Key facts
- Pyeongtaek city officials were unable to reach the U.S. military via a hotline regarding a reported white phosphorus leak at Osan Air Base.
- The 51st Fighter Wing reported the possible leak on July 28, leading the city to issue an evacuation alert.
- The evacuation alert was lifted after an inspection determined there was no immediate danger.
- The U.S. military later stated the substance was non-hazardous surface corrosion.
- The U.S. military is investigating an interpreter's actions in reporting the incident.
Pyeongtaek city officials attempted multiple times to contact the U.S. military via a telephone hotline when a possible white phosphorus leak was reported at Osan Air Base last month, but their calls went unanswered. The 51st Fighter Wing, based in Pyeongtaek, reported the potential leak on July 28 during a routine inspection of a munitions crate. The city, located south of Seoul, tried three times to reach the U.S. air force unit to verify the report but could not connect. Based on advice from firefighting authorities, the city government issued an emergency evacuation alert for nearby residents due to the hazardous nature of white phosphorus. The advisory was lifted approximately 30 minutes later after an on-site inspection found no immediate danger. The 51st Fighter Wing later stated that the substance was not white phosphorus but "non-hazardous surface corrosion resulting from environmental exposure over time." The first successful communication with the U.S. military occurred around 5:51 p.m., about 20 minutes before the evacuation alert was rescinded. Col. Ryan Ley, commander of the 51st Fighter Wing, later spoke with the mayor of Pyeongtaek to explain the situation. Informed sources indicate the U.S. military is investigating an interpreter for the U.S. military police who initially reported the possible leak, to assess the appropriateness of their response.