A disturbing incident occurred in South Korea yesterday when a military aircraft mistakenly dropped bombs during a training exercise, resulting in injuries to four Thai nationals. According to the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the incident happened during the Freedom Shield joint military exercise between South Korea and the United States. The exercise, aimed at strengthening the alliance between the two nations, took an unfortunate turn when two South Korean warplanes dropped a total of eight MK-82 bombs, which are designed for demolition and bridge destruction, in a residential area in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province.
The incident has caused significant damage to homes and buildings in the area, leaving a total of 15 people injured, including the four Thai nationals. One of the injured Thais suffered injuries to their hands and legs and is currently undergoing treatment at a local hospital, where they are expected to undergo surgery today. The South Korean authorities have assumed responsibility for the medical expenses of the injured individuals. The other three Thai nationals, who sustained minor injuries, have already returned to their accommodations.
The South Korean Air Force has issued a statement apologizing for the incident and has pledged to provide support to those affected. This incident marks the first time that civilians have been injured during a joint South Korea-US military exercise since the Korean War armistice. The Thai Embassy in Seoul has been in close contact with the injured individuals, offering support and monitoring their condition.
The Freedom Shield exercise, which began earlier this month, is a large-scale joint military training operation between South Korea and the United States. The exercise aims to enhance the combat readiness and interoperability of the two nations’ militaries. However, this incident has raised concerns about the safety and effectiveness of such exercises, particularly when they involve live fire and explosives.
As the investigation into the incident continues, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged the South Korean authorities to take necessary measures to prevent such incidents in the future. The ministry has also pledged to provide support and assistance to the injured Thai nationals and their families. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of civilians during military exercises and operations.
Key Developments
- Four Thai nationals were injured in the incident, with one undergoing surgery today.
- The South Korean Air Force has apologized for the incident and pledged to provide support to those affected.
- This incident marks the first time that civilians have been injured during a joint South Korea-US military exercise since the Korean War armistice.
- The Thai Embassy in Seoul is providing support and monitoring the condition of the injured individuals.
The situation is being closely monitored by the Thai authorities, and further updates are expected as more information becomes available.