Suwon Strengthens Surveillance and Investigation to Prevent Spread of Pine Wilt Disease

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Suwon Special City announced on the 15th that it is conducting precision surveillance and investigation activities to prevent the spread of pine wilt disease.

On September 26, an infected pine tree was discovered at an apartment complex in Yeongdeung-gu. The infected tree (one specimen) is a landscaping tree planted before the completion of the apartment building. Leaves turned brown from early-to-mid August this year, and the tree was confirmed dead by early September. The National Institute of Forest Science was requested to conduct a detailed inspection, and a confirmed diagnosis was received.

The city, together with the Gyeonggi Province Forest Environment Research Institute, Suwon National Forest Management Office, Korea Forest Service Promotion Institute, and Yongin City, is conducting surveillance and investigation of areas within 5km radius of the infected tree and areas at risk of spread. Areas within 2km of the infected tree site have been designated as zones prohibiting removal of pine trees.

Using drones, the city monitors suspected infected trees, produces and analyzes footage to extract coordinates of dead trees. Based on drone surveillance results, samples are collected from all dead trees and examined microscopically. When conducting ground-level surveillance, information is registered and managed in a QR code history management system.

To strengthen the expertise and responsiveness of surveillance and investigation, the city conducted specialized on-site response training on the 14th for forest pest management personnel and surveillance staff at the conference room of Suwon City Parks and Greenery Project Office.

A city official stated, "We will actively cooperate with relevant agencies to prevent the spread of pine wilt disease."

※Report of suspected pine wilt disease infection: 1588-3249 (Korea Forest Service), 1899-3300 (Suwon City)

Inquiries: 031-5191-4587, Suwon City Green Space and Landscape Division