Recent outbreaks of African Swine Fever (ASF) have raised alarms in South Korea, particularly in the cities of Pocheon and Hwaseong. ASF was first confirmed on June 6 at a pig farm in Pocheon housing 8,800 pigs, located close to a previously affected farm. Following the initial confirmation, additional cases were identified the next day, increasing the urgency for local biosecurity measures. The authorities are closely monitoring the region and have already begun culling pigs and restricting access to the affected farms to prevent further spread of the disease.

In response to the outbreaks, the Central African Swine Fever Response Headquarters and local governments have deployed rapid response teams and epidemiologists to assess the movement and contact patterns of the pigs and farm vehicles in the area. Local pig farms are being reminded of biosecurity protocols to avoid further outbreaks. In Pocheon, access control has been reinforced through checkpoints, and 8,520 pigs have been culled as part of the emergency measures.

On June 7, just a day after the Pocheon outbreak, another case of ASF was confirmed at a pig farm in Hwaseong, which previously belonged to an owner connected to a farm with past ASF cases. Authorities have enforced a temporary movement ban on farms and slaughterhouses within the surrounding cities (Ansan, Suwon, Yongin, Osan, and Pyeongtaek) to combat the spread. ASF is a serious viral disease affecting pigs, and the recent cases contribute to a total of nine outbreaks reported this year in various regions, highlighting ongoing concerns for the agricultural sector in South Korea.