In 2018, a four-year-old heifer ran over a human at a slaughterhouse in Seosan, Chungcheongnam-do, and went viral online. The cow was found about six hours later in a field 1.5 kilometers away from the slaughterhouse, and after being captured with a tranquilizer gun, was immediately slaughtered at the slaughterhouse in the afternoon, just over two hours later, causing great controversy. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Feb. 3 (Korea Bizwire) –In a recent interview with Yonhap News, Jeon Jin-kyung, the director of Korea Animal Rights Advocates (KARA), shed light on the complex emotional world of animals, emphasizing their ability to experience a wide range of feelings such as frustration, fear, pride, and shyness, much like humans.
She criticized the cruel treatment animals often endure in the food industry, where they are disassembled on conveyor belts while conscious and sometimes buried alive to prevent disease outbreaks. The desperate attempts of mother pigs to escape pits and the bewildered looks of piglets highlight the brutality of these practices.
Jeon argued that if animal slaughter and culling are deemed necessary, they should be conducted with minimal suffering and in a humane manner. She pointed out that animals endure significant pain not only during slaughter but throughout the farming process, suggesting that reducing meat consumption is a fundamental solution to this problem.
Massive pig culls were carried out to contain African swine fever. At the time, it was controversial because many of the people who worked on it couldn’t handle the trauma and often took their own lives. (Yonhap)
Born in Seoul in 1964 and a graduate of Ewha Womans University’s College of Pharmacy, Jeon transitioned from a corporate career to running a pharmacy in Seoul.
Her involvement in animal protection began with caring for stray cats and later pursuing a graduate degree in Animal Behavior Ecology at Ewha. She was a founding member of KARA’s predecessor in 2002 and began her full-time commitment to the organization in 2014, becoming its director in 2021.
In the interview, Jeon addressed the skepticism some people have about prioritizing animal welfare when human welfare itself is a challenge, stating that protecting animals creates a society where humans are also protected.
She emphasized her personal commitment to animal welfare due to the lack of attention it receives compared to human-centric causes.
Jeon Jin-kyung, the director of Korea Animal Rights Advocates (KARA)
Reflecting on her experiences in animal welfare activism, Jeon shared how working with animals has enriched her life, providing mental strength and resilience.
She has become more detached from human affairs and less easily shaken by ordinary challenges, attributing this change to her involvement in animal rescue and advocacy.
Jeon discussed the depth of emotions that animals exhibit, citing examples of dogs showing pride after being groomed and displaying guilt after unintentionally hurting a child.
She also touched on the intelligence of animals, mentioning experiments with chickens that demonstrate their ability to make decisions based on delayed gratification.
Addressing the intelligence quotient (IQ) of animals, Jeon noted that certain breeds of dogs and dolphins have IQs comparable to humans, challenging the notion that humans are inherently superior.
She criticized derogatory expressions that compare people unfavorably to animals, suggesting that in some cases, animals demonstrate more ethical behavior than humans.
Jeon also questioned the anthropocentric view that humans are the “crown of creation,” arguing that animals possess abilities in which they surpass humans, such as in hearing, vision, and intuition.
Charles Darwin, often regarded as the pioneer of the animal rights movement, introduced the theory of evolution. In the 1800s, Darwin contended that animals experienced similar emotions to humans, though his ideas were promptly rejected. Nevertheless, in the mid-to-late 1900s, a resurgence of this perspective occurred following numerous studies demonstrating the sentience of animals.
She also commented on human behaviors that are detrimental to health and the environment, contrasting them with the more balanced lifestyle of animals.
Regarding the ethics of animal slaughter, Jeon advocated for methods that render animals unconscious before death to minimize suffering. She highlighted indigenous practices where animals are killed swiftly and without forewarning, reducing the fear and pain associated with the process.
Jeon proposed that reducing meat consumption is a crucial step toward mitigating the suffering of animals in the food industry. She suggested that halving current meat consumption levels would significantly reduce animal suffering.
A dog being led to the slaughterhouse and looking on.
On the topic of vegetarianism, Jeon shared her personal journey toward a meat-free diet, spurred by a traumatic experience witnessing animal cruelty as a child.
She highlighted the health benefits she has observed from a plant-based diet, including improved physical well-being and mental clarity.
Jeon’s interview underscores the need for a comprehensive reevaluation of our relationship with animals, advocating for practices that respect their rights and well-being.
Her insights challenge prevailing attitudes toward animal welfare and call for a more compassionate and ethical approach to our interactions with the animal kingdom.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
