Jeonnam Governor Candidate Kim Young-rok's 'Customized Animal Welfare Pledge' Draws Attention

Creation of Pet Theme Park and Cultural Center

Establishment of Infrastructure Including Shelter for Abandoned Animals

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Kim Young-rok, the Democratic Party candidate for Jeollanam-do governor, is attracting attention by announcing customized animal welfare pledges, including the creation of a ‘Pet Theme Park,’ a complex cultural space for companion animals.

On the 24th, Candidate Kim stated, “With 15 million pet owners in Korea, there is a growing demand for customized animal welfare policies for pet owners and their pets in Jeonnam as well. We will actively pursue various measures to resolve social issues caused by companion animals such as dogs and cats and link these efforts to Jeonnam’s tourism and cultural industries to revitalize them.”

To this end, Candidate Kim plans to build a ‘Pet Culture Center,’ a complex cultural space equipped with a pet experience learning center, education facilities, adoption center, and playground, along with a specialized facility called the ‘Pet Theme Park’ where pets can be walked, dine, stay, heal, and be laid to rest.

He also intends to expand the ‘Jeonnam Walking Travel Course,’ where people can freely walk and travel with their pets, and develop ‘Pet Tour’ product programs to foster a culture where pet owners and non-pet owners can enjoy and coexist together.

Additionally, considering the increasing problems of animal abuse and lost or abandoned animals, he plans to establish a foundation for treatment and management by expanding the ‘Companion and Abandoned Animal Public Clinic,’ first established in Damyang County, across Jeonnam regions.

Furthermore, he will establish animal welfare infrastructure such as support for ‘stray cat neutering surgery fees’ to prevent stray cat breeding and the development of a ‘pet registration system’ to easily reunite lost animals with their owners, thereby fostering a culture of respect for life and laying the groundwork for Jeonnam’s co-growth and development through the promotion of new animal welfare industries.

In particular, with the recent full enforcement of the revised ‘Animal Protection Act,’ he plans to strengthen the legal and institutional foundation to ensure systematic animal protection and welfare systems, including strict punishment for animal abuse violations.

Candidate Kim said, “As the pet market has recently grown rapidly, it is projected to reach a scale of 6 trillion won by 2027. Based on respect for life, we will prepare various foundations so that companion animals can coexist harmoniously with people and contribute to Jeonnam’s economic development.”