Seoul: A brief evacuation alert was issued in Pyeongtaek, home to the U.S. Forces Korea, after a report of a minor leak of white phosphorus at the U.S. base. Officials stated that the incident posed a low risk to public safety.
According to Yonhap News Agency, police and fire authorities received a report from the U.S. military at around 5:07 p.m. regarding the leak of the toxic chemical at the K-55 U.S. Osan Air Base, located approximately 60 kilometers south of Seoul. The Pyeongtaek city government quickly issued an alert advising nearby residents to evacuate to prevent skin exposure to the substance.
White phosphorus is highly toxic and can cause severe burns upon contact with human tissue. Despite its military use being tightly regulated and often discouraged, the leak came from two munitions. However, the exact amount released remains unconfirmed, and no casualties have been reported.
The U.S. military informed the city that the leaked substance had been roughly 80 percent diluted, posing a low risk to public health and the environment. Consequently, Pyeongtaek authorities lifted the evacuation advisory approximately 36 minutes after it was issued, allowing residents to return to normal activities after the necessary safety measures were implemented.
The U.S. military confirmed that a "ground mishap" had occurred, leading to the area being cordoned off to ensure the safety of the base and local residents. The U.S. 51st Fighter Wing stated that emergency response teams were managing the situation with care and speed, and refuted claims of a general evacuation at Osan Air Base.
Authorities dispatched firefighters and equipment to the scene, coordinating with the U.S. military to address the incident. Police established a cordon with patrol vehicles 300 to 500 meters from the base as a precaution, restricting civilian access and rerouting traffic.
A police official clarified that the chemical, used for cleaning warheads, leaked within the K-55 munition depot but assured that the situation was under control and posed no danger. A U.S. military explosive ordnance disposal team, alongside local firefighters, responded promptly, and operations are now largely complete.