Recently, media reports highlighted prolonged immigration times for large cruise passengers at Busan Port. Due to security checkpoint equipment failures and staff shortages, only 7 out of 11 checkpoints were operational, causing departures to take 2 to 3 hours. In response, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries stated it is making every effort to shorten immigration times for cruise tourists. Busan Port uses an \”onboard security screening\” method, allowing boarding for 5,000 passengers to be completed in about 1 hour and 30 minutes. This timeframe is similar to major cruise terminals in Japan and China.
Currently, Busan Port\’s North Port and Yeongdo cruise terminals are equipped with a total of 11 security checkpoints. The Ministry ensures all checkpoints operate normally through a constant maintenance system. To proactively address the increase in cruises from China, 15 new security officers were added last November, bringing the total dedicated staff to 66. These enhancements in personnel and equipment facilitate smoother immigration procedures for tourists. The government plans to continue managing and improving these processes.
Meanwhile, it was reported that toothpaste from Aekyung Industrial contained the banned ingredient triclosan and was sold domestically for the past three years. Although last year\’s MFDS inspection did not detect the substance, recent company tests found up to 0.15%, prompting calls for re-examination. Triclosan is an antibacterial agent used in hand sanitizers, toothpaste, and other products, but its excessive use can be harmful to humans, leading to restrictions in Korea since 2016. The MFDS is currently inspecting six imported 2080 toothpaste products and has announced strict administrative measures for any legal violations.
The government plans to thoroughly inspect toothpaste safety and strengthen the management of quasi-drugs to ensure public reassurance. Investigations into how triclosan was mixed and strict quality control of imported products are underway. While some countries still allow limited use of triclosan, Korea has proactively regulated it. Moving forward, the government will continue to improve related policies, provide prompt information, and maintain transparent responses to protect public health.