Minister of Environment Han Jeong-ae (left) is visiting actress Lee Yong-nyeo's animal shelter to assist with fire recovery. Photo by Tinkerbell Project Provided. Image source: Yonhap News.
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Hana] Han Jeong-ae, Minister of Environment known as an animal lover, quietly visited the abandoned (lost) animal shelter of actress Lee Yong-nyeo, who suffered fire damage, and volunteered, drawing attention.
According to the animal protection organization Tinkerbell Project on the 7th, Minister Han visited the abandoned animal shelter in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, managed by Lee the day before and volunteered for about three hours. After comforting Lee, Minister Han wore a mask and gloves and cleaned up the fire debris.
Lee’s shelter suffered a fire at the end of last month, resulting in the death of eight abandoned dogs, destruction of kennels and part of the building, with damages estimated at about 29.61 million KRW (according to the fire department).
Minister of Environment Han Jeong-ae (second from left) is visiting actress Lee Yong-nyeo's (right) animal shelter to assist with fire recovery. March 7, 2021 [Provided by Tinkerbell Project] [Image source=Yonhap News]
After finishing the work, Minister Han met and talked with Hwang Dong-yeol, CEO of Tinkerbell Project, and Yoo Ju-yeon, CEO of Nabiya Saranghae.
CEO Hwang said, "Minister Han established ties with animal protection organizations during the 2016 campaign to amend the Animal Protection Act, and at that time, she also went to watch a play performed by actress Lee Yong-nyeo together. I understand that she came to comfort after learning about the fire this time."
Earlier, just before her appointment as minister in December last year, Minister Han proposed an amendment to the Animal Protection Act, known as the so-called 'dog meat ban law.'
CEO Hwang added, "Since the Animal Protection Act falls under the jurisdiction of the Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee, Minister Han said she had many exchanges with Lee Gae-ho, chairman of the committee, regarding the amendment. We expect the amendment to pass next year, and even if it does not, she promised to continue working for its passage after returning to the National Assembly following her ministerial term."
The Tinkerbell Project visited the site with its members to help with fire recovery and donated home appliances worth about 7 million KRW, including refrigerators.
Meanwhile, Lee has been protecting abandoned dogs in Hanam, Gyeonggi Province, at her own expense for 13 years and moved to Pocheon about four years ago to care for abandoned dogs. The shelter she manages is a private shelter protecting 120 abandoned dogs on the verge of euthanasia.
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