Gangwon to Invest 43.8 Billion Won in Animal Quarantine, Protection, and Hygiene... Aims to Solidify Status as Livestock Disease-Free Zone

Blocking Livestock Diseases, Strengthening Animal Welfare, and Ensuring Livestock Product Safety
Gangwon's Vision for Animal Welfare in 2026

Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Governor Kim Jin-tae) announced that in 2026, it will invest a total project budget of 43.8 billion won in the fields of animal quarantine, companion animal protection and welfare, and livestock product hygiene and safety. The main focus will be on maintaining the region's status as free from livestock infectious diseases, strengthening animal protection and welfare, and achieving zero safety incidents related to livestock products.

A panoramic view of Gangwon Provincial Government Building. Provided by Gangwon Provincial Government.

Specifically, in the field of animal quarantine, a total of 36.8 billion won will be allocated for establishing a permanent quarantine system, including 10.9 billion won for supporting livestock disease prevention medicines such as vaccines for livestock farms, and 5.4 billion won for operating control posts and supporting disinfection costs. In the companion animal sector, 3.6 billion won will be invested to establish a comprehensive Gangwon-style welfare system for companion animals, including 3 billion won for the rescue and protection of abandoned and lost animals, and 500 million won for the creation of companion animal culture, such as installing playgrounds for pets.

For the livestock product sector, 3.4 billion won will be invested to provide safe food for residents, including 2.1 billion won for the safety management of distributed meat and eggs, and 1.3 billion won for supporting livestock product testing and equipment purchases.

In particular, this year, new projects will be launched to strengthen livestock disease management and foster a mature companion animal culture. These include the 'private institution foot-and-mouth disease antibody testing' (200 million won), 'goat disease prevention support' (70 million won), and the 'companion animal citizen school' (50 million won).

Governor Kim Jin-tae stated, "In 2026, we will continue to prevent the occurrence of social disaster-type livestock infectious diseases such as African swine fever, as we did in 2025, through thorough preventive quarantine and swift response. In line with the increasing trend of pet ownership, we will do our utmost to establish a healthy companion animal culture that resonates with all residents and to ensure the supply of clean and highly reliable livestock products."