Administrative Action on Incheon Sauna with "Bedbug Infestation," "Temporary Suspension of Operations"

Incheon Seo-gu Issues Warning to the Sauna in Question

Amid a series of bedbug outbreaks in France recently, bedbugs have also been found in a sauna in Incheon, South Korea, prompting administrative authorities to take action.

Seo-gu, Incheon, announced on the 16th that during an inspection of a certain sauna business on the 13th, one live adult bedbug and one larva were found under the jjimjilbang mat, and the business was issued a warning. Authorities stated that if cleanliness issues persist in future inspections, penalties such as business suspension will be strengthened. However, Seo-gu explained that the sauna complied with the disinfection of bathing facilities and cleaning schedules of auxiliary facilities according to the Public Hygiene Control Act.

A bug suspected to be a bedbug found in a sauna in Incheon. [Image source: Screenshot from YouTube channel 'Dahguk']

The sauna operator decided to suspend jjimjilbang operations temporarily and conduct disinfection work together with the Seo-gu Health Center. The owner reportedly complained that bedbugs had appeared for about a month and that eradication was difficult despite ongoing measures. A company representative said, "We decided not to operate the jjimjilbang until the bugs are completely gone," adding, "We will identify the route of bedbug infiltration."

A Seo-gu official said, "There have been no cases of bedbugs found in public hygiene businesses in the district in recent years," and added, "We plan to inspect other businesses as well in light of this incident."

This inspection was conducted to verify facts after a YouTube video showing bedbugs found at this sauna became a hot topic. On the 11th, YouTuber 'Daheuk' reported discovering about eight bedbugs, including adults and larvae, while checking under the sauna mats and floor gaps.

Bedbugs mainly seek warm places at night and feed on blood. Although they do not transmit infectious diseases, their bites cause severe itching.

In South Korea, the bedbug population is known to have sharply declined due to the Saemaul Undong movement in the 1960s and the introduction of DDT insecticides in the 1970s. However, recently in France, bedbugs have been appearing repeatedly on trains and subways, causing several schools to close for disinfection, creating significant difficulties.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.