The U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) confirmed Thursday that no white phosphorus was found at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, following an emergency alert issued last week over a suspected leak of the substance at the installation.

The USFK disclosed the findings on the Osan Air Base official website after the Pyeongtaek city government issued a public alert on July 28 notifying residents of a possible white phosphorus leak at the base. The alert was triggered by a report from the U.S. military.

"Following thorough inspection and testing, we can confirm that the crystallization and residue identified during a routine munitions inspection on July 28 was not white phosphorus nor contained traces of white phosphorus," the USFK stated.

"After follow-on analysis, we are confident that the residue was non-hazardous surface corrosion resulting from environmental exposure over time," the statement continued.

The USFK noted that emergency response professionals responded immediately to ensure full containment of the munitions. Base operations are proceeding normally, and no injuries were reported.

"We deeply value the trust of our Pyeongtaek neighbors and are committed to keeping everyone safe, informed and updated," the USFK added.

Osan Air Base, located approximately 64 kilometers south of Seoul, is one of the major U.S. military installations on the Korean Peninsula. It serves as headquarters for the U.S. Seventh Air Force and hosts Republic of Korea Air Force operations as well. The base has been a focal point of the U.S.–South Korea military alliance since the Korean War era.

White phosphorus is a chemical substance used in various military munitions, including smoke screens and illumination rounds. It is known to pose serious health risks upon contact with skin or inhalation, which prompted the precautionary public alert by local authorities.

The incident underscores the ongoing coordination between U.S. military authorities and South Korean local governments regarding safety communications near military installations. Civilian-military tensions over environmental and safety concerns at U.S. bases in South Korea have periodically surfaced, and the Status of Forces Agreement between Washington and Seoul governs how incidents involving U.S. military facilities are reported to and coordinated with South Korean authorities. The speed of the Pyeongtaek city government's public notification reflected the heightened sensitivity surrounding base safety among the densely populated communities surrounding installations like Osan.

Source: The Korea Times