The U.S. military announced Thursday that investigations have confirmed no white phosphorus leak occurred at its Osan Air Base in South Korea. The statement follows concerns raised by local authorities who had advised residents to evacuate due to a suspected leak.
On July 28, the Pyeongtaek city government issued text messages advising residents to seek safe locations and avoid skin contact, citing a potential white phosphorus leak at the base, which is located south of Seoul. White phosphorus is a chemical used in munitions that can cause severe burns and fires when ignited.
City officials later lifted the evacuation alert after the U.S. military reported that decontamination work was completed. They stated that the initial alerts were issued in coordination with the U.S. military and South Korean police and emergency services.
The U.S. military confirmed that residue identified during a routine munitions inspection was not white phosphorus and did not contain any traces of the substance. According to the military, subsequent analysis determined the residue to be non-hazardous surface corrosion resulting from environmental exposure over time. No injuries were reported.
"We appreciate the city’s close partnership in keeping our community safe, and we thank everyone for their patience as our team worked to resolve this situation," stated Col. Ryan Ley, commander of the 51st Fighter Wing.
The U.S. maintains approximately 28,500 troops in South Korea as a deterrent against North Korea. The presence of U.S. military forces in the country has been a sensitive issue, occasionally contributing to anti-American sentiments, particularly in light of past incidents involving service members and historical events.