Animal rights becomes presidential campaign issue

Yoon Suk-yeol, the presidential candidate of the main opposition conservative People Power Party, caresses a retired guide dog at the training center in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, Jan. 19. Joint Press Corps

Presidential candidates speak up on animal rights to appeal to pet owners

By Lee Hae-rin

"What is dangerous for humans could also be unsafe for animals. We must work to create a safe environment for both animals and people," Yoon Suk-yeol, the presidential candidate of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) wrote on social media, Jan. 22.

Referring to the death of a horse during the filming of a KBS TV series, Yoon added that he felt deep sorrow when he heard the news of the animal's death.

Kim Hye-kyung, the wife of the ruling liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK)'s candidate Lee Jae-myung, provided voiceover narration for an animal welfare campaign video uploaded on Lee's YouTube channel, Jan. 21.

In the video, a caregiver of stray cats gives water and food to her feline friend on a cold winter day. "Winter is a harsh season for both people and small animals living on the streets," Kim narrates. "The DPK will work harder for coexistence with little creatures on the streets. Please hold on, spring will come."

The presidential candidates or their spouses have begun to speak up on animal rights, as companion animals have become part of life for over 10 million Koreans.

Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the leading Democratic Party, greets a rescue dog at the theme park of the television series, "Animal Farm," in a video uploaded on Dec. 31, 2021, on Jaekkichan's YouTube channel. / Screenshot from YouTube

DPK candidate Lee Jae-myung vowed on Jan. 2 to create a comprehensive animal welfare system, including the expansion of animal-friendly facilities, the standardization of animal medical costs, and improved management of the pet food industry.

Since las August, Lee has been calling for a ban on dog meat, punishment for those who abuse animals, the shutting down of dog meat farms and the expansion of vegetarian and vegan options.

The former Gyeonggi governor-turned-presidential candidate, Lee unveiled a number of pet-friendly initiatives in the province, such as building dog playfields and an adoption center for rescued animals.

Although vocal on animal rights, Lee himself is accused of having abandoned his own dog, which was rescued from a dog meat farm, when he served as the mayor of Seongnam City.

His rival, PPP presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol, also pledged a set of measures to protect animals, including a pet registration system, installation of pet play areas in parks and the standardization of veterinary services.

Yoon also visited a school for training guide dogs to assist visually impaired people and promised to improve awareness of guide dogs and their owners, as well as to support retired guide dogs in finding new families.

Yoon himself is a pet owner who lives with four dogs and three cats, which appears to be appealing to animal-loving voters. Up until last October, for example, Yoon's camp ran an Instagram account for one of his dogs, named Tori. It was soon shut down as a controversy arose regarding his manner of apologizing for having made remarks about late former dictator Chun Doo-hwan.

Meanwhile, Yoon is so far the only candidate who has not promised to end the dog meat trade. During the PPP electoral debate last October, Yoon said that there is another category of dogs for the meat trade, and his remarks triggered a controversy among animal lovers.

Sim Sang-jung, the presidential candidate of the Justice Party, holds a pup at the Bom Center, an animal shelter in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, Jan. 9. / Courtesy of Justice Party

Sim Sang-jung of the minor opposition progressive Justice Party pledged a life-long welfare plan for companion animals, including a health insurance system, burial and funeral services and a national qualification and training system for animal behavior specialists.

Sim also vowed to establish a public adoption system that provides comprehensive education and counseling for those who wish to accept a new animal member into their family.

Most importantly, Sim will present a roadmap for bringing an end to the dog meat industry, animal abuse, animal slaughter and the mass production of pedigree pets. Furthermore, she will create a committee devoted to animal welfare and amend the current animal protection law to redefine animals as living beings rather than an individual's property.

Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the People's Party, does volunteer work at an animal shelter in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, Jan. 7. Joint Press Corps

Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate and leader of the minor opposition conservative People's Party, has also presented a set of animal welfare measures to shut down puppy and kitten mills and support those already in the industry to seek sustainable alternatives, Jan. 17.

Ahn also proposed to create an executive office of the president specialized in animal welfare to facilitate interdepartmental cooperation. The candidate also plans to introduce a new system, in which veterinary service are priced in negotiations with the Korean Veterinary Medical Association, similar to that of Germany.

According to the agriculture ministry, over 6.38 million households in Korea live with companion animals as of 2020. This number amounts to 27.7 percent of all households. This has increased from 2019's 5.91 million.