SEOUL: South Korean military investigators charged two Air Force pilots on Thursday ( Mar 13 ) with criminal negligence over an accidental bombing of a village last week during a training exercise, which injured at least 29 people and caused extensive property damage.
Defence government prosecutors have confirmed that mistakes by the pilots when they entered coordinates into the plane systems were “direct factors” behind the sudden attack, the agency’s Criminal Investigation Command said in a speech.
The planes were charged with unlawful neglect causing bodily harm, the order said, adding the analysis of the incident is ongoing.
Eight unrestricted air-to-surface weapons were launched from two warrior planes and landed on a township in Pocheon near the border with North Korea during live-fire activities.
Many places in Pocheon and neighbouring provinces have education basis used by the South Korean and United States forces.
People have for decades complained about possible health risks and commotion from defense units being mobilised in the area.
The two pilots have been taken off flight duties and a review of their flight mission certification has been scheduled, a ministry official said.
The Air Force chief of staff has apologised for the accident and pledged to review mission procedures to prevent similar incidents.
North Korea, which routinely denounces military drills by the South Korean and US militaries, has said the accident showed the risk of the drills triggering armed conflict, citing the possibility the bombs could have dropped north of the border.