The Ministry of Environment has announced plans to deploy more experienced hunters for nighttime wild boar culls following a series of accidental shootings. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jul. 23 (Korea Bizwire) – The Ministry of Environment has announced plans to deploy more experienced hunters for nighttime wild boar culls following a series of accidental shootings.
Two incidents this month have highlighted the dangers of mistaken identity during hunts. On July 9, a hunter in Hoengseong County, Gangwon Province, mistook a person for a wild boar and opened fire. A similar incident occurred on July 14 in Yeongju, North Gyeongsang Province.
In response to these accidents, the Ministry of Environment released a statement on July 22 outlining new measures to improve safety during nocturnal hunting operations. The ministry plans to prioritize the deployment of highly skilled hunters for nighttime culls of wild boars and other wildlife using firearms.
Currently, hunters are selected based on having a hunting license for at least five years and a record of hunting activity within the past five years, regardless of whether operations occur during day or night. The new policy will give preference to those with more extensive hunting experience for nighttime operations.
“We believe that deploying our most seasoned hunters for nighttime culls will significantly reduce the risk of accidents,” said a ministry spokesperson. “Their expertise in low-light conditions and wildlife identification is crucial for safe and effective operations.”
The ministry also announced plans to enhance safety training for hunters in collaboration with the National Police Agency, local governments, and the Wildlife Management Association. These training sessions will target members of the National Wildlife Damage Prevention Unit and other hunting groups.
To further mitigate risks, local governments will be required to improve their communication with residents about the timing and location of hunts involving firearms to cull harmful wildlife such as wild boars.
Wild boars and water deer are among the animals that can be legally hunted due to the agricultural damage they cause. As both are nocturnal, they are usually hunted during the night. The culling of wild boars has been particularly aggressive in recent years due to their potential role in spreading African Swine Fever (ASF).
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
