Lee Jae-myung Says "Animals Are Not Objects but Life"…Announces '8 Major Animal Protection Pledges'

Lee Jae-myung, Mayor of Seongnam City who declared his candidacy for the presidential election, announced eight major animal protection pledges on the 20th, stating "Animals are not objects but life, and their lives deserve to be respected."

Mayor Lee opened his remarks saying, "When I think of our 'Happiness,' which has become Seongnam City's beloved mascot, I have established these policies with sincerity, so I would appreciate it if you would examine them carefully."

The mayor said, "Happiness is an abandoned dog that was dramatically rescued just before being slaughtered at a commercial dog farm, following a report from a neighboring resident. Although we were unable to save Happiness's puppies, who were in the womb at the time, Happiness fortunately regained her life, and Seongnam City adopted her through the animal protection organization 'KARA.'"

The mayor noted, "Happiness accompanies me on foot patrols and serves as a promotional helper for abandoned dog adoption at various animal-related events, helping other abandoned dogs in similar circumstances."

The mayor also said, "Last December, Seongnam City signed a 'Moran Market Environmental Improvement Operational Agreement' with the Moran Livestock Market Merchants Association, pledging to end the confinement and slaughter of dogs at Moran Market and the business conversion of dog meat distributors."

The dog meat distribution issue at Moran Market, known as the nation's largest dog meat market, found a breakthrough after 50 years.

Additionally, Seongnam City has created dog parks in various locations along the Tancheon embankment and in Bundang Central Park, and last year held a 'Pet Festival' at Seongnam Sports Complex.

The mayor said, "As over 10 million households own pets, animals have become family members in this era," and explained that "Seongnam City's efforts are intended to raise awareness of animal protection and welfare and spread a culture of coexistence."

He continued, "Every time I watch SBS's 'Animal Farm' aired on Sunday mornings, I am heartbroken by the suffering animals," and pointed out that "abuse crimes in which animals are treated cruelly or regarded as objects continue to occur."

Furthermore, the mayor said, "Livestock infectious diseases such as avian influenza occur every year, but the national response level for both animal protection and avian influenza quarantine measures is very insufficient," and emphasized, "I will expand the animal protection policies implemented in Seongnam to the entire Republic of Korea to create a society where these lives are respected."

The following are the mayor's eight animal protection pledges.

▲Establish an animal quarantine and epidemiology agency and strengthen the capacity of local governments with specialized personnel (public veterinarians, etc.) to build a nationwide system for surveillance, quarantine, vaccination, and rapid response

▲Strengthen the effectiveness of animal registration systems (implementation of cat animal registration, standardization of internal chip insertion and nose print recognition, development of individual identification methods such as DNA testing and iris recognition)

▲Introduction of animal medical fee schedule and consideration of pet medical insurance system introduction

▲Direct operation of abandoned animal protection facilities by local governments

▲Encourage abandoned dog adoption ▲Ban illegal dog slaughter at traditional markets ▲Support national treasury budget for local governments to establish pet playgrounds and culture centers ▲Strengthen penalties for animal abuse