[On-site Video] "Stray Cats in Redevelopment Areas Must Not Die"... Animal Protection Groups Urge Local Governments to Take Measures

[Asia Economy PD Yoon Jin-geun] Animal rights organizations, including the Korea Animal Protection Union, held a press conference on the 15th in front of the main gate of Seoul City Hall demanding the guarantee of survival rights for stray cats.

Participants in the rally wore cat masks and held signs with phrases such as "We want to live too" and "No to live burial." They also shouted slogans like "Guarantee the survival rights of stray cats in redevelopment areas." They raised their voices saying, "Due to redevelopment and reconstruction, countless stray cats become orphans overnight, suffer from injuries caused by debris or fragments, starve, or get crushed to death," adding, "Some cats are even buried alive."

On the 15th, in front of the main gate of Seoul City Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul, the Korea Animal Protection Alliance and others urged Seoul City and local governments to establish measures to protect stray cats living in redevelopment and reconstruction areas. Participants in the rally are shouting slogans demanding "Guarantee the right to survival for stray cats in redevelopment areas." Photo by Yoon Jin-geun PD

The organizations also argued that failing to capture and rescue stray cats before construction constitutes "animal abuse." Article 8 of the current Animal Protection Act considers acts that cause death to animals without justifiable reason or cause animals to die cruelly as animal abuse.

They warned that such acts "can be punished by up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won," and insisted that stray cats must be rescued in advance at construction sites.

On the 15th, in front of the main gate of Seoul City Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul, the Korea Animal Protection Alliance and others urged local governments including Seoul City to establish measures to protect stray cats living in redevelopment and reconstruction areas. Lee Won-bok, the representative of the Korea Animal Protection Alliance, wearing a cat mask, is pointing to a placard that reads "Guarantee the right to survival!" Photo by Yoon Jin-geun PD

Lee Won-bok, the representative of the Korea Animal Protection Union, asserted that construction companies and local governments must safely protect stray cats in danger. He said, "More than 10,000 redevelopment and reconstruction projects take place nationwide every year," and added, "Stray cats should be relocated to safe areas and their survival rights guaranteed."

Having actually rescued stray cats at demolition sites, Lee mentioned that demolition sites before reconstruction are especially harsh environments for stray cats. Recalling past rescue sites, he said, "Large building walls had completely collapsed, and stray cats were being crushed and buried alive in holes between asphalt," adding, "They walk on glass shards, metal pieces, and broken stones."

Lee emphasized that local governments, construction companies, and animal organizations must cooperate to reduce the suffering of stray cats during reconstruction. He said, "Cats must be safely captured and released in new areas," and added, "Local governments, developers, cat caretakers, and animal organizations need to work together in coordination."