"Please Create a Korea Where Both People and Animals Are Happy" Lee Jaemyung Receives Letter from Tori and Mungchi

"Please create a Korea where both people and animals can be happy. From Tori and Mungchi."

Yonhap News

On May 30, Lee Jaemyung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, received a sign with this message written on it from the guardian of two dogs, Tori and Mungchi, who live in Gangwon Province, before starting his campaign speech at the plaza in front of Chuncheon Station in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province. Lee hugged Tori and Mungchi, who were brought onto the stage, and then held up the sign for a commemorative photo together.

Immediately after the campaign event, Kim Hanna, spokesperson for the Democratic Party's Central Election Committee, stated in a written briefing, "Candidate Lee and the Democratic Party will create a country where people and animals can be happy together, and will make Korea a leading nation in animal welfare."

Kim pointed out, "In an era with 15 million pet owners, companion animals have come to be recognized as precious family members and daily companions who share our lives. However, social issues such as animal abuse and abandonment, as well as conflicts between pet owners and non-pet owners, and between people and animals, still persist." She added, "Now is the time to reduce these conflicts and move toward a path of coexistence where both people and animals can be happy."

She stated, "We will reduce the burden of pet care costs by introducing a standard fee system and promoting insurance, and we will go beyond simple protection to realize a policy paradigm centered on animal welfare from a life-cycle perspective."

She continued, "By restricting ownership and breeding rights of those who commit animal abuse, we will prevent animal abuse and abandonment, and establish a responsible and healthy pet culture. We will also expand support for animal welfare-certified livestock farms to protect both farmers and animals, and improve management systems for zoo, laboratory, service, and leisure animals."

She concluded, "The small happiness of companion animals fills the lives of their families with joy and brings warmth to our society. We will practice the value of coexistence where both people and animals can be happy, and, together with the people, move toward becoming a true advanced nation in animal welfare?a 'real Korea.'"