In an effort to protect Korea's environment and public health, the government approved a new regulation on Tuesday to require reptiles to undergo quarantine inspections upon arriving in the country. This unrelated photo shows a participant of the 20th Reptile Fair handing a lizard at the event, which was held in southern Seoul, April 7. Yonhap

In an effort to protect Korea's environment and public health from potential disease threats, the government approved a new regulation, Tuesday, requiring reptiles to undergo quarantine inspections upon arriving in the country.

According to the Ministry of Environment, all reptiles must be inspected by experts from the National Institute of Wildlife Disease Control and Prevention under the revised enforcement ordinance, which is set to come into force on May 19.

Reptiles have long been pointed out as a loophole in the country's quarantine system. While the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs examines mammals and birds, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries checks amphibians only ― leaving reptiles allowed into the country without proper screening.

At Incheon International Airport, which is the designated location for the quarantine inspections under the regulation, animals confirmed to have been infected with any of a number of potentially dangerous diseases will not be allowed into the country.

The Ministry of Environment said introducing that measure was necessary for the health of not just animals but also people in Korea as imported animals could be carrying diseases including zoonotic diseases, or those that can be transmitted from animals to humans.