South Korea ramps up pest control after reports of bedbugs

Lotte

08/11/2023 08:25

By Hyonhee Shin
       SEOUL, Nov 8 (Reuters) - South Korea is ramping up pest
control measures and inspections to prevent a spread of bedbugs
after reports of suspected infestations at some saunas and
residential facilities, officials said on Wednesday.
    The small, flat oval insects have caused a panic in France,
where reports of outbreaks on trains and in cinemas have raised
worries about the impact on tourism and the Paris Olympics,
which start in less than a year. Britain too has seen a jump in
enquiries about the pests.
    In South Korea, about 30 cases of suspected infestations
have been reported nationwide, including at a traditional Korean
spa called "jjimjilbang" in Incheon, west of Seoul, and a
college dorm in the southeastern city of Daegu, officials said. 
    The prime minister's office on Tuesday launched a four-week
campaign with inspections of public facilities and pest control
measures.
    "Public anxiety is inevitable as reports continue to come
in," Park Ku-yeon, first deputy chief of the Office for
Government Policy Coordination, who heads the team in change of
the campaign, told a meeting. 
    Park singled out small dorm rooms known as "gosiwon" and
single-room households as most vulnerable, calling for support
from district authorities.
    The wingless insects hide in mattresses and bedding and feed
on blood, typically biting at night.
    South Korea's hotel and tour industry is stepping up
vigilance with distribution of repellent and training for staff.
    Lotte Hotels and Resorts, a hospitality arm of Lotte Corp
 004990.KS , said it had not found any infestations but issued
guidelines to all branches and it plans to disinfect bedding,
mattresses, carpets and sofas. 
    "We're trying to take strong precautionary steps," a Lotte
Hotel official told Reuters. 
    Authorities in the capital, Seoul, said metro operators
would disinfect trains more frequently and gradually replace
fabric seats with plastic ones. 
    Drivers have to disinfect their taxis twice a day and
control measures are also being implemented on buses. 

 (Reporting by Hyonhee Shin; editing by Robert Birsel)
 ((hyonhee.shin@thomsonreuters.com;))