Lee Jae-myung: Yeoncheon ASF Quarantine Site Requires "Military-Level Operation" Airtight Blockade

[Suwon Ilbo=Park No-hun Reporter] Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung visited the African Swine Fever (ASF) quarantine site in Yeoncheon, a border area, on the 8th and stated that all-out efforts must be made to implement airtight blockade quarantine measures to prevent ASF recurrence.

On this day, Governor Lee Jae-myung toured the site where wild boar carcasses were previously found and the regional fence installation site aimed at preventing wild boar southward migration with Yeoncheon County Governor Kim Kwang-chul, inspecting the quarantine situation and encouraging related personnel.

At this occasion, the Governor stated, "Even if a single wild boar escapes, it can become a problem. We must make efforts to capture it at a level comparable to military operations regardless of method," and urged, "Please thoroughly install fences to prevent any gaps and make all-out efforts in surveillance, search, and capture activities."

Currently, there has been no ASF occurrence in farmed pigs since October 9 last year in the province, but wild boars have occurred 337 times centered around border areas since October last year to present: 238 cases in Yeoncheon, 97 cases in Paju, and 2 cases in Pocheon (as of May 7).
Particularly, from June to October is a period requiring thorough quarantine management as agricultural activities increase and wild boar movement and sightings become frequent.
Accordingly, the province has designated May 1 to October 31 as the 'African Swine Fever (ASF) Special Quarantine Measures Period' and is operating 24-hour situation rooms to receive reports and respond quickly.
First, northern region municipalities are designated as intensive quarantine management areas to completely block pig entry and exit north of the Han River, and the province is operating 28 disinfection hubs and 162 farm checkpoints throughout the region.
Furthermore, vehicle entry is principally prohibited at pig farms in northern regions, and fence installation to prevent wild boar intrusion has been completed for 260 farms. In addition, the province is promoting thorough disinfection during farming activities to 4,881 residents engaged in farming in the Civilian Control Zone.

Additionally, through the 'ASF Response Capture Unit' composed of hunters gathered from across the country, intensive gun capture is being promoted for 5 municipalities in buffer and demarcation zones including Yangju and Dongducheon, and the plan is to implement reinforced measures including reconfiguration of capture equipment for existing outbreak areas, intensive searches both inside and outside fences, etc.