Jung Min-ho has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2012, mostly covering social and political issues. He currently belongs to the Politics & City Desk where he covers topics such as health, labor and human rights. Prior to joining the team, he was responsible for covering North Korea and sports. His article about a biosecurity breach of Middle East respiratory syndrome won him an award from the Korea Science Journalists Association in 2016. He is also the co-author of the book, "Medical Pioneers of Korea" (2019). He served as the head of the international relations committee at the Journalists Association of Korea from 2021 to 2023.
Bug fear: 36,000 Incheon households told not to drink tap water
A larva-like insect found in Incheon's tap water. The city government has advised some 36,000 households not to drink the water until health officials confirm its safety. Yonhap
By Jung Min-ho
By Jung Min-ho
Health authorities have advised some 36,000 households in Incheon not to drink tap water after residents reported that tiny bugs had been found in it.
“So far, we have received 23 complaints in which residents say they found larva-like insects,” the Incheon city government said Tuesday. “For everyone's safety, we advise 36,000 households in Wnaggil, Dangha, Wondang and Majeon-dong not to drink water from the tap directly.”
Citing Kim Wang-gyu, a researcher at the National Institute of Biological Resources, the city government said the bugs were found to be chironomus plumosus, also known as the buzzer midge, and there is “no evidence that they are harmful” to humans.
But to ensure safety, inspectors have started investigating water tanks, pipes and the source of the water, it said.
Until health officials confirm the water's safety, the city government said it plans to provide schools, kindergartens and daycare centers in affected areas with clean water.
Mayor Park Nam-chun vowed to discover the cause of the problem as rapidly as possible and share the results with all residents.
This is not the first time Incheon residents have had an issue with their tap water.
Last year, thousands of households in Geomam, Baekseok and Dangha-dong filed complaints over “reddish, smelly” tap water. Corrosion in supply pipes was found to be the main cause. Four officials were indicted on charges of doctoring the figures for turbidity in the water.
On the city government's website, petitioners have criticized the mayor's “repeated failures,” demanding he apologize.
“I have lived in Incheon for 34 years, but I really want to move out this time,” a petitioner wrote Wednesday. “We had reddish water; and now we have bugs. As a mother of a child, it becomes scarier and more difficult to live here. I implore you all to do something urgently.”