{
  "id": 16161538,
  "title": "Middle schooler bitten by pet cobra, spotlighting illegal exotic pet ownership",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/middle-schooler-bitten-by-pet-cobra-spotlighting-illegal-exotic-pet-16161538",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-23T07:22:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/society/20261023/middle-schooler-bitten-by-pet-cobra-spotlighting-illegal-exotic-pet-ownership"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A 14-year-old middle school student in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, was bitten by a cobra on Tuesday while attempting to trade the snake illegally. The bite occurred when he removed the cobra from its cage to sell it to another individual. The forest cobra, which is a protected species under the Wildlife Protection and Management Act, inflicted paralysis on the boy, leading to an emergency call to 119. He was airlifted to the Armed Forces Capital Hospital in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, where he received anti-venom treatment. Police are investigating how the cobra was traded and will determine if formal charges will be filed against the boy. This incident highlights the ongoing issue of illegal exotic pet ownership in Korea. In July, a crocodile was caught in a stream in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, prompting concerns about the illegal possession of dangerous wild animals in the country.",
  "summary": "A middle school student bitten by a cobra while trying to trade it illegally has been caught by police, raising concerns about illegal ownership of wild animals. According to the police, a 14-year-old boy in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, was bitten on the back of his hand by a cobra Tuesday, prompting an emergency call to 119. He showed signs of paralysis and was airlifted to the Armed…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}