On March 6, a live-fire accident during joint South Korea-US military exercises injured eight individuals in the city of Pocheon, Seoul. The incident occurred in a civilian district, damaging several homes and a local church.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene, providing immediate aid to the injured. Preliminary investigations by fire officials suggest that the shell responsible for the damage was inadvertently discharged from the ongoing drills near the heavily fortified border with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
Pocheon, located approximately 40 kilometers northeast of Seoul, is in close proximity to areas that remain tense due to the longstanding tensions between South Korea and the DPRK. The joint military exercises, intended to enhance defense readiness, have recently come under scrutiny following this unfortunate event.
Local residents expressed concerns over the safety measures in place during such large-scale exercises. The South Korean and US military officials have yet to comment on the incident, but promises to investigate and bolster safety protocols are expected.
This incident underscores the delicate balance between maintaining military readiness and ensuring the safety and well-being of civilian populations living near high-tension zones.
Reference(s):
8 injured in South Korea after shell from drills hits civilian area
cgtn.com
