## 4 Conclusions  
Over the past 15 years, the systematic monitoring and management of LM canola by the Ministry of Environment (MOE) and the National Institute of Ecology (NIE) have been crucial in mitigating the risks associated with the unintentional release of LM canola into natural environments. This study analyzed extensive data collected from 2009 to 2023, providing significant insights into the distribution, persistence, and management of LM canola in South Korea. The data indicate that LM canola primarily proliferates in roadside areas, with occasional occurrences in other locations such as festivals and planting sites. The analysis of 441 collection sites over this period underscores the role of these specific environments in the spread and establishment of LM canola and related populations. Notably, the significant increase in suspicious LM canola samples since 2017 highlights the consequences of accidental releases. In 2017, the number of collected LM canola samples (93) increased by approximately 12 times compared to the total collected from 2009 to 2016 (8).  
Our findings emphasize the necessity of a comprehensive post-management system for LM canola. The persistent re-collection of LM canola at the same sites suggests that seed banks can remain viable and germinate over several years, necessitating continuous monitoring and immediate action following environmental release. The approach, which includes on-site rapid detection, expanded survey radii, and appropriate physical or chemical control methods, has been instrumental in effectively managing LM canola populations.  
The advanced LMO monitoring protocols and post-management strategies, informed by an analysis of collection site types and an understanding of LMO gene types, have successfully prevented the widespread proliferation of LM canola. This ongoing effort is critical for conserving the integrity of South Korea's and Asia's natural environments against the potential risks posed by LMOs.  
In conclusion, our study demonstrates that the proactive and adaptive strategies employed by the NIE are vital for controlling the unintentional settlement of LM canola. Continued improvement and implementation of these post-management strategies will be essential for safeguarding ecological health and biodiversity in the face of ongoing challenges associated with LMOs.  
Conceptualization, H.S.L. and J.R.L.; methodology, H.S.L. and J.R.L.; validation, H.S.L. and J.R.L.; formal analysis, H.S.L., W.C., Y.J.J., A.-M.Y., D.N. and J.R.L.; investigation, H.S.L., W.C., Y.J.J., A.-M.Y., D.N. and J.R.L.; resources, H.S.L. and J.R.L.; data curation, H.S.L. and J.R.L.; writing--original draft preparation, H.S.L., W.C. and J.R.L.; writing--review and editingC.M.K., J.H.L. and J.R.L.; visualization, H.S.L. and J.R.L.; supervision, J.R.L.; project administration, J.R.L.; funding acquisition, J.R.L. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.  
This research was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Ecology (NIE), funded by the Ministry of Environment (MOE) of the Republic of Korea (NIE-A-2024-06 and NIE-A-2024-07).  
Not applicable.  
Data Availability Statement: Data are contained within the article.  
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.