Full Reform Planned for "Cheongdo Bullfighting"... Improvements in Operation and Welfare of Fighting Bulls to Be Pursued

First Meeting of the "Cheongdo Bullfighting Operation Improvement Council" to Be Held on the 20th

The government has launched a comprehensive reform of the "Cheongdo Bullfighting" event, which has come under suspicion for practices such as bull substitution, drug misuse, and the participation of injured bulls.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on the 19th that it will form the "Cheongdo Bullfighting Operation Improvement Council" and hold its first meeting on the 20th to improve the way bullfighting matches are managed and to enhance the welfare of the fighting bulls.

Cheongdo Bullfighting. Cheongdo Public Enterprise Corporation

Bullfighting involves pitting two bulls against each other in a contest, with tickets sold for bets on the outcome and payouts awarded to those who correctly predict the winner.

In response to growing public interest and demands for improvements in bullfighting matches, the Ministry conducted a fact-finding survey in January this year regarding operational concerns. Based on the results, the Ministry notified Cheongdo County and the Cheongdo Public Enterprise Corporation of the necessary institutional improvements, including: ▲ management and operation of bull identification, ▲ drug and veterinary inspection standards and management, and ▲ conflict-of-interest regulations for those involved in the bullfighting matches. In response, the Cheongdo Public Enterprise Corporation has drawn up an implementation plan that includes strengthening management of bull identification, drug testing, and match fairness, and will proceed accordingly.

Starting with this meeting, the Cheongdo Bullfighting Operation Improvement Council plans to review the implementation plan and discuss future measures. The council will continue to hold quarterly meetings, serving as a forum for communication among the government, animal protection organizations, and the bullfighting industry. It will collect opinions from animal welfare groups and stakeholders to continuously work toward improved welfare for fighting bulls and fair, transparent management of bullfighting matches.

Lee Jaesik, Livestock Policy Director at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated, "For sound operation of bullfighting matches, it is essential to actively consider and address social demands," adding, "We hope this council will facilitate rational communication and lead to a broad social consensus."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.