"Can't Live Like This" Pocheon Citizens' Mass Rally Condemning Fighter Jet Friendly Fire Incident

About 1,000 Gather to Condemn the Government and Ministry of National Defense
"Demanding Fundamental Measures" After the Nogok-ri Incident in Idong-myeon

"The citizens of Pocheon want to live with dignity. The friendly fire incident is not a simple mistake but a disaster caused by irresponsibility and complacency. We cannot live like this anymore."

On the 19th at 2 PM, about 1,000 residents from 14 eup, myeon, and dong of Pocheon City gathered to hold a rally condemning the government's inadequate response to the fighter jet bombing accident that occurred in Nogok-ri, Idong-myeon. Photo by Pocheon City

On the 19th, about 1,000 citizens of Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, held a general rally at the sports park next to Pocheon City Hall to condemn the Air Force fighter jet friendly fire accident that occurred on the 6th, strongly denouncing the government and the Ministry of National Defense.

The rally, held at Pocheon Sports Park and hosted by the "Pocheon Citizens' Coalition to Condemn the Fighter Jet Friendly Fire Accident," was attended by about 1,000 residents from 14 towns and townships of Pocheon City, raising awareness of the seriousness of the fighter jet friendly fire accident that occurred in Nogok-ri, Idong-myeon.

Kang Tae-il, co-chairman of the Pocheon Citizens' Coalition to Condemn the Fighter Jet Friendly Fire Accident, said, “For the past 72 years, we have suffered tremendous damage in terms of human lives, property, noise, and environment due to military facilities such as firing ranges on the front line of national security," adding, "Since the armistice, we have been living facing a reality akin to war.”

He continued, “We never raised any objections even when military-related facilities were established, and we have endured all damages caused by training,” adding, “However, the bombing of a residential area on the 6th is a serious incident threatening the lives and safety of citizens and is not a simple mistake. It is a grave matter that calls into question the very reason for the existence of the state.”

At the Pocheon Citizens' General Rally condemning the fighter jet bombing accident held at Pocheon Sports Park on the 19th, the countermeasure committee members are shaving their heads. Provided by Pocheon City

Baek Young-hyun, mayor of Pocheon, said, “The military fighter jet friendly fire accident that occurred in Nogok-ri village, Idong-myeon, on the 6th was an unprecedented disaster that should never have happened under any circumstances,” adding, “Although numerous military-related accidents have occurred in Pocheon until now, there has never been an accident where a fighter jet directly bombed a residential area like this. It was something no one could have imagined unless a war broke out.”

Mayor Baek added, “This accident caused numerous casualties and property damage, and citizens have suffered indelible wounds of daily fear and terror,” adding, “Citizens have been living with the threat of their lives at any time and place, not knowing when stray bullets or shells might come flying, whether 75 years ago or now.”

He continued, “Who can heal the pain of the citizens of Pocheon who have been hurt and bruised like this? Who can guarantee that such pain will never be experienced again? Now the government must respond,” adding, “Until now, the citizens of Pocheon have not even had their basic rights protected. We can no longer endure this. We cannot live enduring a reality akin to torture beyond sacrifice.”

Baek Young-hyun, Mayor of Pocheon, is delivering an encouragement speech at the Pocheon Citizens' General Rally condemning the fighter jet bombing accident held at Pocheon Sports Park on the 19th. Photo by Pocheon City

Mayor Baek urged, “The government and military authorities must promptly prepare fundamental measures to ensure the safety of citizens and also propose special compensation plans for the sacrifices and damages suffered so far.”

On that day, citizens read a resolution, held a head-shaving ceremony, presented cases of damage, and marched to the Pocheon Public Bus Terminal to strongly protest against the government and military authorities.

Meanwhile, Pocheon City plans to deliver a letter expressing the determined will of Pocheon citizens regarding the fighter jet friendly fire accident to Choi Sang-mok, Acting President, Kim Seon-ho, Acting Minister of National Defense, the Chief of the Presidential Secretariat in Yongsan, Woo Won-shik, Speaker of the National Assembly, and others.