In a stark departure from European bullfighting, Korean bullfighting showcases a unique spectacle where the bulls themselves engage in battle. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
CHEONGDO, April 16 (Korea Bizwire) — The Cheongdo Bullfighting Festival, which resumed for the first time in four years on April 14, has sparked controversy over animal abuse.
Despite its deep roots in Korea’s agricultural culture, animal protection groups are criticizing the festival’s organizers for feeding herbivorous cows animal feed and using harsh training methods to induce aggression. Protests by local farming communities have been rebuffed by the festival’s chairman, Lee Hae-rok, who insists that the festival is a representative folk event with a rich history.
The festival, which takes place in the nation’s only dome stadium dedicated to bullfighting, features a Traditional Folk Bullfighting Competition with a total prize fund of 130 million won. In a stark departure from European bullfighting, Korean bullfighting showcases a unique spectacle where the bulls themselves engage in battle. Bulls from all over the country compete in preliminary rounds, with the quarterfinals taking place on the opening day of the festival.
Though bullfighting competitions are held in 11 regions across South Korea, the controversy surrounding animal abuse has led some regions to rename their events to simply “bullfighting.” Nevertheless, the economic benefits of major tourism events like the Cheongdo Bullfighting Festival cannot be ignored, with more than 318,000 visitors in 2019 generating an economic impact of 21.2 billion won.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
