After Paris, France, a stink bug infestation is now sweeping across South Korea. The government has been working hard to detect and eradicate the stink bugs for the past two weeks by conducting massive disinfection of public facilities and public transportation. On Tuesday, November 7, 2023, the government announced a four-week campaign against the stink bugs.
The fear among South Korean citizens began to spread after more than 30 confirmed or suspected stink bug reports were filed across the country, according to the government’s joint response headquarters last Wednesday. The first reports emerged in September after students at Keimyung University in Daegu, about 240 km from the capital city Seoul, were bitten by these insects in their dormitories. According to The Independent, the government’s campaign plan includes inspections of vulnerable facilities from November 13 to December 8, including bathhouses, dormitories, and public transportation.
South Korea had been basically free from this insect problem since the 1970s, when the government applied insecticides nationwide. The current Korean population is still unfamiliar with stink bugs and does not know exactly what they look like. Only nine cases of stink bug appearances have been reported to health authorities in the 10 years since 2014, according to the Yonhap news agency, citing the Ministry of Disease Control and Prevention report.
The Korea Airports Corporation announced steps at 14 national airports to prevent stink bugs. They plan to increase the number of inspections in vulnerable areas, such as airport baggage inspection areas, terminal waiting areas, and children’s play areas, from once a week to twice a week. If stink bugs are found, the area will be isolated, adult bugs and their larvae will be removed, and physical and chemical control will be carried out, according to Yonhap.
The hotel industry in South Korea is also increasing its vigilance by distributing mosquito repellent and providing training for staff. Lotte Hotels and Resorts, a branch of Lotte Corp, said they have not found any stink bug attacks, but have issued guidelines for all branches and plan to disinfect beds, mattresses, carpets, and sofas on their properties. “We are trying to take preventive action,” a Lotte Hotel official told Reuters.
Previous stink bug infestations hit Paris. The infestation spread to various places in Paris, including public transportation, hotels, cinemas, and hospitals.