The Rural Development Administration in South Korea has raised the alert level for fire blight, a bacterial disease affecting apples and pears, from "concern" to "caution" after the disease was detected in an apple orchard in Chungju, North Chungcheong Province. The administration has initiated operation of a response situation room and is working with other organizations to implement emergency control measures and prevent the disease's spread. Last year, the disease affected 162 farms and approximately 0.2% of the total apple and pear cultivation area in Korea. The administration is planning an emergency response meeting to strategize further measures.