The Republic of Korea has elevated its African swine fever (ASF) alert to the highest level this week after confirming its sixth outbreak of 2025. The move comes as quarantine authorities implement nationwide restrictions to contain the highly contagious animal disease threatening the country's pork industry.
Authorities confirmed the latest case at a Dangjin farm in South Chungcheong province, marking the first detection in two months since a previous outbreak in Yeoncheon county. The 'serious' alert level triggers a 48-hour lockdown of all personnel and vehicles at pig farms, slaughterhouses, and feed mills across the country.
Emergency protocols now include mass culling of affected herds, intensified disinfection campaigns, and mandatory epidemiological investigations. All farms with potential exposure will undergo two rounds of inspections within seven days, followed by weekly checks until movement restrictions are lifted.
This year's repeated ASF occurrences have put South Korea's $6 billion pork industry under renewed strain, with authorities scrambling to protect the nation's 6,300 pig farms. The disease poses no human health risk but carries near-100% mortality rates in swine populations.
