Media: South Korean armed forces suspend live-fire drills following accidental bomb drop

The Armed Forces of the Republic of Korea have decided to suspend all live-fire drills until the cause of an incident involving the accidental drop of aerial bombs on a village near a training range is determined.

The suspension extends to all forms of live-fire training, including small arms exercises, in response to the mishap that occurred during recent military drills, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media. 

The village, located just 8 kilometres from the training range, was impacted when bombs were accidentally dropped during live-fire manoeuvres conducted by both South Korean and US forces. 

The incident occurred on March 6, during exercises that involved approximately 160 units of military equipment, including tanks, howitzers, helicopters, and fighter jets.

In light of the incident, the mayor of Pocheon, where both the training range and the affected village are situated, has also called on the central government to take further action. The suspension of live-fire drills will remain in effect until a full investigation into the cause of the accident is completed. 

South Korea and the US are scheduled to begin their large-scale joint military exercises, Freedom Shield, on March 10, and the suspension may have implications for these upcoming operations. The two countries are closely monitoring the situation as they prepare for the planned drills.

By Naila Huseynova