Korean golden frogs are seen at a watercourse in Dangjin, a city in the central province of South Chungcheong, in this undated photo released by the Dangjin municipality.
SEOUL, Dec. 22 (Korea Bizwire) — The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said Wednesday it will expand the scope of quarantine from fish, shellfish and crustaceans to include amphibians to prevent the inflow of contagious diseases.
The ministry amended the enforcement regulations of the Aquatic Organism Disease Control Act in December of last year to establish a legal basis for amphibian quarantine.
Frogs, salamanders and other live amphibians being brought into the country for dietary, exhibition, experiment and research purposes, will now have to undergo quarantine procedures at the National Fishery Products Quality Management Service.
Registration for import quarantine can be done at the service’s official website or via the Korea Customs Service’s electronic customs system.
When brought in through airports or harbors, documentation for the items being imported should be submitted.
Those who fail to do so may be subject to up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won (US$23,480).
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
