Samcheok City Ramps Up Efforts to Contain Additional Pine Wilt Disease Outbreaks... Strengthens Management of Restricted Zones

Samcheok City Launches Emergency Control Measures in Dogyeong-dong and Deungbong-dong

Samcheok City in Gangwon Province announced on January 8 that it will strengthen emergency control measures and movement restrictions to prevent the spread of damage after nine additional pine trees infected with pine wilt disease were confirmed in November and December 2025.

Samcheok City Hall exterior view.

The newly confirmed infected trees were found across four plots in the areas of Dogyeong-dong and Deungbong-dong. During monitoring activities, both Samcheok City and the Samcheok National Forest Management Office identified trees suspected of infection, collected samples, and requested detailed inspections, which ultimately confirmed pine wilt disease infection.

Samcheok City has made blocking the spread of damage its top priority, considering that the infected areas are adjacent to previous outbreak sites and are located near roads, villages, and railway facilities. Accordingly, all nine infected trees will be felled and shredded, and the stumps will be treated with fumigation.

In addition, clear-cutting will be carried out within a 30-meter radius around the infected trees, and preventive tree injections will be administered in the 30 to 60-meter zone. Preventive injections will also be expanded to areas outside the outbreak sites to proactively respond to the possibility of widespread infection.

To prevent the spread of pine wilt disease, management of restricted zones will be further strengthened. Currently, a total of 5,280 hectares, including the areas of Gyodong, Seongnae-dong, Naemiro-ri, and Sadun-ri, have been designated as restricted zones, where the movement of standing and felled pine trees is strictly limited.

In particular, under the Special Act on the Control of Pine Wilt Disease, unauthorized movement of infected or potentially infected trees, as well as the damage or removal of fumigated wood, is prohibited. Violations may result in imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million won, so special caution is required.

A Samcheok City official stated, "Early detection and prompt control are crucial in combating pine wilt disease," and urged, "We ask all citizens to strictly comply with movement restrictions for pine trees within the restricted zones and to report immediately if you discover dead trees or trees suspected of infection."