Update:

Animal welfare organizations in Korea were working with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in early 2004 on an amendment to the Animal Protection Act. Some groups in Korea had expressed fear that the government was seeking to categorize dogs and cats separately as those for food and those for "pets," which would legalize dog and cat consumption. We have learned that the amendment was not introduced into committee for approval this summer. The 1991 Animal Protection Law will eventually need to be amended. Therefore it is vital to continue to contact the Korean government to ask for the following:

. 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: 

. 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.