Banners go up at Han River park warning against cicada larva collection

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has moved to prevent the mass collection of cicada larvae along the Han River after repeated incidents involving foreign visitors during the summer months.

According to the city Wednesday, it recently installed banners near Saetgang Ecological Park in Yeouido urging people not to collect cicada larvae.

The measure follows a string of complaints filed last year about groups of foreigners, believed to be Chinese nationals, carrying large containers and collecting cicada larvae en masse at the park.

Complaints submitted to the city's online portal described Chinese visitors repeatedly gathering large quantities of larvae using big containers. One resident reported the incident to police but raised the issue that those involved were released on the spot because there was no legal basis to penalize them.

The city said that when complaints were received at the time, Han River rangers were dispatched to the scene to warn collectors and had any larvae already caught released back into the wild.

No similar complaints have been filed this year, but the city decided to act preemptively given the likelihood of the situation recurring during the summer. The city noted that Saetgang Ecological Park is a habitat for diverse flora and fauna, and indiscriminate insect collection could affect the local ecosystem.

Cicadas are not a legally designated protected species, but Han River park management zones fall under the Seoul Metropolitan Government's basic ordinance on the conservation and use of Han River parks. Under that ordinance, collecting or capturing insects or plants without a permit can result in a fine of 100,000 won ($71).

Alongside the banners, the city said it plans to step up on-site patrols and public awareness activities.

A similar controversy erupted last year after reports emerged of Chinese nationals collecting large numbers of cicada larvae for food at an ecological park in Busan.

Eating cicada larvae is a culinary tradition in parts of China. In provinces such as Shandong and Henan, fried or stir-fried cicada larvae are considered a summer delicacy.

Parks in Tokyo also saw controversy last year when Chinese visitors were reported collecting cicada larvae in large numbers, drawing complaints from residents and prompting crackdowns.