Local news broadcasts in South Korea have been showing videos of small, reddish-brown bedbugs crawling on clothes and hiding in cracks and crevices, sparking public phobia of the bugs. While bedbugs do not transmit disease, they can cause skin rashes, severe itchiness, and allergic symptoms, leading to economic and psychological damage. There have been at least 33 reports of bedbug infestations in South Korea over the past few weeks, compared to only nine reports over the past 10 years. The bugs are showing resistance to insecticides, making the matter worse. Singapore and Paris are also facing similar bedbug challenges. South Korean authorities are taking measures to control the pest, including hotline services for reports of infestations, sweeping inspections of facilities, and launching a pan-government task force. Business owners are under-reporting infestations for fear of negative impact on their business.