BOEUN, Oct. 9 (Korea Bizwire) — Amid mounting criticism from animal rights groups, Boeun County in North Chungcheong Province plans to proceed with its annual bullfighting festival later this month, defending it as a local tradition and a driver of regional tourism.
The county and the Boeun branch of the Korea Folk Bullfighting Association announced Wednesday that the 16th Boeun National Folk Bullfighting Competition will take place October 17–21 along the riverside near Boeun Bridge, coinciding with the 2025 Boeun Jujube Festival.
Under current regulations from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, only 11 municipalities nationwide are authorized to host such events, with Boeun the sole venue in the central Chungcheong region. The county first organized the competition in 2007, attracting about 100 bulls from across the country, and has continued annually except during the pandemic.
The decision comes as public sentiment increasingly turns against the centuries-old sport, in which bulls lock horns until one yields. A national online petition calling for a total ban on bullfighting gathered more than 50,000 signatures in July, leading several cities in the sport’s southern heartland of Gyeongnam Province to cancel their events.
Boeun officials acknowledged internal debate over whether to continue the festival but said its economic benefits were decisive. “There were voices suggesting we reconsider the event, but the prevailing opinion favored holding it due to its positive impact on the local economy,” an official said. The county has allocated 180 million won ($130,000) to support the festival this year.
Last year’s competition drew roughly 12,000 spectators, with local Hanwoo beef sales exceeding 2.7 tons during the event. Organizers estimate the total economic benefit to be several times the county’s investment.
This year’s contest will feature about 120 bulls competing in three weight classes—Baekdu, Hangang, and Taebaek—for a combined prize pool of 87 million won, including 7 million won for each class champion.
The local bullfighting association said it has adopted stricter animal welfare measures, such as banning horn sharpening and halting matches immediately when a bull turns away. “We understand the concerns of animal protection groups,” a representative said, “but we also have to consider preserving a traditional cultural heritage that sustains the local economy.”
To prevent illegal gambling, the county will deploy plainclothes officers around the venue in cooperation with Boeun Police during the festival period.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
