South Korea's agriculture minister vowed all-out efforts Wednesday to eradicate bird flu and foot-and-mouth disease, asking for public support in the prolonged battle against the animal diseases.

"We can quickly put an end to the spread of FMD and avian influenza if we all join our efforts," Lee Dong-phil said in a press conference.

The call came as over half of the country's 50 million people are expected to begin migrating to their hometowns at the start of the three-day Lunar New Year's Day break that begins next Wednesday, significantly increasing the possibility of the animal diseases spreading.

Lee asked the people to try and avoid visiting affected farms and subject themselves to thorough quarantines should they have no other choice.

"I ask all our citizens to actively cooperate with any quarantine measures even though it may cause some inconveniences in their journey to their hometowns," he said.

The minister also urged stepped-up efforts by farmers and those working in related industries.

Since a fresh outbreak of AI was reported in September, the country has culled over 2.5 million poultry at 96 affected farms as of Wednesday. The latest outbreak marked the second of its kind in less than a year.

The country has also slaughtered some 85,000 pigs and cows since the first case of FMD was reported late last year. (Yonhap)