Lead

A brief evacuation alert was issued Tuesday in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, after a minor white phosphorus leak was reported at the U.S. Osan Air Base, according to Yonhap News. The alert was lifted about 36 minutes later after authorities determined the leak posed a low risk to public health and the surrounding environment. No casualties have been reported.

Coverage

Police and fire authorities said they received a call from the U.S. military at around 5:07 p.m. reporting the leak of the toxic chemical substance at the K-55 U.S. Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, approximately 60 kilometers south of Seoul. The Pyeongtaek city government issued an evacuation advisory, notifying residents of the possible leak and advising them to avoid skin exposure to white phosphorus, which can burn human tissue down to the bone upon contact.

The U.S. military reportedly informed the city that the leaked substance had been about 80 percent diluted and posed a low risk to public health. Officials said no casualties have been reported. The evacuation advisory was lifted about 36 minutes after it was issued, with authorities saying it was safe for residents to return after necessary measures were completed.

Police set up a cordon with patrol vehicles approximately 300 meters from the base and redirected civilian traffic as a precaution. Fire authorities also dispatched equipment to the scene and coordinated a response with local agencies.

Key Claims

  • A white phosphorus leak occurred at the U.S. Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, and was reported to authorities at around 5:07 p.m., according to Yonhap News.
  • The leaked substance was approximately 80 percent diluted)Skip
  • No casualties have been reported, according to officials.
  • The evacuation advisory was issued by the Pyeongtaek city government and lifted later the same day.
  • According to one report, the leak involved white phosphorus from two munitions, though the exact amount released was not confirmed.

Perspectives

U.S. military officials

The U.S. military described the incident as a contained situation. The 51st Fighter Wing said its experts found white phosphorus crystallization inside a munition depot and immediately cordoned off the area to protect the base and surrounding community. In a statement, the unit said there was no risk to personnel on or off the installation, and that normal operations had resumed. Wing commander Col. Ryan Ley said the safety of service members, their families, and Pyeongtaek neighbors was their absolute highest priority.

Pyeongtaek city government

Local authorities issued an evacuation advisory to residents near the base, advising them to move to safer locations to avoid potential skin exposure. The alert was lifted about 36 minutes later, with officials saying it was safe for residents to return to normal activity after the U.S. military reported the leaked substance was roughly 80 percent diluted and posed a low risk.