Poster for the 1st Animal Protection Day (Image provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs)
BUSAN, Sept. 28 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea has declared its first national charter on animal protection, a symbolic yet landmark step in recognizing animals as living beings rather than property. While the document carries no legal force, officials and advocates say it sets out core values to guide future policy and public awareness on animal welfare.
The announcement was made during the inaugural “Animal Protection Day” event held in Busan on September 26–27, following the government’s designation of October 4 as a legal commemoration day.
Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryeong, Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon, and lawmakers joined with animal rights groups including the Korean Animal Welfare Association and Kara to endorse the charter.
The declaration comes against a backdrop of pressing issues: more than 120 private shelters facing eviction over land-use restrictions, mass breeding farms confining animals in poor conditions, and persistent reliance on animal testing.
Organizers emphasized that such challenges require interagency cooperation, noting the presence of multiple ministries and agencies, from the Defense and Land ministries to the National Police Agency and Korea Customs Service, which signed agreements to improve animal welfare practices.
Pulmuone Foods said on the 28th that it showcased its animal welfare-certified eggs and its pet food brand Amio at the inaugural “Animal Protection Day Festival,” hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the city of Busan. (Yonhap)
The charter aligns Korea with international precedents. The United Nations issued its Universal Declaration of Animal Welfare in 1978, the European Union enshrined animals as “sentient beings” in 2009, and Britain codified the “Five Freedoms” in its 2006 Animal Welfare Act. Korea’s charter affirms, in similar spirit, that “animals are not mere possessions but living creatures deserving respect.”
Still, the road ahead is fraught with dilemmas. Many private shelters are built on farmland or conservation zones, raising conflicts with existing land-use regulations overseen by other ministries. Advocates caution that while exemptions could ease immediate pressures, they may trigger unintended consequences.
Jo Hee-kyung, head of the Korean Animal Welfare Association, called the charter a starting point: “It does not bind by law, but it provides the table for ministries and civic groups to negotiate solutions to deeply rooted problems. It’s a foundation to move forward, step by step.”
For now, the charter represents a national promise rather than a legal mandate. Yet officials and activists say it may serve as the ethical compass needed to address South Korea’s growing animal welfare challenges, from stray dogs to industrial farms.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
