South Korean officials briefly ordered evacuations near Osan Air Base after a suspected white phosphorus release was detected at about 5 p.m. Residents were advised to move to safer locations and avoid skin exposure; the evacuation was lifted after decontamination. Police set a 300–500 meter perimeter while the U.S. 51st Fighter Wing established a 1,000-foot (300-meter) safety cordon and said reports of a full base evacuation were inaccurate. No major injuries or disruptions were reported, and U.S. Forces Korea did not provide further comment.
Brief Evacuations Near Osan Air Base After Suspected White Phosphorus Release
FILE - Air Force One with U.S. President Joe Biden arrives at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, Friday, May 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man, file)
South Korean authorities briefly ordered nearby residents to evacuate Tuesday after reports of a suspected white phosphorus release at Osan Air Base, a U.S. installation south of Seoul.
City officials in Pyeongtaek issued text alerts just after signs of a leak were detected at about 5 p.m., urging residents near the base to move to safer locations and to avoid skin exposure. Authorities later lifted the evacuation order several hours after decontamination crews reported the area safe.
Local police established a security perimeter using vehicles, blocking pedestrians and rerouting traffic roughly 300 to 500 meters from the base. Officials reported no immediate major disruptions, accidents, or injuries linked to the incident.
In a separate statement, the U.S. 51st Fighter Wing did not explicitly confirm a white phosphorus leak but said it set a 1,000-foot (about 300-meter) safety cordon "due to a ground mishap and out of an abundance of caution" to protect service members and the surrounding community. The unit also said reports of a full evacuation of the air base were inaccurate.
"We are handling this matter with the utmost care and expediency," the 51st Fighter Wing said. "The safety and well-being of our service members, their families, and our Pyeongtaek neighbors remain our absolute highest priority."
U.S. Forces Korea declined to provide further comment on the episode.
About White Phosphorus
White phosphorus is used in some incendiary munitions and smoke rounds. When it ignites, it can burn at extremely high temperatures, ignite structures, and cause deep, severe burns to human tissue. Because of these hazards, any suspected release typically prompts immediate containment, evacuation, and decontamination procedures.
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