Seoul bans cicada nymph collection at Yeouido park
The city will fine visitors who ignore warnings against collecting cicada nymphs at Yeouido Saetgang Ecological Park.
A cicada on a tree branch
YONHAP
The Seoul Metropolitan Government on Tuesday said it is banning Han River parkgoers from mass-collecting cicadas after reports of the act at Yeouido Saetgang Ecological Park in Yeongdeungpo District, western Seoul.
The city recently installed banners around the park notifying visitors that collecting cicada nymphs — wingless, immature cicadas — is prohibited, following complaints last year that some people were systematically harvesting cicada nymphs in the area using large containers.
The city has not received related complaints so far this year but decided to act preemptively out of concern that similar cases could recur.
Last year, the city's complaint center received a report of large-scale cicada nymph harvesting using sizable containers at Saetgang Ecological Park. Comparable incidents surfaced elsewhere as well — a controversy erupted last year after Chinese nationals were spotted mass-collecting cicada nymphs at an ecological park in Busan.
Certain regions of China and Southeast Asia are known to have culinary traditions involving cicada nymphs and adult cicadas. Mass collection of cicadas for consumption, however, remains uncommon in Korea.
Cicadas are not a legally designated protected species. But under the Seoul Metropolitan Government's basic ordinance on the preservation and use of Han River parks, collecting insects or plants without permission in managed areas of Han River parks can result in a fine of 100,000 won ($70).
The city said restrictions on collection are especially necessary at Yeouido Saetgang Ecological Park, which houses a variety of flora and fauna and runs nature observation and hands-on programs for children, since indiscriminate insect collection could affect the ecosystem there.
Along with installing the banners, the city plans to step up on-site patrols and public education efforts, and will issue a warning to stop collection when violations are found, with fines to follow for those who don't comply.
BY JANG GU-SEUL [lee.jian@joongang.co.kr]
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
