The beagle is a dog breed frequently used in laboratory experiments due to its gentle and compliant temperament and moderate size. However, the primary reason animals are used in testing is their genetic similarity to humans. While humans enjoy immense convenience and comfort as a result, they often turn a blind eye to the grim reality faced by animals that share those very similarities. (Image courtesy of Pixabay/CCL)
SEOUL, April 24, (Korea Bizwire) — On World Day for Laboratory Animals, South Korean animal welfare organizations accused the government of retreating from meaningful protection measures for lab animals and called for expanded support for non-animal testing alternatives.
Seven advocacy groups, including the Life Abuse Prevention Forum and the Korea Animal Rights Advocates, held a joint press conference on April 24 in central Seoul, highlighting the sharp rise in animal testing over the past decade. According to the groups, the number of laboratory animals in South Korea doubled from 2.4 million in 2015 to 4.5 million in 2025.
Of these, 44.6% — or approximately 2.05 million — were subjected to “Grade E” experiments, the highest pain category. By comparison, only 9.2% of EU animal tests in 2022 fell under the same category.
The activists criticized the government’s Third Five-Year Comprehensive Animal Welfare Plan, noting that only three of the plan’s 85 pages address lab animals. They also raised alarms over a proposal to delegate oversight of animal testing education and inspections to industry-affiliated organizations, citing a clear conflict of interest.
“Renowned ethicist Peter Singer recently warned in his latest book that systemic change in lab animal welfare is often thwarted by vested interests — a reality South Korea must confront,” said Park Chang-gil of the Life Abuse Prevention Forum.
On the same day, Humane World for Animals called for stronger institutional backing for alternative testing methods.
Only about 0.01% of beagles make it out of laboratories alive. (Image created by AI/ChatGPT)
Despite South Korea banning animal testing for cosmetics in 2013 and issuing guidelines for alternatives, the overall use of lab animals continues to grow, especially in the development of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, pesticides, and food products.
The group contrasted Korea’s trajectory with international trends. The EU has maintained a complete ban on animal testing for cosmetics since 2013. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to phase out mammal testing by 2035, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is actively integrating non-animal methods — including AI-based analysis — into drug development processes.
Meanwhile, Beagle Rescue Network, another advocacy group, reported it had recently taken in 24 beagles formerly used in pharmaceutical testing, in addition to six rescued earlier from a university lab.
Most of the dogs were under the age of three. The organization noted that over 20,000 dogs are used in experiments in South Korea annually, with more than half being beagles due to their docile temperament.
“Almost all lab dogs are euthanized or dissected after testing, with less than 0.01% rescued,” said Kim Se-hyun, the group’s director. “It’s time we recognize that the products we use daily are built on the suffering of unseen animals.”
As public awareness grows, advocates are urging the South Korean government to catch up with international standards and ensure animal welfare policies are more than symbolic.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
