The Seoul metropolitan government has reported 17 cases linked to bedbugs, raising concerns about their rapid proliferation in the densely populated capital with 9.4 million residents.

To combat the infestation, the city has allocated a budget of 500 million won (US$381,000) for citywide initiatives, particularly in areas with poor sanitation conditions. These efforts include providing residents in affected neighborhoods with a self-checklist to educate themselves about bedbugs and offering disinfectant.

Recently, health officials discovered bedbugs in a goshiwon, a short-term budget accommodation facility, in a less affluent area in the city's central Jung-gu district. Bedbugs were found on the mattresses and wallpaper of the goshiwon.

A private disinfection service company reported receiving two to three calls daily related to bedbugs. In the past month, the company conducted cleaning services in approximately 80 areas in the city, indicating that the infestation has likely spread to a wider area than initially anticipated.

The city has established a bedbug report center for residents to promptly notify authorities of bedbug sightings via public health centers or the city's dedicated 120 Dasan public call service number. Reports can also be submitted through a special section on the city's website.

Once reports are received, the city's ward offices will dispatch officials to inspect the reported locations and ensure compliance with relevant regulations, implementing necessary insect prevention measures.

Seoul is currently conducting rigorous hygiene inspections of public facilities prone to bedbug infestations, such as hotels, other types of accommodations, public bathhouses, and Korean public saunas known as jjimjilbang. In collaboration with ward offices, the city has been inspecting 3,175 such public facilities since late October, evaluating bedding maintenance and facility disinfection conditions. These inspections will continue through the end of the year.