Blue House, on 'Cat Abuse' Punishment Petition: "Expanding Institutional Measures for Animal Protection"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The Blue House responded on the 23rd to three petitions related to animal abuse, stating that it will "expand institutional measures for animal protection."

The petitions answered by the Blue House were three in total: 'Establishing animal protection measures during broadcast filming,' 'Demanding strict punishment for cat abusers,' and 'Closing cat abuse galleries and preventing recurrence.' The respondents to the petitions were Kim Chang-ryong, Standing Commissioner of the Korea Communications Commission, and Kim Jong-hoon, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

The Blue House said, "The government feels a heavy responsibility regarding the reality that animal abuse crimes, such as cruelly killing precious lives or posting related videos on the internet, have not been eradicated in our society," adding, "Although social awareness of animal rights has greatly improved compared to before, we fully empathize with the public’s concerns about the ongoing threats to animal life and safety."

It continued, "More attention and effort will be needed to treat animals as dignified living beings with the right to be protected," and stated, "The government will expand institutional measures for animal protection and strive to improve existing systems to align with social trends."

Specifically, regarding the petition 'Demanding animal protection measures during broadcast filming,' it said, "a public-private consultative body consisting of about 20 experts and related ministries, including the Korea Communications Commission, was formed, and the first meeting was held on the 2nd of this month." It added, "Through discussions in the consultative body, analysis of foreign cases, and research projects, we plan to prepare guidelines containing basic principles and compliance requirements to be considered on filming sites within the first half of this year."

Regarding the petition 'Demanding strict punishment for cat abusers,' it responded, "The suspect was recognized for the charges and was sent to the prosecution without detention," adding, "We hope that through the trial, the suspect who cruelly killed the animal will receive appropriate punishment under the strengthened Animal Protection Act."

Regarding the petition 'Closing cat abuse galleries and preventing recurrence,' it emphasized, "Currently, an animal rights organization has filed a complaint against the unidentified suspect who committed abuse in the gallery and the site operator, and an investigation is underway," adding, "A strict investigation will be conducted regarding acts related to animal abuse."