Kim Geon-hee, who says "I can't sleep after watching Animal Farm"... Her unique journey of animal love

Well-Known Love for Animals... 11 Pets
Consistent Efforts for Animal Rights... Especially Emphasizing the End of Dog Meat Consumption

"When I see abuse scenes on the TV program Animal Farm, I can't sleep for three nights and four days."

This is a statement made by First Lady Kim Geon-hee, wife of President Yoon Suk-yeol, at a private dinner with animal protection organization officials last April. At the event, Mrs. Kim expressed her determination to end dog meat consumption by saying, "I will strive to end dog meat consumption within the government's term. I believe that is my duty."

Mrs. Kim's love for animals is well known. The Yoon Suk-yeol couple raises a total of 11 pets, including three abandoned dogs named Narae and Oli, and five cats. Mrs. Kim has consistently taken steps related to animal rights.

Among these, she has especially shown a strong will to end dog meat consumption. On the 30th, she visited a press conference held by the civic group "National Action to End Dog Meat Consumption" and said, "I will become friends with these people and continue to campaign and work hard until dog meat consumption is banned. I promise you."

Mrs. Kim said, "I believe everyone can empathize with how heartbreaking and desperate we are today," adding, "On one side, there are people who give everything to save small lives, while on the other side, there are animals dying in such cruel and truly unbearable ways." She continued, "This is an era where humans and animals must coexist," emphasizing, "I believe illegal dog meat consumption must absolutely disappear."

First Lady Kim Keon-hee, wife of President Yoon Suk-yeol, attended a press conference urging the end of dog meat consumption held at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 30th, showing a commemorative painting drawn on the back of her hand.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The issue of ending dog meat consumption has been discussed since the 1980s but remained a long-standing topic with little progress. However, as Mrs. Kim expressed her determination to ban dog meat consumption and strengthen animal rights protection, movements for related legislative amendments arose in the National Assembly.

Currently, numerous bills related to ending dog meat consumption, including special laws for banning dog meat and supporting business closures, as well as amendments to the Animal Protection Act, have been submitted to the National Assembly. On the 24th, 44 lawmakers from the ruling People Power Party, the Democratic Party, the Justice Party, and others launched a bipartisan parliamentary group for ending dog meat consumption and stated, "We will do our best to finalize the bills related to ending dog meat consumption by November."

On July 7th, Mrs. Kim also met with Dr. Jane Goodall, a world-renowned primatologist and environmental activist, to discuss the promotion of animal rights and ending dog meat consumption. During her state visit to the United States on April 26th (local time), she requested support for the movement to improve animal rights in Korea during a state dinner hosted by the White House, where she spoke with Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie.

In an interview with Seoul Shinmun on June 13th last year, Mrs. Kim also voiced her opinions on animal rights protection. She emphasized, "Among countries that have achieved economic growth, our country's Animal Protection Act is the weakest. If the punishment for abusers is strengthened and order is established, we can become a mature society."

Regarding the end of dog meat consumption, she said, "Among countries with significant economic scale, only our country and China consume dog meat. I believe universal culture should be shared with advanced countries," adding, "Ultimately, not eating dog meat is an expression of respect for the closest friend to humans and respect for life."