Jeongeup City’s building project, in which the local government has invested over 1 billion won, will see a livestock theme park built near Naejangsan National Park, with the construction scheduled to begin as early as next month. (Image: Cheongdo County)
JEONGEUP, NORTH JEOLLA, Jun. 14 (Korea Bizwire) — As Jeongeup City in North Jeolla Province is set to move forward with plans to build a farm animal theme park, the local government is facing accusations of animal abuse from both progressive civic groups and political parties over a proposed bullfight stadium.
Jeongeup City’s building project, in which the local government has invested over 1 billion won, will see a livestock theme park built near Naejangsan National Park, with the construction scheduled to begin as early as next month.
While local government officials are hopeful that the new project will boost the economy in the region, criticism is mounting against one facility in particular – a proposed bullfighting stadium that is at the center of the project.
Against this backdrop, an umbrella group has been established consisting of local members of 12 organizations and political parties including the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, the Korean Teachers & Educational Worker’s Union, the Donghak Peasant Revolution Succession Project, and the Justice Party.
Members of the organization have been organizing protests and promoting their anti-bullfight cause to local residents on the street in an effort to place enough pressure on local authorities to scrap the proposal for a bullfighting stadium.
“Bullfighting stadiums are gambling facilities where you can buy tickets to bet on the bulls. They’re not child-friendly and would be damaging to the reputation of Jeongeup City,” the organization said.
The Green Party Korea also chimed in, saying, “Bullfights are a form of animal abuse disguised as folk art.”
As Jeongeup City in North Jeolla Province is set to move forward with plans to build a farm animal theme park, the local government is facing accusations of animal abuse from both progressive civic groups and political parties over a proposed bullfight stadium. (Image: Yonhap)
“Bulls will experience high body heat while moving up and down the country frequently for bullfights. When bulls are being forced to bulk up, they will also suffer from bloat, which goes against nature and constitutes animal abuse.
As local authorities are resolute on moving forward with the project, citing employment opportunities as one of the positive reasons, the row between the progressive groups and Jeongeup City is expected to intensify.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
