South Korean authorities issued a temporary evacuation order for civilians on Tuesday following a reported white phosphorus leak at a U.S. military installation near Seoul. The incident occurred at Osan Air Base in the city of Pyeongtaek, where officials first detected the leak at approximately 5 p.m.
Local authorities instructed nearby residents to relocate to safe areas and cautioned them to avoid skin exposure to the substance. To manage the situation, police established a security perimeter extending 300 to 500 meters from the base, utilizing vehicles to block pedestrian access and divert local traffic. City officials confirmed that the evacuation order was lifted several hours later after the base completed necessary decontamination procedures. There were no immediate reports of accidents or significant disruptions linked to the event.
In an official statement, the U.S. 51st Fighter Wing did not explicitly confirm a white phosphorus leak but acknowledged a 1,000-foot safety cordon was established. The command cited a "ground mishap" and stated the measure was taken out of an "abundance of caution" to protect both the base and the local community. U.S. Forces Korea did not provide further details regarding the incident but emphasized that they are handling the matter with care and expediency, noting that the safety of service members, their families, and Pyeongtaek neighbors remains their highest priority.
White phosphorus is a chemical substance frequently utilized in smoke shells and incendiary munitions. The material is known to be highly volatile, as it burns at extreme temperatures when ignited, capable of setting structures on fire and causing severe burns to human flesh.
