South Korean government to declare Pocheon disaster zone after accidental bombing
12:17, 8 March 2025
A northern village accidentally bombed by South Korean fighter jets will be designated a special disaster area, Yonhap reports.
Acting President and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok instructed officials on Saturday to "swiftly declare the Pocheon area, which suffered massive damage from an erroneous Air Force bombing, a special disaster area to ensure prompt recovery and support for residents."
On Thursday, two KF-16 fighter jets "abnormally" dropped eight MK-82 bombs outside a training range in Pocheon, some 40 kilometers north of Seoul, during live-fire drills. The accident left 29 people, including 15 civilians, injured and damaged multiple buildings.
The official declaration is expected later in the day.
