"Is This Really Seoul?" Shock as Rats Invade Downtown... Numbers Keep Rising

"Climate Change" Cited as Key Cause of Rat Infestations
Severe Public Health Risks Highlight Need for Prevention

Reports of rat sightings continue to emerge from various parts of downtown Seoul. One of the main causes behind the increased rat activity is believed to be climate change.

Rat found in downtown Seoul. Photo captured from X (formerly Twitter)

According to the districts of Gangnam and Gangdong in Seoul on August 24, there has been a recent surge in reports of rat sightings on the local government complaint boards. Just like New York and Paris, which have been struggling with rat infestations, rats are now being spotted in public facilities across downtown Seoul, including subway stations and bus stops. Local governments have responded urgently by installing smart rat traps and strengthening pest control measures.

Experts have identified climate change as the fundamental cause of the rise in rat populations. They explain that higher temperatures have led to increased winter survival rates for rats and extended their breeding season. Because winters are no longer as cold, rats either hibernate for shorter periods or remain active and continue to reproduce throughout the season. In fact, during the fall of last year (September to November), the nationwide average temperature was 16.8 degrees Celsius, 2.7 degrees higher than usual.

Another reason cited is the frequent occurrence of localized heavy downpours this summer. Flooded sewer systems have forced rats to leave their habitats and move above ground, expanding their range of activity. When their habitats are no longer safe, rats that previously stayed hidden venture into areas frequented by people. Repeated localized heavy rain has caused frequent sewer flooding, leading rats to continually seek refuge elsewhere, which has made them even more visible to the public.

Additionally, effective pest control has proven difficult. In urban areas, the absence of natural predators makes it hard to control the rat population naturally. When public health centers set out rat poison, some residents protest, causing delays in pest control efforts.

The increase in the rat population poses a public health threat. Rats are known carriers of deadly diseases such as hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and leptospirosis. Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, which is transmitted through rat urine or secretions, can cause high fever and kidney failure, and has a reported fatality rate of up to 15%. Leptospirosis also causes fever and muscle pain, and can be fatal if it progresses to a severe stage. Since there are no vaccines for either disease, prevention is of utmost importance.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has urged citizens who spot rats or signs of rat activity to report them to their local district office or public health center.

Meanwhile, the increase in rat populations is becoming an international phenomenon. According to the journal Science Advances, out of 16 cities in countries such as the United States and Japan, 13 have seen a rise in rat numbers. Notably, Washington, D.C. has reported a fourfold increase in its rat population over the past decade.