Update:
MAF announced a proposed amendment for the Animal Protection Law
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) of Korea finally announced a proposed bill for the amendment of the Animal Protection Law on October 6, 2004. Animal protection groups in Korea have been working hard for the amendment of the law. Six major animal protection groups in Korea formed a committee called Committee for Propelling the Amendment of the Animal Protection Law and were a driving force of the new amendment of the Animal Protection Law.
The summary of the "Package of Measures for Animal Protection, 2004" is divided into the following 4 categories:
- Strengthened penalties and surveillance on animal abuse
Penalties for cruelty to animals are to be strengthened and there is more burden put on companion animal "owners" and sellers, the violation of which will lead to a fine or an imprisonment. Local governments will have their own animal protection inspectors. Dog racing, dog fighting, and giving away animals as prizes in a contests are defined as forms of animal abuse. Penalties for abusing animals will be as much as ten times stronger than what they have been.
Companion animal control system
A registration system for companion animal sellers and breeders will be introduced and more responsibilities will be imposed on them. Those who wish to run businesses that sell animals for profit must report to the Mayor or County Magistrate. Based on the Animal Protection Law, details will be decided by ordinance or regulations of local governments. The age of the animals for sale will be limited and the vaccination of the animals will be obligatory. Disposal of dead animals will be specified and companion animal funeral service system will be implemented.
Strengthened protection and management for stray animals
Major cities will be required to build animal shelters. Eligibility rules will be made for those adopting stray animals in order to prevent re-abandonment.
- Education and advertisement on animal protection
Education on animal protection will be conducted for those in relevant areas or elementary school students. An annual campaign period (or day) will be designated for educating the general public on responsible attitudes toward animals.
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What you can do:
Write to the following officials to ask for the following in addition to the amendment:
- A strong, enforceable humane law that would specifically prohibit all forms of abuse and neglect, and would cover all animals in all uses, without exemptions for any category of use. For example, laws that protect companion dogs or cats should also protect those dogs and cats referred to as "livestock" or "laboratory animals."
A regulatory definition of "animal" that clearly states that animals cannot be exempted from coverage based on their projected use.
An official translation of the proposed new South Korean Humane Law and Regulatory Code, including examples of how those violators who raise and sell dogs and cats for meat will be dealt with.
- Enforcement of existing animal protection laws to protect dogs and cats in the countryside and markets
You can send letters to the following:
Prime
Minister Hae Chan Lee
The Blue House
1, Sejongno, Jongno-gu
Seoul 110-050
Republic of Korea
Tel.: 011 822 770 0011
Fax: 011 822 770 0295
The Honorable Hur Sang-man, Minister
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Gwacheon Government Office Building
Joongang-dong
Gwancheon City
Gyeonggido Province
South Korea 427-760
minister@maf.go.kr
Ambassador Han, Sung-Joo
Embassy of the Republic of Korea
2450 Massachusetts Ave. N.W.
Washington, DC 20008
Tel. 202-939-5600
Fax: (202) 387-0402 You
can also help by doing one or more of the following:
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Contacting your local Korean embassy or consulate to request a meeting.
Ask the Korean representative for the specifics mentioned above
and demand that South Korea enforces existing laws, which prevent
dog and cat consumption. Click here for a list of Korean embassies
and consulates:
http://www.business-in-asia.com/koreanembassies.html.
•
Organizing a protest at the Korean embassy, consulate, or Hyundai
or Kia dealership nearest you. IDA will provide free posters and
leaflets to any activist interested in organizing a protest.
•
Distributing leaflets. We will send you a supply of IDA’s
new Korean dog leaflets to leave in busy areas, such as doctors’
offices, on the subway, or that you can simply enclose with each
piece of outgoing mail. E-mail your name and address to koreandogs@idausa.org to request materials.
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