'Animal Version of n번방' Killing Stray Cats and Laughing... Over 250,000 Agree to Petition for Punishment of Open Chat Room

Photos and videos showing abuse of stray cats have been shared in a KakaoTalk open chat room, causing controversy. Photo by Instagram capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Hana Na] More than 250,000 people have agreed to a Blue House national petition demanding an investigation and punishment of participants in an online group chat room (KakaoTalk open chat room) where videos and photos showing the cruel abuse and killing of stray cats were shared.

The petition titled 'Investigate and punish the open KakaoTalk room that cruelly abuses cats' posted on the Blue House national petition board on the 7th has gained over 251,500 supporters as of 2 p.m. on the 17th. When a petition receives more than 200,000 signatures, responses can be expected from relevant ministries, agency heads, or senior Blue House officials such as secretaries and advisors.

The petitioner appealed, "These devils kill stray cats just because they dislike their meowing, take photos to boast about it, and laugh wickedly," adding, "Is this what humans should do to poor stray cats? Please isolate these devils from society."

They further criticized, "Why is it that even such a simple strengthening of the Animal Protection Act cannot be achieved?" and urged, "Please do not turn a blind eye to these poor lives cast out onto the streets."

Earlier, on the 6th, a post appeared on the social networking service Instagram stating, "There are people abusing stray cats in an open KakaoTalk room." According to the author, participants in an anonymously operated open KakaoTalk room called 'Gore Specialist Room' shared numerous photos and videos of abusing or killing stray cats. One participant shot a stray cat with an arrow, killed it, and shared a photo of the cat’s skull in the chat room.

The video attached to the post showed a black cat trapped in a metal cage someone had set up on the street, struggling to escape. The man filming the video was heard laughing wickedly.

The chat room screenshots posted alongside contained abnormal conversations such as "I tormented and ate a cat" and "I have sexual desires to sexually assault women."

The author appealed, "The laughter is chilling. Is it acceptable to commit such acts believing anonymity is guaranteed in an open KakaoTalk room?" and urged, "Please do not just read and move on from this incident; let us unite and bring this issue to public attention."

As the controversy grew, with the case being called the "Animal version of the nth room," Animal Freedom Union and animal rights group 'Kara' filed complaints with the police on the 8th and 13th respectively, accusing the chat room participants of violating the Animal Protection Act and the Wildlife Management and Protection Act. The police have now launched a full-scale investigation, including applying for warrants to identify the individuals who abused animals in the chat room.