White Phosphorus Leak Reported at US Military Base in Pyeongtaek Triggers Temporary Evacuation of Nearby Residents (Comprehensive)

Fire Authorities Dispatched to the Scene... Patrol Cars Deployed
Pyeongtaek City Instructs Nearby Residents to Evacuate
"Chemical Used to Clean Warheads Leaked... Situation Contained"

At around 5:00 p.m. on July 28, an evacuation order was issued for residents following a report of a white phosphorus leak at the US Forces Korea base in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, but the order was lifted after about 30 minutes.

U.S. Air Force Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province. Yonhap News Agency

At approximately 5:07 p.m. that day, a report was received about a white phosphorus leak at Osan Air Base (K-55), a US military facility located in Seotan-myeon, Pyeongtaek. US military officials reported to emergency services (police and fire department) that a chemical leak was suspected from a warhead.

At the time, white phosphorus was leaking from two white phosphorus warheads, but the actual amount of the chemical released has not been confirmed. No casualties have been reported as of now. The US military told Pyeongtaek city officials that the leaked white phosphorus had been diluted by about 80% in advance, greatly reducing the risk to human health and the surrounding environment.

White phosphorus is used as a filling agent in artillery smoke shells and has incendiary effects (a type of ignition effect). It is considered extremely dangerous as it can burn through human skin until combustion is complete; therefore, the international community recommends a ban on its use.

The fire authorities dispatched nine vehicles and 31 personnel to the site and worked with the US military to respond. Police placed patrol cars 300–500 meters away from the base as a precaution, blocking civilian access and guiding traffic detours.

Immediately after news of the white phosphorus leak spread, Pyeongtaek city sent an emergency alert to residents in the vicinity at 5:37 p.m., instructing them to evacuate. The evacuation order was lifted 36 minutes later, at 6:13 p.m., via a follow-up message.

A police official explained, "A chemical used to clean warheads inside the K-55 ammunition depot was leaked, but the situation has since been contained and there is no longer any danger, according to US military officials." The official added, "US military Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams and fire authorities were dispatched to the scene, and most of the recovery work has now been completed."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.