in recent months for its warfighting in Ukraine. During campaigning, Lee acknowledged that it would be 'very difficult' to arrange a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un anytime soon, though it's something he will seek. Lee said he would support Trump's efforts to restart nuclear diplomacy with Kim, saying that improved ties between Pyongyang and Washington could allow aid projects for the impoverished North that will likely require South Korean support. Lee nominated former Unification Minister Lee Jong-seok, a dove who espouses reconciliation with North Korea, as his spy chief. The nomination likely reflects Lee Jae-myung's hopes to revive inter-Korean dialogue, given the behind-the-scene roles of the National Intelligence Service played to reach out to Pyongyang under the past liberal governments. However, many experts also note that Lee Jae-myung does not share the same level of Korean nationalist zeal as his liberal predecessors, and they question how firmly he would stick to his appeasement approach if provocative actions by North Korea, such as high-profile missile tests or border incursions, undermine public support for his policy at home. Lee was previously accused by his critics of tilting toward Pyongyang and Beijing and away from Washington and Tokyo. He once slammed a U.S. missile defense system in South Korea as a source of tensions and likened strengthening U.S.-Japan ties to a 1905 Washington-Tokyo agreement that he said eventually helped Japan colonize the Korean Peninsula. But Lee has recently refrained from making similar contentious comments, instead repeatedly pledging to pursue pragmatic diplomacy. He has vowed to enhance South Korea's alliance with the U.S. and their trilateral cooperation with Japan, while also emphasizing the need to reduce tensions with North Korea and avoid frictions with China and Russia. While Lee may eventually take steps to improve ties with North Korea and China — relations that deteriorated under Yoon, who prioritized the U.S. and Japan — experts say Lee is unlikely to take drastic actions that might undermine the alliance with Washington or negatively impact South Korea's financial markets. Lee has stated that he will address thorny historical disputes with Japan separately from matters of security, trade, and other issues. However, many experts believe he is unlikely to completely reverse the progress made in Seoul-Tokyo relations in recent years. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Wednesday that he hopes to hold summit talks with Lee 'as early as possible' and expressed a desire to further strengthen bilateral ties. Long accused by critics of being a divisive populist, Lee pledged unity throughout his campaign, vowing not to target conservatives and calling for an end to South Korea's deep political polarization and a return to dialogue and compromise. However, he has also pledged a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Yoon's martial law stunt — a saga that could continue to overshadow Lee's presidency and spark tensions with conservatives, especially as the ousted conservative faces a high-stakes criminal trial on rebellion charges punishable by death or life imprisonment. While Yoon defended his martial law decree as a necessary response to what he called the Democratic Party's abuse of its legislative majority to obstruct his agenda, that same majority now gives Lee a far more favorable environment to advance his policies. Conservatives have voiced concern that this could give Lee partially unchecked power and enable him to advance legislation that shields his presidency from his own legal troubles. Lee faces five separate trials on corruption and other charges, but the hearings were suspended ahead of Tuesday's election. While South Korea's constitution shields sitting presidents from most criminal prosecution aside of rebellion or treason, it doesn't clearly state whether this protection extends to preelection indictments. The Democrats have been pushing to revise the criminal procedure law to keep Lee's trials suspended during his term, drawing criticism from conservatives.
