15 Million Companion Animal Owners... Which Candidate Will Win the Pet Owners' Votes?

"I'm planning to vote for the president who will reduce the surgery costs for our 'Choco's' patellar luxation." (A citizen of Jeonju, who was out walking with their dog 'Choco' in Hanok Village, Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do, on the 16th)

The number of people raising companion animals in Korea has reached 15 million. This means that more than one out of every four citizens lives with a companion animal such as a dog or a cat. Ahead of the 21st presidential election, major candidates are actively presenting related pledges.

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate (left in the photo), receiving a dog from a citizen in the Gyeongbuk area on the 9th, and Kim Moon-soo, the People Power Party presidential candidate, holding a dog during his visit to an animal hospital in Daegu on the 12th. Photos from Lee's Facebook and the People Power Party campaign media promotion team.

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On the morning of the 21st, Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, announced his companion animal pledges through social media, stating, "Veterinary expenses account for 40% of the average monthly cost of raising a pet," and added, "Given the significant financial burden, I will introduce a standardized fee system and establish standard treatment procedures to lower the cost of veterinary care." To achieve this, he proposed increasing pet registration rates, activating insurance systems, and expanding exemptions from value-added tax on veterinary expenses.

Lee also said, "We must move toward animal welfare that recognizes animals not simply as objects of protection, but as beings whose health, nutrition, safety, and habits should be respected throughout their life cycle," and pledged to enact a 'Basic Animal Welfare Act' and establish an 'Animal Welfare Promotion Agency.' He also promised to introduce an 'Animal Ownership Ban System,' which would prohibit those who have committed animal abuse from keeping animals for a certain period.

Other pledges included: ▲ improving the welfare of farm animals and animals in zoos, laboratories, volunteer work, and leisure activities ▲ expanding support for animal welfare-certified farms ▲ providing direct payments to farms that implement animal welfare guidelines by livestock type ▲ strengthening the wildlife protection and education functions of public zoos ▲ enacting the 'Animal Alternative Testing Promotion Act' to reduce the sacrifice of laboratory animals ▲ improving the welfare of service animals such as 119 rescue dogs and supporting their adoption after retirement.

On the same day, Kim Moon-soo, the People Power Party presidential candidate, announced a 'Companion Animal Policy' that includes standardizing all medical service items at animal hospitals and mandating the online posting of costs. The People Power Party's Policy Headquarters explained, "We will significantly reduce the burden so that people no longer have to anxiously receive receipts at animal hospitals."

Other pledges included: ▲ diversifying pet insurance products ▲ supporting psychological treatment for overcoming pet loss syndrome ▲ expanding the creation of pet parks and pet cafes ▲ expanding the operation of companion animal boarding facilities ▲ supporting the adoption of abandoned animals ▲ expanding support for the neutering of stray cats ▲ establishing a permit system for raising dangerous dogs (including requirements for animal registration, liability insurance, and relaxed neutering requirements) ▲ sharing and spreading 'petiquette' culture, such as the use of muzzles.

As for Lee Jun-seok, the Reform Party presidential candidate, his pledges for this election have not yet included companion animal-related content. However, last year he was the lead sponsor of a partial amendment to the 'Animal Protection Act,' which focused on strengthening the obligation to manage companion animals, such as requiring leashes. At the time of proposing the amendment, Lee said, "Since accidents caused by unleashed companion animals occur frequently, it not only causes conflicts among pet owners but also creates considerable concern for parents raising young children." Reported by Moon Hye-won

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