South Korean Air Force's Accidental Bombing: Government Proposes ₩10 Billion, Local Officials Demand ₩60 Billion
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| Air force's Accidental Bombing Scene (by daum news) |
A major compensation dispute has emerged following a mistaken bombing by the South Korean Air Force near the Seungjin Training Range in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province on March 6. The incident, which injured dozens and caused widespread property damage, has highlighted a deep rift between the central government’s compensation offer and local demands.
The airstrike error resulted in injuries to 38 civilians (including two in critical condition) and 14 military personnel. Additionally, 196 buildings and 16 vehicles sustained damage. The Ministry of National Defense has since filed criminal charges against two unit commanders for negligence in safety and command control, while two pilots face charges for causing injury by negligence during official duties.
Related article: 🛩️ South Korean Air Force KF-16 Accidentally Drops 8 Bombs on Pocheon Residential Area–Government Responds 🚨
💰 Compensation Gap: ₩10 Billion vs ₩60 Billion
While the Ministry of the Interior and Safety proposed ₩10 billion (approx. USD 7.5 million) for restoration and support, Pocheon City officials argue that at least ₩60 billion is needed for full recovery and resettlement of affected residents. The sharp difference in compensation proposals has intensified public and political debate.
The military has partnered with a damage assessment firm that previously handled high-profile cases like the Yeonpyeong Island shelling and the Petapolis apartment fire in Dongtan. Authorities confirmed that the bombing stemmed from a pilot’s input of incorrect coordinates during a training session. Since the pilot is a public official, the case falls under the National Compensation Act.
Affected individuals are encouraged to submit documentation of physical, psychological, and financial losses to the Special Compensation Review Committee under the Ministry of National Defense. Compensation amounts will be determined based on these materials.
🏘️ Local Development Demands Spark Controversy
In a press conference on March 13, Pocheon Mayor Baek Young-hyun called for more than just monetary aid. He urged the government to support regional development plans, including:
- Consolidating three military training zones into one,
- Converting abandoned military zones into defense industry clusters or tourism hubs,
- Incorporating the GTX-G high-speed rail line into the national rail network plan.
However, experts caution that merging development proposals with the accident’s compensation process could delay resolutions.
Professor Park Jung-soo of Ewha Womans University commented, “The military must prioritize responsibility and fair compensation. At the same time, residents should rely on objective criteria to avoid unnecessary delays.” He emphasized that since the compensation budget comes from taxpayers, both sides must approach the matter responsibly and transparently.
📚 Learn Korean Through This News
Korean Text:
"지난달 6일 경기 포천시 승진과학화훈련장 인근에서 벌어진 공군 전투기 오폭 사고 배상이 진통을 겪고 있다. 주민 의견을 수렴해 시가 요구한 배상액은 600억 원인 반면, 정부가 제시한 금액은 100억 원에 불과해 차이가 크다."
Key Vocabulary:
- 포천시 (Po-cheon-si) – Pocheon City (Gyeonggi Province)
- 승진과학화훈련장 (Seung-jin gwa-hak-hwa hun-ryeon-jang) – Seungjin Scientific Training Center
- 인근 (in-geun) – nearby / vicinity
- 공군 전투기 (gong-gun jeon-tu-gi) – Air Force fighter jet
- 오폭 (o-pok) – misfire / accidental bombing
- 사고 (sa-go) – accident
- 배상 (bae-sang) – compensation
- 진통을 겪다 (jin-tong-eul gyeok-da) – to go through difficulties / to experience conflict
- 의견을 수렴하다 (ui-gyeon-eul su-ryeom-ha-da) – to collect opinions
- 요구하다 (yo-gu-ha-da) – to demand / to request
- 배상액 (bae-sang-aek) – compensation amount
- 제시하다 (je-si-ha-da) – to propose / to suggest
- 불과하다 (bul-gwa-ha-da) – to be merely / only
- 차이가 크다 (cha-i-ga keu-da) – there is a big difference
Grammar Notes:
- N 인근에서 벌어진 → 훈련장 인근에서 벌어진: "Occurred near N." The verb 벌어지다 means "to occur/happen" and often refers to incidents or accidents.
- N을/를 겪다 → 진통을 겪고 있다: "To undergo/experience something." Often used with abstract nouns like 갈등 (conflict) or 진통 (struggle).
- A는 반면, B는... → 배상액은 600억 원인 반면...: Contrasting two clauses: “While A..., B…”
- N에 불과하다 → 100억 원에 불과해: Means “only N,” emphasizing that the amount or situation is insufficient.
Language Insight:
- 오폭 (accidental bombing) is a military term. In civilian contexts, it symbolizes negligence or mistake by a powerful entity (like the military or government).
- 진통을 겪고 있다 is frequently used in political or negotiation contexts, meaning "the issue is facing turmoil" or "it's not going smoothly."
Translation:
"Compensation negotiations are facing difficulties following the Air Force fighter jet misfire accident that occurred on the 6th of last month near the Seungjin Scientific Training Center in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province. While the city, after collecting resident opinions, demanded 60 billion won, the government only proposed 10 billion won, resulting in a significant discrepancy."
Reference: 한국일보, yonhap news, choson news, TTHQ