On May 14, as unseasonably warm temperatures in Seoul reached 26 degrees Celsius, pigeons cool off at a fountain in Bukinsamadang, Jongno District. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, May 19, 2025 — Once celebrated as symbols of peace, pigeons in South Korea have fallen from grace—so much so that they are now officially designated as harmful wildlife by the Ministry of Environment.
As urban populations grow and interactions with pigeons become more frequent, public perception has shifted dramatically, with increasing reports of cruelty, efforts to curb their numbers, and calls for humane population control.
This shift was spotlighted earlier this month when a cleaning contractor at Seoul’s Gu-il subway station was caught on surveillance footage killing two pigeons.
According to animal rights group Animal Liberation Wave, the man allegedly used a slingshot-like weapon and twisted the neck of one injured bird in view of others. The group filed criminal complaints under wildlife protection and animal cruelty laws.
While pigeons are legally classified as a “nuisance species,” regulations prohibit individuals from harming them without proper municipal authorization. Still, similar cases continue to emerge. In March 2025, a cleaning worker in Incheon was charged for spreading poisoned rice to kill pigeons she said interfered with her job.
In a separate 2022 incident, a man drew online outrage after posting a video of himself kicking pigeons with the caption “Kicking game.”
Pigeon aversion is now so widespread that derogatory nicknames like “chicken-pigeon” (“dak-dulgi”) have taken root, and some municipalities and businesses have even removed pigeons from official symbols or mascots.
A widely accepted view among scholars is that the dramatic rise in South Korea’s urban pigeon population stems from mass releases during national events in the 20th century. The photo shows white pigeons being raised for release at the opening ceremony of the 1988 Seoul Olympics. (Yonhap)
Ironically, experts say the overpopulation problem was largely caused by humans themselves. A landmark study by the National Institute of Biological Resources noted that thousands of pigeons were intentionally released during state events in the 1980s and 1990s, including the 1986 Asian Games, 1988 Seoul Olympics, and multiple presidential inaugurations, to symbolize harmony and peace.
These repeated mass releases laid the foundation for the pigeons’ rapid urban proliferation.
As pigeons adapted to city life—taking refuge in building crevices and feeding on human waste—their numbers soared, leading to property damage, cultural heritage degradation, and health concerns. In 2009, they were officially labeled as harmful wildlife due to overpopulation and associated risks.
Despite the public backlash, experts caution against demonizing the birds. “Pigeons are simply adapting to the environment humans created,” said Yoo Jung-chil, emeritus professor of biology at Kyung Hee University. “We must consider coexistence. The first step is to stop feeding them.”
Banner Prohibiting Pigeon Feeding (Yonhap)
Local governments are beginning to act. Starting July 2025, the Seoul Metropolitan Government will fine individuals up to 1 million won (approx. $740) for feeding pigeons in major public areas such as Gwanghwamun Square and Han River parks.
“Managing the population doesn’t mean unrestricted culling,” said Yoo. “It must be humane and environmentally responsible. After all, we created this issue—and it’s ours to solve.”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
