SEOUL—South Korean military investigators accused two Air Force pilots with criminal negligence on Thursday for accidentally bombing a hamlet during a training exercise last week, injuring at least 29 people and causing substantial property damage.
According to a statement from the Defense Ministry's Criminal Investigation Command, mistakes made by pilots while entering coordinates into aircraft systems were "direct factors" in the unintentional bombing.
The pilots were accused with criminal carelessness causing bodily harm, according to the command, and the investigation into the event is still underway.
During live-fire training, two fighter aircraft dropped eight unguided air-to-surface bombs, which fell on a hamlet in Pocheon near the North Korean border.
Several places in Pocheon and surrounding regions serve as training grounds for the South Korean and US troops.
Residents have long complained about potential safety issues and disturbances caused by military forces stationed nearby.
The two pilots have been relieved of their flying responsibilities, and their flight mission certification will be reviewed, according to a ministry official.
The Air Force chief of staff has apologized for the disaster and promised to reassess mission protocols to avoid future occurrences.
North Korea, which habitually condemns military maneuvers conducted by the South Korean and US forces, claimed the mishap demonstrated the potential of armed war, citing the likelihood that the bombs were dropped north of the border.
