"Entered Korea With Cup Noodles, Fined 5 Million Won"...Warning of Fines Up to 10 Million Won

Quarantine Agency Tightens Border Inspections Before and After Lunar New Year

Recently, Taiwanese travelers have been sharing their experiences warning that they need to be careful about bringing food into Korea when entering the country.

Foreign nationals entering the country through Incheon International Airport. The photo is not directly related to the article.

On the 13th, Taiwan's China Times News Network reported that a Taiwanese national, identified as A, was fined 5 million won during a recent entry into Korea after being found carrying food products containing meat ingredients, warning that travelers should exercise caution.

A posted on social media that "on the 11th, while entering the country through Incheon International Airport, Taiwanese-style foods such as Danbingpi and Congyoubing were confiscated during the quarantine inspection," explaining that "this was because the products contained pork lard." A added, "The Taiwanese travelers in front of and behind me in line also had their Danbingpi confiscated, and one person was caught trying to bring in Misuegao," and "there were also people who had their Wei Li Zhajang cup noodles and Tongyi beef noodle flavor cup noodles confiscated." Danbing is a Taiwanese-style omelet, Congyoubing is a Taiwanese-style scallion pancake, and Misuegao is a rice cake made with pig's blood.

A acknowledged, "It was entirely my mistake," and urged fellow citizens to be cautious, stating, "Not only meat itself, but all meat-related products such as pork lard, pig's blood, and duck blood are prohibited from being brought in."

This comes as a measure following the Korean government's recent strengthening of border quarantine for animals and plants. The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, anticipating an increase in overseas travelers around the Lunar New Year holiday, launched an intensive crackdown on illegal imports of agricultural and livestock products starting on the 9th. The agency plans to further tighten animal and plant quarantine at airports and seaports for two weeks until the 22nd.

The agency is particularly stepping up inspections on flights and passenger ships departing from countries where illegal imports were frequent in the past or where many foreign workers arrive. Countries under enhanced monitoring include Vietnam, China, Mongolia, Thailand, Cambodia, and Nepal.

In particular, with recent cases of African swine fever (ASF) continuing to occur in places such as Dangjin in South Chungcheong Province, vigilance over the possibility of overseas introduction has been heightened. Accordingly, the authorities are strictly restricting the entry of meat and meat products in order to block the inflow of ASF. If pork or related products from ASF-affected countries are brought in without declaration and detected, a fine of 5 million won is imposed for the first violation. Failure to declare quarantine-targeted items can result in fines of up to 10 million won. Foreign nationals may face disadvantages such as being denied entry or having their stay restricted.