Brief alert issued after US military reports low-risk white phosphorus leak at air base

A brief evacuation alert was issued Tuesday in the regional city of Pyeongtaek, home to the U.S.

Forces Korea, following a report of a minor white phosphorus leak at the U.S. base that officials say posed a low risk.

Police and fire authorities said they received calls from the U.S. military at around 5:07 p.m. reporting the leak of the toxic chemical substance at the K-55 U.S.

Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, about 60 kilometers south of Seoul.

The Pyeongtaek city government issued the alert notifying the public of the possible white phosphorus leak and advising residents nearby to evacuate to a safe location to prevent skin exposure.

White phosphorus is an extremely toxic substance capable of burning human tissue down to the bone upon contact.

Its military use is tightly regulated and discouraged by the international community.

Officials said white phosphorus leaked from two munitions, although the exact amount released remains unconfirmed.

No casualties have been reported, they said.

The U.S. military reportedly informed the city that the leaked substance had been roughly 80 percent dilute ...