Controversy Over Animal Abuse by Taejong Yi Bang-won, Complainant Under Police Investigation

Seoul Mapo Police Station logo/Photo by Asia Economy DB

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] The police are conducting a complainant investigation on the 27th regarding the horse-riding accident scene in the KBS historical drama "Taejong Yi Bang-won."

The Mapo Police Station in Seoul announced that they have summoned Choi Min-kyung, Policy Action Team Leader of the animal rights group "KARA," who filed a complaint against the production team of "Taejong Yi Bang-won" for violating the Animal Protection Act, for questioning as a complainant this morning.

On the 20th, KARA filed a complaint against the drama's filming director and four "staff members of unknown identity" who pulled the rope that caused the horse to trip, on charges of violating the Animal Protection Act.

The organization released a video showing a scene from the filming site of "Taejong Yi Bang-won" last November, where a rope was tied to the horse's ankle to make it fall during the reenactment of Yi Seong-gye's horse-riding accident, raising suspicions of animal abuse.

KBS revealed and apologized about the horse's death about a week after filming, but animal rights groups submitted a complaint, claiming it appeared to be an intentional act of animal abuse.

The police plan to review whether to summon the production team for questioning after the complainant investigation.

Meanwhile, the police are considering whether to consolidate the case with a similar complaint filed at the Yeongdeungpo Police Station in Seoul for investigation.