Incheon, South Korea – Incheon International Airport is the only airport in Korea that has been consistently receiving reports of suspected bioterrorism, with the number of reports on the rise. According to data obtained from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by Rep. Huh Jong-sik of the Democratic Party of Korea, the Incheon Airport Quarantine Service received a total of 48 reports of suspected bioterrorism last year. Most of these reports involve the discovery of unidentified white powder.

The number of reports had plummeted from 2020 to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with only 18 cases reported in total. However, the number has been increasing again since 2023, with 29 cases reported that year. During the same period, no suspected bioterrorism reports were received at any other airport in Korea.

Bioterrorism refers to the intentional release of viruses, bacteria, toxins, or other harmful biological agents to cause illness or death. While the reports received at Incheon Airport are only suspected cases, experts say that a rapid response system is crucial in the event of an actual bioterrorism attack.

"Incheon Airport is a world-class airport with a capacity of up to 160 million people annually," said Rep. Huh. "It is also the gateway for 90% of the people subject to entry quarantine in Korea. Therefore, it is imperative that a medical system be established in the vicinity of the airport to respond to bioterrorism and infectious diseases."

Rep. Huh called on the government to take immediate action to establish such a system in order to protect the safety of the public.