File pic of Air Force One at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, South Korea
The US military dismissed a widely suspected white phosphorus leak at Osan Air Base in South Korea, days after local authorities warned residents to evacuate over concerns about a possible leak.On July 28, the Pyeongtaek city government, which oversees the area around the US base south of Seoul, sent text alerts urging residents to move to safe places and avoid skin exposure. The city said white phosphorus had leaked at the base.The alert was later lifted after the US military said it had completed decontamination work. South Korean authorities said the warning had been issued after consultations with the US military, police and emergency officials.However, the US military said Thursday that its investigation found no white phosphorus at the base.According to the US military, crystallisation and residue found during a routine inspection of munitions on July 28 were initially identified as a possible concern. Follow-up analysis found that the material was non-hazardous surface corrosion caused by environmental exposure over time.The military said the residue was not white phosphorus and contained no traces of the substance. 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,” Col. Ryan Ley, commander of the 51st Fighter Wing, said, according to the statement, as quoted by Reuters.White phosphorus is used in some incendiary munitions and smoke shells. When ignited, it burns at extremely high temperatures and can cause severe burns.The incident was widely reported after South Korean authorities issued the evacuation warning, before the US military’s subsequent analysis ruled out the suspected leak.The US has about 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea as a deterrent against potential aggression from North Korea. The US military presence has long been a source of anti-American sentiment among some South Koreans, amid concerns over crimes involving US service members and the country’s complicated modern history with the US.Earlier this week, eight South Korean students were detained for allegedly entering the Osan base while shouting anti-US slogans.
