"I Saw a Rat" Gangnam Tops the List... Rat Sightings in Central Seoul Double in Citizen Complaints

Complaints About Rat Sightings Double in Three Years
From 1,043 Cases in 2021 to 2,181 Last Year

The number of citizen complaints in Seoul regarding rat sightings or rat appearances has doubled over the past three years.

According to data submitted by Assemblyman Kim Wisang of the People Power Party, a member of the National Assembly's Committee on Climate, Energy, Environment, and Labor, a total of 9,280 complaints about rat sightings or appearances were filed in Seoul from 2020 to July of this year.

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By year, there were 1,279 cases in 2020, 1,043 in 2021, 1,336 in 2022, 1,886 in 2023, and 2,181 in 2024, showing a steady increase. As of last year, the number of complaints had doubled compared to 2021. This year, as of July, 1,555 complaints have already been filed, which is 71% of the total number of complaints for last year, indicating that the upward trend continues. By district, Gangnam-gu, Mapo-gu, and Gwanak-gu recorded the highest number of rat-related complaints.

Assemblyman Kim stated, "The increase in rat appearances is emerging as an issue due to climate change," and added, "Since rats can be vectors for infectious diseases, it is necessary to establish an urban environmental management system that can proactively respond to this problem."

Meanwhile, the increase in rat populations has become a widespread phenomenon globally. According to the journal Science Advances, 13 out of 16 cities, including those in the United States and Japan, have seen an increase in rat populations. In particular, Washington D.C. in the United States has seen its rat population quadruple over the past 10 years.

The increase in rat populations can pose a public health threat. Rats are identified as major vectors for deadly diseases such as hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and leptospirosis. Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, transmitted through rat urine or secretions, can cause high fever and kidney failure, with a 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. Seoul citizens who discover rats or signs of rats are advised to report them to their local district office or public health center.