Seoul to hot-steam subway seats as bedbug fear grows

Social Affairs

Published: 08 Nov. 2023, 18:36 Updated: 09 Nov. 2023, 10:01

Seoul to hot-steam subway seats as bedbug fear grows

A worker hot-steams fabric seats on a subway in Seoul as part of an effort to control bedbug infestations in the country. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has rolled out plans to combat bedbugs on public transportation as public fear of infestations grows.

At least 23 suspected cases were reported in Seoul as of Wednesday, up from 17 suspected cases reported as of Sunday.

According to the city government, fabric seats on subways will be regularly hot-steamed and disinfected.

Seoul Metro, the operator of the capital’s subways, said it will disinfect subway cars 30 times a year, up from the current nine times.

The city government said it began preparing for the bedbug threat after outbreaks were reported overseas.

Fabric seats will be replaced gradually with plastic ones to ensure that bedbugs do not linger.

The subway operator also announced that it will promptly respond to citizen reports, which can be easily made through its Seoul Subway mobile application or by calling 120.

Buses will also undergo regular monitoring and disinfection.

The city government has advised bus companies to conduct additional disinfections, including airport limousine buses.

Taxis, including international taxis for overseas tourists, will be disinfected more than twice daily, the city government said.

Meanwhile, city government officials and lawmakers convened on Wednesday to discuss the capital's war on bedbugs.

People Power Party (PPP) lawmaker Kim Yong-pan, a member of the National Assembly’s Public Administration and Security Committee, told reporters that at least 23 suspected cases of bedbugs had been reported in the city as of Wednesday.

However, he stressed that the government is responding keenly to the situation.

About 30 cases have been reported nationwide as of Monday, according to the joint national headquarters established to counter the bedbug menace.

Before the current invasion, bedbugs had been reported only nine times in the last decade, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

“Please do not be overly anxious, as the government and local authorities are aware of the seriousness and are responding effectively,” Kim said.

The government on Friday launched the joint headquarters to collect information on bedbug infestations from local governments. Some 10 ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, participate in the headquarters.

Seoul's city government also announced Friday that it will inspect 3,157 public facilities, including public bathhouses and accommodations, through early next year.

Additionally, a budget of 500 million won ($380,000) has been allocated to prevent bedbug outbreaks in vulnerable places such as gosiwon, which are cheap studio apartments for students.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]