Installation of Dedicated X-ray for Agricultural and Livestock Quarantine at Incheon Airport Arrival Hall

"Strengthening Border Quarantine to Prevent Overseas Livestock Epidemics and Invasive Diseases and Pests"

Quarantine-dedicated X-ray installed at Incheon International Airport. (Photo by Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Incheon Airport Regional Office)

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The government announced that it has installed dedicated X-ray machines for agricultural and livestock quarantine at Incheon International Airport amid the rapid spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

The Incheon Airport Regional Headquarters of the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency announced on the 6th that it has completed the installation of dedicated X-ray machines for agricultural and livestock quarantine at all exits of the arrival halls of Terminals 1 and 2 at Incheon Airport. A headquarters official explained, "This will effectively block the domestic inflow of prohibited agricultural and livestock products carried by travelers upon entry."

As the types of agricultural and livestock products being brought into the country and attempts at smuggling have diversified, the need to strengthen inspections has also increased. In particular, with the global outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF), a major risk factor for domestic livestock farming, the government has accelerated the introduction of dedicated X-ray machines for agricultural and livestock quarantine. After first introducing quarantine-dedicated X-ray machines when Terminal 2 opened in 2018, the number has gradually increased, and now they have been installed at all exits. Additionally, an integrated control system has been established to prepare for emergency responses such as X-ray malfunctions.

Jung Hyeryeon, head of the headquarters, said, "We hope that by actively utilizing the dedicated quarantine X-ray machines, we can sound the alarm against travelers bringing in prohibited agricultural and livestock products and help protect domestic agriculture and livestock from overseas animal infectious diseases and exotic pests and diseases."