A Republic of Korea Air Force F-16 fighter jet crashed in a mountainous area near Yeongju during a routine training exercise, officials confirmed.

According to foreign media reports, the aircraft, identified as an F-16 Fighting Falcon, went down while participating in military drills. The pilot successfully ejected from the jet before impact and survived the crash. Authorities said there were no immediate reports of injuries to civilians or damage to nearby property.

The crash sparked a fire in a nearby forest after the aircraft hit the ground. However, officials stated that the risk of the blaze spreading remains low and firefighting teams are working to extinguish it quickly.

The South Korean Air Force has formed an investigation committee led by the Vice Chief of Staff to determine the cause of the accident. Technical experts are expected to examine flight data and wreckage to identify whether mechanical failure, human error or other factors were involved.

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Notably, this marks the second crash involving a US-made F-16 within 24 hours. Earlier, an F-16 operated by the Turkish Air Force went down near a highway in western Türkiye. In that incident, the pilot, Major Ibrahim Bolat, lost his life.

The back-to-back incidents have raised concerns over operational safety, though officials in both countries have launched separate investigations.