[craig nigrelli]
SOUTH KOREAN MILITARY OFFICIALS CHARGED TWO AIR FORCE PILOTS WITH CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE AFTER THEY ENTERED INCORRECT COORDINATES DURING A TRAINING EXERCISE, CAUSING THEIR FIGHTER JETS TO BOMB A CIVILIAN VILLAGE. THE MARCH 6 INCIDENT IN POCHEON, (poach -on) NEAR THE NORTH N KOREAN BORDER, INJURED AT LEAST 29 PEOPLE INCLUDING 15 CIVILIANS AND 14 SOLDIERS, CAUSING EXTENSIVE PROPERTY DAMAGE.
INVESTIGATORS DETERMINED THE PILOTS MISTAKENLY DIRECTED TWO KF-16 FIGHTER JETS TO RELEASE EIGHT 500-POUND MK-82 BOMBS OUTSIDE THE DESIGNATED TRAINING RANGE. THE EXPLOSIONS DAMAGED HOMES AND BUILDINGS, LEAVING RESIDENTS WITH EAR INJURIES, MIGRAINES, AND ANXIETY. NINE VICTIMS REMAIN HOSPITALIZED, INCLUDING TWO IN SERIOUS CONDITION.
THE DEFENSE MINISTRY REMOVED THE PILOTS FROM FLIGHT DUTIES AND SCHEDULED A REVIEW OF THEIR MISSION CERTIFICATION. IF CONVICTED, THEY COULD FACE UP TO FIVE YEARS IN PRISON OR A FINE UNDER SOUTH KOREAN LAW. MILITARY OFFICIALS ALSO DISMISSED TWO UNIT COMMANDERS RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERSEEING SAFETY PROTOCOLS.
RESIDENTS IN POCHEON PROTESTED NEAR THE DEFENSE MINISTRY IN SEOUL, CALLING FOR AN END TO MILITARY DRILLS THEY SAY PUT CIVILIANS AT RISK. MEANWHILE, NORTH KOREA CONDEMNED THE INCIDENT, ARGUING IT HIGHLIGHTS THE DANGERS OF U.S.-SOUTH KOREAN MILITARY EXERCISES AND THE POTENTIAL FOR ESCALATION.
THE GOVERNMENT SUSPENDED LIVE-FIRE EXERCISES WHILE INVESTIGATORS EXAMINE THE FAILURE. DESPITE THE INCIDENT, JOINT U.S.-SOUTH KOREAN MILITARY DRILLS WILL CONTINUE AS PLANNED.
THE AIR FORCE CHIEF OF STAFF APOLOGIZED AND PLEDGED TO REVIEW PROCEDURES TO PREVENT FUTURE INCIDENTS.
FOR MORE OF OUR UNBIASED, STRAIGHT FACT REPORTING – DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP TODAY, OR LOG ON TO SAN.COM.
Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their legal original owners.