[Exclusive] Half of Seoul's Bedbugs Found in 'Gosiwon and Jjokbangchon'... No Control Measures, Spread Unchecked

62 Cases of Bedbug Infestation, 30 in Goshiwon
"Bedbugs Appear Everywhere, Disparities in Pest Control Are the Issue"

More than half of the bedbug cases recently confirmed in Seoul have occurred in low-income residential areas such as gosiwon and jjokbangchon. As bedbugs are concentrated in low-income areas lacking pest control capabilities, health authorities are concerned that without focused pest control efforts in these areas, bedbugs could spread uncontrollably throughout Seoul.

A promotional poster about bedbugs is posted in the Yeongdeungpo jjokbang village in Seoul. Photo by Yongjun Cho jun21@

According to data obtained by Asia Economy on the 21st, 62 cases of bedbug infestations were confirmed in Seoul from September to the 16th of this month. Among these, 33 cases (53.2%) occurred in gosiwon and jjokbangchon. Specifically, there were 30 cases in gosiwon, 3 in jjokbangchon, 20 in private homes, 2 in bathhouses, 1 in lodging facilities, 1 in dormitories, and 5 in other locations. Gosiwon and jjokbangchon have poor living conditions and are home to vulnerable low-income groups.

Residents of gosiwon and jjokbangchon complain that they lack the ability to control bedbugs. On the afternoon of the same day, Kim (63, male), whom we met in the jjokbangchon of Dongja-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, was holding an insecticide spray. Kim said, "I have been living here for two days, and I think I have been bitten by bedbugs," adding, "I don't have money to call a pest control company, so I bought insecticide and am on my way to use it." He also said, "Although insecticides are said to be ineffective, since I can't afford a pest control company, I plan to spray insecticide around the floor mats and blankets first." Another resident, Kang (69, male), said, "I heard that bedbugs appeared somewhere around here," and added, "Even if they come out in my house, there is nothing I can do."

The bedbugs currently spreading are imported from overseas and thus are not directly related to the hygiene issues of low-income residential areas. The problem is that the cost of bedbug control is much higher than that for other pests. The cost for bedbug pest control by private companies for a one-room unit is about 100,000 to 200,000 KRW per treatment. Since 2 to 3 treatments are usually required once bedbugs appear, the actual cost can reach 300,000 to 500,000 KRW. Yang Young-cheol, a professor in the Department of Health, Safety, and Environment at Eulji University, analyzed, "The bedbugs currently spreading are tropical Cimex hemipterus. In gosiwon, many foreign workers stay and leave, which seems to cause bedbug infestations." He added, "Bedbugs do not discriminate by wealth and can appear anywhere, but those with economic means can quickly control infestations by discarding affected households, whereas jjokbangchon and gosiwon residents cannot do so, which is the problem."

Given this situation, Seoul City recently urgently allocated a budget of 500 million KRW to strengthen bedbug prevention and control in jjokbangchon and gosiwon. They also produced and distributed self-inspection checklists so residents can check for bedbug presence themselves, provide pest control support when bedbugs are found, and plan to manage the situation through a reporting center thereafter.

Experts suggest that as COVID-19 subsides and international travel increases, imported bedbug cases are expected to rise further, so local governments should strengthen their pest control policies. Professor Yang said, "For local governments with many jjokbangchon or gosiwon, measures such as providing more pest control subsidies should be considered." Choi Eun-young, director of the Korea Urban Research Institute, said, "If health authorities do not intervene quickly, bedbugs could spread uncontrollably, so active intervention without budget constraints is necessary."