“As the global community is gathering in Paris, France, on the occasion of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, there’s a chance bedbugs will enter the country following the event,” a government press release said.
“Therefore, we are taking a preemptive response to intercept the entry through the Incheon international airport, which is the main gateway to the country.”
Ceco and his team were deployed on Friday (Aug 9) as more athletes and officials started arriving from Paris, and will continue to work through to Sep 8, the government said.
South Korea sent 144 athletes to the Olympics in Paris, which ended on Sunday.
Flights arriving directly from Paris are being disinfected once a week compared to a rate of once a month normally, and the airport quarantine service is being prepared to swing into action if an outbreak is detected in an aircraft or the airport.
South Korea also went through a period of national hysteria in 2023 after reports of suspected infestations at micro-apartments, motel rooms and a traditional spa called a “jjimjilbang”, and conducted a widespread disinfection campaign.
