Geochang County Governor Lee Honggi Inspects Pine Wilt Disease Site, Orders Early Control

Two infected trees confirmed in Dongnye-ri, Gajo-myeon; measures underway to prevent further spread
Small-area clear-cutting to proceed after securing landowner consent; surveillance of surrounding forests to be strengthened

Geochang County Governor Lee Hong-gi visited the site in Dongnye-ri, Gajo-myeon, where pine wilt disease was newly confirmed, to inspect the infection and call for prompt control measures to prevent further spread.

Geochang County, South Gyeongsang Province, announced on November 13 that it had begun site inspections and preparations for control measures after two trees infected with pine wilt disease were confirmed in the area around San 118, Dongnye-ri, Gajo-myeon.

[Photo provided by Geochang County] Geochang County Mayor Lee Hong-gi visits the site of a newly detected pine wilt disease outbreak in Dongnye-ri, Gajo-myeon, checks infected trees and the condition of the surrounding forest, and instructs relevant officials to promptly carry out control measures.

According to the county, a tree suspected of infection was found during a forest surveillance patrol on October 29. Following microscopic examination by the South Gyeongsang Forest Environment Research Institute, two trees were finally confirmed as infected with pine wilt disease on November 9.

Governor Lee Hong-gi visited the site to check the locations of the infected trees, the condition of the surrounding forest, and the possibility of further damage, and emphasized to officials the importance of early control measures.

In particular, he instructed officials to strengthen surveillance in the affected area to prevent the disease from spreading to the area around the infected trees and to promptly complete the administrative procedures required for the control project.

Geochang County plans to work with local stakeholders, including the Gajo-myeon Administrative Welfare Center and village heads, to obtain consent from landowners in the areas targeted for control. Once the relevant procedures are complete, it will carry out a small-area clear-cutting project.

Small-area clear-cutting is a control method that removes infected trees along with trees in a designated area around them. It is intended to reduce potential sources of further damage that may remain near the infected trees.

The county plans to continue monitoring nearby forests alongside the control project and check for any additional infected trees as part of its efforts to prevent the disease from spreading.

“Early detection and prompt control of pine wilt disease are important ways to prevent its spread,” Governor Lee Hong-gi said. “We will work with local residents, including the Administrative Welfare Center and village heads, to take the necessary measures to prevent further spread.”

Meanwhile, Geochang County plans to remove infected trees and monitor surrounding forests in and around the newly affected area, while continuing to check the progress of control efforts.

To prevent further spread of pine wilt disease, it is important to promptly remove infected trees, continuously monitor nearby forests, and cooperate with landowners.

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