Whose security do US-ROK joint military exercises protect?

On the morning of March 6, a residential area in Pocheon city, Gyeonggi province, Republic of Korea (ROK), became the site of a devastating incident. During a US-ROK joint military exercise, two ROK Air Force fighter jets mistakenly dropped eight MK-82 bombs — each weighing 227 kilograms — onto civilian homes. The bombing left at least 29 people injured and destroyed several buildings. If such bombs were to strike a densely populated area, the consequences would be unimaginable. This botched "erroneous bombing" not only shocked people at home and abroad but also compels reflection: Whose security do these US-ROK joint military exercises actually protect?

Despite being labeled as "defensive," these military exercises have long served as a catalyst for bloc confrontation and escalated regional tensions. Under the guise of "safeguarding peace", these exercises claim to counter the so-called "DPRK threat." Yet, far from easing tensions on the peninsula, such muscle-flexing have only exacerbated conflicts. History has repeatedly shown that genuine peace is never achieved through military posturing, intimidation, or coercion, but rather through dialogue and cooperation.

The US-ROK alliance, a relic of the Cold War, is outdated. Far from ensuring safety for the people of ROK, these joint exercises have exacted a bloody toll on innocent civilians. Such military theatrics, disguised as security measures, essentially chain regional nations to a chariot of antagonism — with ordinary people paying the price. The above-mentioned incident is no isolated case: Accidents like misplaced bombs or misfired missiles have occurred repeatedly during US joint drills with Japan, the Philippines and Australia, sparking outrage among local communities. Beyond military exercises, United States Forces Korea have faced widespread criticism in recent years for sexual crimes, environmental pollution, noise disturbances and other grievances. These incidents are not mere accidents but the consequence of military hegemony trampling civilian safety.

The recent bombing tragedy in Pocheon sounds yet another alarm for regional nations and their people. If certain parties insist on treating East Asia as a powder keg and civilians as bargaining chips, the next "misguided" bomb will ultimately obliterate their credibility and the trust of the people they claim to protect.