Soldiers Deployed to Cull Wild Boars to Contain African Swine Fever

With African swine fever spreading among wild boars near the demilitarized zone, soldiers will be sent to shoot and kill them to contain the outbreak.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced the measure on Sunday after four carcasses of wild boars discovered in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province and Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province tested positive for the virus over the weekend.

Starting Tuesday, soldiers will be tasked with culling all boars within a 300-km radius of the sites where the carcasses were found. Traps will be set up and drones with thermal sensors will be used to detect the movements of the wild animals.

Authorities also plan to offer bounties to civilians who capture or kill boars in the areas.