Yongsan bombing explained

The Yongsan bombing by the United States Air Force took place during the North Korean offensive of the Korean War and included a destructive bombing raid in Seoul.^[1] About 50 B-29s with the U.S. Fifth Air Force bombed Yongsan, Seoul on 16 July 1950.^[1] The B-29s dropped bombs on the switch yard and arsenal behind the Yongsan Station to slow down the North Korean army advance; however, some of the bombs missed the targets and hit civilian facilities.^[1] Some 1,587 citizens were killed representing 58.6% of the total civilian casualties. The South Korean Truth and Reconciliation Commission declined to investigate the incident, calling the bombing operation a military necessity.^[1]

Further reading

• Korea bloodbath probe ends; US escapes much blame Associated Press July 11, 2010
• TRCK relaxes U.S. bombing investigation criterion under new president Observers say the organization has dropped a greater number of investigation petitions under the new conservative president Hankyoreh Jul.16,2010

External links

• – Footage of the bombing can be seen at 11:37

Notes and References

1. News: U.S.'s Yongsan bombing of 1950 caused 1,587 civilian deaths U.S. air raids accounted for 25 percent of civilian deaths in the first 3 months of the war . Hankyoreh. Jul 16, 2010. 2010-07-18.