US air base in South Korea confirms ‘ground mishap’

Defense US air base in South Korea confirms ‘ground mishap’ Comments: by Ellen Mitchell - 07/28/26 10:39 AM ET Comments: Link copied by Ellen Mitchell - 07/28/26 10:39 AM ET Comments: Link copied

NOW PLAYING

A reported white phosphorus leak at a U.S. military base in South Korea prompted local authorities to briefly order civilians to evacuate on Tuesday.

Officials in Pyeongtaek, near the capital, Seoul, said residents close to Osan Air Base should move to a safe location after a leak was detected at around 5 p.m., an evacuation order that was lifted several hours later, The Associated Press reported.

In a statement released later Tuesday, the U.S. 51st Fighter Wing referred to the incident as “a ground mishap” that occurred at 5:08 p.m. but did not mention a white phosphorus leak.

It also denied reports of a general evacuation of Osan Air Base, calling them “incorrect,” but that “out of an abundance of caution,” the military installation established a 1,000-foot safety cordon to protect the base and local population.

“Our emergency response professionals are currently managing an isolated situation on the installation. We are handling this matter with the utmost care and expediency,” according to the 51st’s statement. “The safety and well-being of our service members, their families, and our Pyeongtaek neighbors remain our absolute highest priority.”

Local authorities, meanwhile, said in text messages to residents that decontamination work at the base had been completed.

White phosphorous is a waxlike chemical substance that ignites when encountering oxygen and is used in incendiary munitions and smoke shells. Human rights groups regularly criticize its use in warfare as it burns at extremely high temperatures that can cause severe toxic burns and easily set structures on fire. Exposure to white phosphorous also can cause short- and long-term respiratory damage.

Human rights groups have accused the Israeli military of repeatedly using white phosphorous in Lebanon in recent months.

Add as preferred source on Google Tags

Comments: Link copied