On January 23, 2026, African Swine Fever (ASF) was confirmed at a pig farm in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province, leading to strengthened quarantine measures across South Korea. This is the second ASF case reported this year, and notably, Anseong had no prior history of ASF in farms or wild boars. The infection was detected after the farm manager reported pig deaths, which were subsequently confirmed as ASF through detailed testing. In response, the Central Accident Management Headquarters (CAMH) convened an emergency meeting with relevant ministries and local governments to review the situation and countermeasures.
CAMH immediately dispatched initial quarantine and epidemiological teams to the site, restricting access to the farm and culling all 2,600 pigs to prevent further spread. From 6 PM on January 23, a 48-hour standstill order was issued for workers and vehicles at livestock facilities in Anseong and six neighboring cities and counties. Sixty disinfection vehicles were mobilized to thoroughly sanitize 638 pig farms and surrounding roads, while a central mobile quarantine team was sent to oversee culling and disposal operations. Emergency inspections are underway at 38 farms within a 10km radius and 49 epidemiologically linked farms.
The national alert level for ASF has been raised to ‘severe,’ and clinical and detailed inspections at 226 related farms are to be completed within seven days. In Gyeonggi Province, every movement of pigs requires clinical and detailed checks, and the Livestock Hygiene and Quarantine Support Headquarters conducts daily phone monitoring of high-risk farms. ASF status updates and quarantine guidelines are being widely promoted to all pig farms nationwide. Jeonghun Park, Director of Food Policy, emphasized the need for heightened vigilance in Anseong, a region densely populated with pig farms, and urged all stakeholders to maintain strict biosecurity.
The culling of 2,600 pigs represents less than 0.02% of the national herd, so the impact on domestic pork supply is expected to be minimal. CAMH will continue to closely monitor supply and take swift action to prevent further outbreaks. Authorities are intensifying inspections of major roads and farm entrances and strengthening guidance and publicity to ensure immediate reporting of suspicious symptoms. Ongoing robust quarantine measures and rapid response are expected to play a crucial role in containing ASF.
This ASF outbreak highlights the effectiveness of South Korea’s rapid response and multi-agency collaboration in managing animal disease crises. The implementation of standstill orders, mass disinfection, and comprehensive inspections demonstrates a scientific and systematic approach to disease containment. Continued data-driven epidemiological investigations and real-time monitoring, combined with proactive communication with farms, are essential for future disease management. The limited impact on pork supply also helps maintain consumer confidence and market stability.