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They reported, “Under the 2020-2024 plan which is anticipated to be announced in December, the South Korean government will revise animal-related regulations in different areas from raising pets to carrying out animal tests, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Among others, the government said it will redefine the scope of actions that can be considered as animal cruelty. When implemented, abandoning pets also will be considered an abusive action and violators will face stronger punishment. Any maltreatment that leads to the death of animals may be punishable with a jail term of three years or a fine of 30 million won (US$25,638), up from the current ceiling of two years and 20 million won.” 

 

According to the report, “Breeding farms will be required to provide better living conditions for animals in terms of the size of cages and the number of employees….

The government will also prepare guidelines to cope with stray animals, including making shelters for pets in case of disasters.”  

 

This is a great news and a big step towards the ending of dog and cat meat cruelty in South Korea. Let’s keep up our pressure on South Korea until the dog and cat meat trade ends!

YAY!!! We are so happy the resolution (asking the governments of China, Vietnam, South Korea, Cambodia, and Indonesia to ban the sale of dog meat and to enforce their animal cruelty laws) unanimously passed the City Council today (13 Yes, 0 No, and 2 absent). A big thank you goes out to Mr. Jeffrey Mausner for speaking at the council meeting today and to all the members of the Valley Alliance of Neighborhood Councils for their efforts to make this possible. Also we are grateful to all council members who voted for this important resolution. Click HERE to learn more.

Today is July 1 in South Korea and as of this day, Busan Gupo Livestock (Dog Meat) market is closed for good! Busan Korea Alliance for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Busan KAPCA) has worked very hard for many years to make this happen. They, along with Korea Animal Rights Advocates (KARA) and Korea Animal Welfare Association (KAWA) are right now at the Gupo Market to rescue the remaining dogs.

 

Busan Gupo Dog Meat Market is the first market in South Korea to close down altogether instead of just banning onsite slaughter. This is a truly momentous time in South Korea’s animal rights history. Many people are here to celebrate the closure of this market and rescue of the remaining dogs that the dog butchers agreed to release. Busan Mayor Oh Keo-Don, Busan Buk-gu District Director Jeong Myeong-Hui and other government representatives, along with many rescue activists/organizations and press, are present for the photo opportunities.

 

It is hoped that the actions of Busan Gupo Dog Meat Market will create a domino effect and that other major cities with large dog meat markets will follow Busan’s example. There are still hundreds of dog meat restaurants and so-called “Health Food Shops” in Busan that continue to sell dog meat. We must, therefore, keep the pressure on by taking action and protesting until the dog meat industry is completely banned in Busan and all around South Korea.

Photo: Busan Gupo Dog Meat Market, South Korea. Busan KAPCA.

We are very excited that the New York based animal rights group “The Animals’ Battalion” will be organizing demonstrations in front of the Korean Consulate General’s Office for the fifth year in a row for the 3 days of Boknal (dog eating is traditionalized in Korea – Chobok 7/12, Jungbok 7/22, and Malbok 8/9 (Demonstration is on 8/9 Friday because Malbok 8/11 is on Sunday) in 2019) and EVERYONE IS INVITED. YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A MEMBER OF THE ANIMALS’ BATTALION. IF YOU CARE ABOUT THE KOREAN DOGS, PLEASE JOIN.

 

Photo: The Animals’ Battalion Demonstration on August 16, 2018 (Day 3) at the Korean Consulate General’s Office in New York.