TOKYO -- Japan has temporarily banned imports of pork, beef and mutton from South Korea after an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the neighboring country, AFP quoted an official as saying Saturday.

"We decided on Friday to temporarily stop issuing quarantine certificates for imports of pork, beef and mutton as well as products derived from these meats from South Korea," said an official of the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry.

"The suspension will continue until we can confirm there is no risk of disease spreading," the official said.

The decision came just a week after Tokyo lifted a two-year ban on South Korean pork imposed after an earlier outbreak of foot-and-mouth.

South Korean authorities on Saturday slaughtered thousands of pigs linked to an outbreak of the highly contagious disease, which was feared to be spreading to more farms.

The virus is known to spread through hoofed animals, including pigs, sheep and cattle, through air and fodder. Up to 55 percent of infected animals die.

The new outbreak comes less than a month before the World Cup Football Tournament kicks off in South Korea and Japan.