The government has stepped up efforts to tighten container inspections after red fire ants were discovered at Pyeongtaek Port in Gyeonggi Province.

The government on Friday held a meeting of related ministries to discuss responses to the discovery of the invasive insects which have amounted to thousands on some occasions. It plans to closely inspect containers carrying 32 items, including coconut shells and lauan wood. 

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said that it would urge authorities in eleven Chinese provinces considered to be viable habitats for red fire ants to voluntarily carry out disinfection work before shipping their products to South Korea. 

The government will also seek to fill in gaps in cement floors at the port and remove weeds in a bid to get rid of ant habitats.