Gyeonggi pine wilt infections up 67.8%, province sets up control task force
In short
Gyeonggi Province said infected pine wilt trees rose 67.8% in the year to May 2026, to 116,665, and it will run a dedicated task force from this month to strengthen control. About 90% of the damage is concentrated in five northeastern cities and counties, with Gapyeong and Yangpyeong classed as severe areas and Yangpyeong designated the province’s first special control zone in August. The province plans a five-year regional control strategy by the end of the year and joint work with Seoul, Gangwon and the Korea Forest Service.
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Gyeonggi Province said it will run a dedicated task force from this month to strengthen control of pine wilt disease, after infected trees in the province rose 67.8% year on year, according to the province’s own data released on 5 October. The province said the infected count reached 116,665 trees over the period from June last year to May this year. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The province said the disease was first confirmed in 2006 in seven pine trees in Gwangju city, and has spread to 25 cities and counties in 20 years. About 90% of the damage is concentrated in five northeastern cities and counties — Gapyeong, Yangpyeong, Pocheon, Namyangju and Gwangju — according to the province. Gapyeong and Yangpyeong were classified as severe areas with more than 30,000 dead trees, and Yangpyeong was designated a special control zone in August, the first in the province. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The measures follow instructions from Governor Choo Mi-ae, who received a report on the spread and ordered a task force formed immediately, a dedicated team created, a five-year regional control strategy drawn up, a capital-region joint control consultative body operated and a cooperation system with the Korea Forest Service established. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The province said it will assemble a task force of four staff, including one team leader, this month. It is to establish the five-year regional control strategy by the end of the year in connection with the Korea Forest Service’s 2026–2030 national control strategy, guide cities and counties on combined control and tree-species conversion, and check surveillance and control work. The province also plans to support each city and county’s annual regional control strategy and to consider creating a formal dedicated team next year. Asia Economy reported that a pine wilt control consultative council will be formed with government officials, academics, forest technicians, forestry workers and local representatives. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The province plans joint surveillance of border areas with neighbouring local governments including Seoul and Gangwon, and will pursue a cooperation agreement with related organisations including the Korea Forest Service. Governor Choo said, “Pine wilt disease kills 100% of trees once they are infected, so stopping it in the early stage of spread is more important than anything”, adding that the province, cities and counties and related organisations would “move as one control network” to reduce the damage. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
Pine wilt disease kills infected trees, and the province’s own data show the outbreak spreading across 25 cities and counties two decades after it was first detected, so the response is being organised above the city and county level. The province is setting up a standing task force and a five-year strategy tied to the Korea Forest Service’s 2026–2030 national plan, which indicates the control effort is intended to continue beyond this season. Damage is heavily concentrated in the northeast, the area the new measures target first.
Key facts
- Infected pine wilt trees in Gyeonggi Province rose 67.8% year on year over the period from June 2025 to May 2026, to 116,665 trees, according to provincial data. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The disease was first confirmed in Gyeonggi in 2006 in seven pine trees in Gwangju city and has since spread to 25 cities and counties in 20 years, the province said. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- About 90% of the damage is concentrated in five northeastern cities and counties: Gapyeong, Yangpyeong, Pocheon, Namyangju and Gwangju. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Gapyeong and Yangpyeong were classified as severe areas with more than 30,000 dead trees, and Yangpyeong was designated a special control zone in August, the first in the province. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Gyeonggi Province will form a task force of four staff, including one team leader, this month. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The task force is to draw up a five-year regional control strategy by the end of this year, linked to the Korea Forest Service’s 2026–2030 national control strategy. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The province plans to create a formal dedicated team next year and to pursue joint surveillance with Seoul and Gangwon and a cooperation agreement with the Korea Forest Service. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Governor Choo Mi-ae said infected trees die 100% of the time, so stopping the spread early is the priority. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Infected trees in Gyeonggi Province rose 67.8% year on year, to 116,665 over the June 2025–May 2026 period, according to provincial data. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The disease was first confirmed in 2006 in seven pine trees in Gwangju city and has spread to 25 cities and counties. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- About 90% of the damage is in Gapyeong, Yangpyeong, Pocheon, Namyangju and Gwangju. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Yangpyeong was designated a special control zone in August, the first in Gyeonggi Province. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The province will form a four-person task force this month and plans a five-year regional control strategy by year-end. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Governor Choo Mi-ae ordered the task force, the five-year strategy, a capital-region joint control consultative body and cooperation with the Korea Forest Service. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Whether cooperation with Seoul, Gangwon Province and the Korea Forest Service has been agreed or signed. All three documents say joint surveillance and a cooperation agreement are being pursued or planned, not concluded.
- What budget or funding has been assigned to the task force and the control measures. The documents describe staffing and strategy but state no budget figures.
- What caused the 67.8% increase in infected trees. The documents give the scale and location of the damage but do not state a cause.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Asia Economy publishes its report on the province’s control measures, including the plan for a pest-control consultative council. [ 1 ]
- Hankook Ilbo reports the province will run a task force from this month and pursue joint control with Seoul and Gangwon. [ 2 ]
- Kyunghyang Shinmun reports the 67.8% increase and the task force plan. [ 3 ]