Pesticide Residue Levels in Jeju Golf Courses Deemed 'Safe'

Analysis of 377 Samples from 40 Golf Courses
No Pesticide Residues Detected... No Groundwater Contamination Found

Jeju Jungmun Golf Course Coastal Course. Photo by Park Changwon

All golf courses in Jeju Special Self-Governing Province were found to be in compliance with safety standards in a pesticide residue survey conducted by the Jeju Institute of Health and Environment for the first half of 2025.

The institute conducted a detailed analysis of 377 samples?including 240 soil samples, 108 water samples, and 29 groundwater samples?from 40 golf courses in the province, testing for residues of 29 types of pesticides. No pesticides prohibited for use on turf were detected.

Seven types of pesticides, including azoxystrobin, were detected in some samples. However, all of these are fungicides approved for use on golf courses under the Pesticide Control Act and were appropriately managed within safe usage standards. The pesticides detected this time were also found in last year’s survey and were all used within the legal limits.

Additional groundwater samples were collected near the golf courses to check for potential pesticide contamination. No pesticides were detected in these samples, confirming that there is no groundwater pollution caused by pesticides.

The pesticide residue tests are conducted twice a year?during the dry season (April to June) and the rainy season (July to September)?in accordance with the Ministry of Environment’s regulations on "Investigation of Pesticide Use and Methods for Testing Pesticide Residues in Golf Courses," to verify compliance with golf course pesticide safety standards.

The pesticide residue survey for the second half of this year is currently underway, with sample collection and analysis in progress since the end of July. This timing takes into account the increased use of pesticides for turf and tree growth and pest control during the hot and humid summer months. The results of the tests are made publicly available on the Jeju Provincial Government website and the Institute of Health and Environment’s website, allowing anyone to access the information.

On August 11, Kim Eonju, Director of the Institute of Health and Environment, stated, "We will continue to conduct thorough and ongoing inspections of golf courses in the province to ensure that both residents and tourists can use them with peace of mind."

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