The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission Seeks Solutions for Deer Damage on Anma Island

Preparation of Measures for Handling Abandoned Livestock

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission has prepared a 'Plan for Handling Unauthorized Abandoned Livestock' and has taken steps to resolve the deer damage on Anmado Island in Yeonggwang, Jeollanam-do.

Deer on Anmado Island, Yeonggwang-gun, Jeollanam-do.
[Photo by Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission]

Kim Taegyu, Vice Chairman of the Commission, stated at a briefing at the Government Sejong Complex on the morning of the 16th, "On the 8th, we held a plenary committee meeting and decided to express opinions on institutional improvements regarding the handling of unauthorized abandoned livestock. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Environment have expressed their willingness to actively accept these measures."

In July of last year, 593 residents of Yeonggwang-gun, Jeollanam-do, filed a complaint demanding measures to resolve the damage and prevent recurrence, stating that "hundreds of deer abandoned without owners have rapidly increased on island areas such as Anmado in Yeonggwang-gun, causing damage not only to the island's ecosystem but also to crops and ancestral graves."

The Commission, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Ministry of Environment conducted fact-finding investigations, including two visits to Anmado. It is estimated that there were no deer on Anmado in the past, but in the mid to late 1980s, a livestock farmer abandoned about ten deer on Anmado, which is believed to be the origin. Currently, with no one claiming ownership, the deer population has grown to hundreds, spreading not only on Anmado but also to nearby islands such as Seokmando.

The Ministry of Environment plans to investigate the actual damage to residents and ecological disruption caused by the Anmado deer and will take follow-up measures, including designating them as legally managed animals. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will mandate the disposal of livestock upon cancellation of livestock farming registration or business closure under the Livestock Act to prevent recurrence of similar cases, and will introduce regulations to punish abandonment of livestock. Yeonggwang-gun, Jeollanam-do, will conduct livestock epidemic inspections to safely remove the Anmado deer from the island if necessary.

Vice Chairman Kim emphasized, "This issue had long been in a blind spot due to differences in positions among related agencies, but this complaint is meaningful as it promotes systematic response and institutional improvement." He added, "We will continue to identify unresolved issues caused by differences in positions between ministries or local governments, mediate and coordinate them, and seek solutions."