Song Mi-ryung, minister of agriculture, food and rural affairs, speaks during a meeting in Sejong, Jan. 6. Yonhap

Korea placed an import ban on German pork Saturday following an outbreak of highly contagious foot-and-mouth (FMD) disease in the European nation, according to the agriculture ministry.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said the decision was made after Germany reported its first FMD case since 1988.

FMD is one of the most infectious diseases for cloven-hoofed animals, such as cattle and pigs, and can spread rapidly if uncontrolled.

The ministry said it will conduct FMD virus tests on German pork products shipped to the nation since Dec. 27.

Currently, approximately 360 tons of German pork, shipped between Oct. 26 and Nov. 17, is awaiting quarantine inspection.

The ministry said it will proceed with clearance procedures for the products through the normal process as the maximum latent period for the FDM virus is 14 days. (Yonhap)