Democratic Party Announces Animal Welfare Pledges Including Easing Veterinary Costs for Companion Animals

Top 10 Pledges for the June 3 Local Elections

Enhancing Welfare for Non-Companion Animals

Establishing a Legal and Institutional Foundation for Animal Welfare

On May 20, the Democratic Party of Korea announced its animal welfare pledges for the June 3 local elections, aimed at creating a society where humans and animals coexist.

The Democratic Party's Policy Committee unveiled its "Top 10 Animal Welfare Pledges" at the National Assembly, focusing on three main areas: strengthening the protection of companion animals, enhancing welfare for non-companion animals, and establishing a framework for animal welfare laws and systems.

The core of the pledges is a "three-part package to reduce companion animal medical expenses," addressing the greatest concern for pet owners. The Democratic Party intends to introduce a system of standardized medical fees, initially applying it to publicly designated animal hospitals before expanding to private facilities. Simultaneously, the party will work to expand the scope of veterinary VAT exemptions and increase the number of publicly designated animal hospitals operated by local governments.

Regulations on "new types of pet shops" (adoption agencies disguised as animal shelters), which have recently become a social issue, will be significantly strengthened. The party plans to legislate against the use of business names that could mislead the public into confusing commercial facilities with shelters and strengthen penalties for violations.

Measures have also been prepared to protect animals left in welfare blind spots. The party will establish "municipal stray cat care centers" to oversee rescue, care, and adoption programs, thereby easing social conflicts. Additionally, support will be provided to improve the care environment for yard dogs in rural areas.

Furthermore, in response to recent animal escape incidents, the Democratic Party will implement assessments of habitat adequacy in zoos and aquariums. Outstanding public zoos will be designated as regional hubs to build an emergency protection system for wild animals.

The party also plans to promote the enactment of a "Basic Animal Welfare Act" to integrate the various animal-related laws currently dispersed across different ministries. This will strengthen the legal status of animals and introduce a ban on animal ownership for those convicted of animal abuse, thereby institutionalizing society’s evolving perspectives on animal welfare.

The Democratic Party stated that it will actively cooperate with the government to ensure the pledges are implemented in the field, supporting the enactment and revision of relevant laws and the allocation of necessary budgets.

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