South Korea - The Korea Times

12 farmed bears rescued under bear farming ban, but many still have nowhere to go

Twelve Asiatic black bears bred for bile extraction have been rescued by civic groups in the first such action since Korea’s bear farming ban took effect, but uncertainty remains over where to house them. Four civic organizations, including the Korean Animal Welfare Association, said Tuesday that they signed a purchase agreement on Aug. 7 with a farm in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province, to take in 12 farmed bears. The groups, however, warned that roughly half of the 240 bears still on farms have nowhere to go because government facilities can only house about 120 to 130 animals, calling for urgent measures. Bear farming, launched as a government policy in 1981, will officially end in December under a revision to the Wildlife Protection and Management Act passed in December 2023. But rescues have been slow. Under a 2022 agreement between the government and civic groups, the groups handle bear purchases, while the government builds shelters. Yet negotiations with farms have stalled due to disagreements over price. The capacity problem also remains acute. Even after the new shelters in Seocheo

Aug 13, 2025By Hankookilbo

12 farmed bears rescued under bear farming ban, but many still have nowhere to go

Is your cat 'ddungnyang'? Cute chub might hide health concerns

In Korea, many pet owners delight in ‘ddungnyangs’ — chubby cats whose round faces, waddling walks and overflowing charm fill social feeds and hearts alike. But behind the fluff and the memes lies a growing concern. Feline obesity is emerging as a silent epidemic, not only affecting the cats themselves but also reflecting emotional and societal patterns that influence the life of owners, too. Growing concern Globally, between 30 to 60 percent of pet cats are estimated to be overweight or obese. In the U.S., a 2022 survey by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention reported that 61 percent of cats fell into this category. Korea appears to be following a similar trend, especially in urban settings where pet cats live almost exclusively indoors. In high-rise apartments across Seoul, cats lead peaceful, well-fed lives — yet veterinary professionals warn that too much comfort may come at a cost. “Over 50 percent of the cats we see are either overweight or obese,” said Cho Yoon-ju, research director of the VIP Animal Medical Center Seongbuk branch in Seoul during a phone interview

Aug 12, 2025By Kim Min-ji

Is your cat 'ddungnyang'? Cute chub might hide health concerns

Love for pets, cost to Earth: hidden plastic footprint of pet ownership in Korea

As nearly one in four Korean households now include a companion animal, a quiet environmental crisis is taking shape behind the scenes. The booming pet care industry — projected to surpass $3.6 billion by 2024 — is generating an ever-increasing mountain of plastic waste. From food packaging to disposable waste bags and plastic toys, the environmental cost of loving pets often goes unnoticed, overshadowed by the affection and joy these animals provide. With rising global awareness of sustainability and plastic pollution, Korea finds itself facing a troubling regulatory gap as pet-related plastic products continue to be largely excluded from existing environmental laws and recycling schemes. This blind spot not only burdens consumers but risks undermining national efforts at waste reduction and a sustainable economy. It is time to bring this hidden issue to light and align Korea’s pet culture with the planet’s urgent need for care. This is because anyone choosing to share life with an animal companion should be mindful, not just of affection for the pet, but responsibility for the

Aug 11, 2025By Kim Min-ji

Love for pets, cost to Earth: hidden plastic footprint of pet ownership in Korea

Korea releases 30 endangered red foxes into wild to aid population recovery

The Korea National Park Service (KNPS) said Thursday that it has released 30 red foxes into the Mount Sobaek region as part of a long-term restoration project for the endangered species. Red foxes were once commonly seen across Korea, but their population declined sharply in the 1970s due to widespread poisoning during a national rodent extermination campaign. Since 2012, the KNPS has been working to reintroduce and stabilize red fox populations in Mount Sobaek National Park. Of the 30 foxes released this week, 90 percent are 1-year-olds born last year. The soft-release process involves gradually opening the gates of the acclimatization facility to minimize stress and allow the animals to adapt to the environment on their own. It is expected to take about 10 days for all of them to fully exit the facility. Red foxes are mid-level predators that roam long distances and typically inhabit low mountain areas. They help maintain ecosystem balance by feeding on small animals such as rodents, birds, frogs and snakes. While their maximum lifespan in the wild is estimated at nine years, few surviv

Aug 8, 2025By Hankookilbo

Korea releases 30 endangered red foxes into wild to aid population recovery

Saying goodbye to beloved pet? 5 pet funeral services near Seoul

As more people embrace pets as life companions, the need for dignified and heartfelt ways to say goodbye has grown. In Korea, pet funerals are no longer a niche offering. From traditional cremation to artificial intelligence (AI)-powered memorials, the industry is evolving to reflect the deep emotional bond between humans and their pets. However, navigating what to do after a pet passes away can be confusing for many owners. Under Korea’s Waste Management Act, animal remains are classified as household waste. Improper burial or cremation outside of authorized facilities can lead to fines of up to 1 million won ($720). While some may dispose of remains using designated garbage bags or through veterinary clinics, an increasing number of owners are turning to certified pet funeral services. Though Seoul currently lacks licensed animal crematoriums, there are several professional pet funeral homes just outside the city in Gyeonggi Province. These facilities offer accessible, compassionate and often 24/7 services to support grieving families. Here are some notable pet funeral service provid

Aug 8, 2025By Youn Ye-jin

Saying goodbye to beloved pet? 5 pet funeral services near Seoul

Climate change drives up shark activity off Korea’s east coast

The iconic line from the 1975 film “Jaws” — “You’re gonna need a bigger boat!” — is taking on new resonance in Korea. Rising sea temperatures, a result of climate change, have led to a sharp increase in shark sightings along the nation's east coast. The National Institute of Fisheries Science (NIFS) reports a significant rise in shark activity, with the number of sharks hauled in by fishing boats as unintended catch in the East Sea climbing from just one in 2022 to 44 last year. As of late July, 22 additional cases have already been reported this year. The increase has provoked unease in coastal communities, particularly as more visitors venture into open waters during the summer holiday season. In response, local governments are stepping up safety measures. For the first time, Gangwon Province allocated 45 million won ($32,500) this year to install protective nets at 14 major beaches along the East Sea. The nets are intended to keep sharks, jellyfish and other marine threats away from people in the water. The east coast city of Gangneung has also deployed shark deterrent d

Aug 8, 2025By Park Ung

Climate change drives up shark activity off Korea’s east coast

Nation braces for more torrential rains

Another round of heavy rains is expected to drench the nation this week, with downpours of more than 120 millimeters expected in some parts of the country, the weather agency said Wednesday. Northeastern areas of Gyeonggi Province and northern parts of Gangwon Province saw more than 80 mm of downpours Wednesday morning, with rainclouds forecast to travel southward in the afternoon, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). Around 30 to 100 mm of rain was expected in the greater Seoul area and parts of Gangwon Province and 30 to 80 mm in the provinces of Chungcheong and the country's southern regions, including Jeju Island, through Thursday. According to forecasts, southeastern parts of Gyeonggi, southern inland parts of Gangwon and the southern provinces of Jeolla could receive over 120 mm of rain. The KMA cautioned against using roads near streams as they could suddenly swell from the downpours. With rain expected to soak the nation, the daily high Wednesday is expected to reach 28 to 34 degrees Celsius.

Aug 6, 2025By Yonhap

Korea registers 2nd hottest July on record

Korea experienced its second hottest July on record this year as sweltering heat waves and tropical nights gripped the nation, the weather agency said Tuesday. The average nationwide temperature last month stood at 27.1 degrees Celsius, marking the second-highest ever for July since nationwide weather observations began in 1973, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). The nation experienced its hottest July in 1994, when the average temperature reached 27.7 degrees. Last month, the country reported 14.5 days of heat waves — when the daily maximum temperature exceeds 33 degrees — marking the third most for July, behind 17.7 days in 1994 and 15.4 days in 2018. Korea also recorded 6.7 tropical nights last month, marking the fourth most on record. The country began seeing high temperatures in early July, driven by the earlier-than-usual influence of the North Pacific high-pressure system. It suffered more heat waves toward the end of the month due to the dual influences of the North Pacific high and the Tibetan high. The nation experienced heavy downpours between the he

Aug 5, 2025By Yonhap

Korea registers 2nd hottest July on record

Thousands evacuated after heavy rains inundate southern regions

Thousands were forced to evacuate after heavy rains overnight pounded the nation's southern regions, leaving one dead and eight others injured, authorities said Monday. A total of 2,559 people took refuge in the southern county of Sancheong due to the downpours that the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) described as a once-in-200-years event. The KMA estimated that southern parts of the country received rainfall of about 50 to 200 millimeters from Sunday to 7 a.m. Monday, with 250 mm of precipitation in some coastal areas of South Jeolla Province. A 60-something man was found dead Sunday night after being swept by a torrent in the southwestern county of Muan, while eight others were injured the same day in a highway accident in nearby Damyang after a vehicle skidded into a traffic barrier due to the downpours. The disaster headquarters raised its emergency response operation level by one notch to Level 2 at 11 p.m. Sunday due to the heavy rains. The Korea Meteorological Administration forecast heavy rain nationwide Monday, with downpours set to continue in South Gyeongsang and nea

Aug 4, 2025By Yonhap

Thousands evacuated after heavy rains inundate southern regions

Heat-related death toll rises to 19 amid extreme heat wave

A total of 19 people have died from heat-related illnesses in Korea so far this year as the country endured severe heat waves, health authorities said Sunday. More than 3,100 patients had visited emergency rooms for heat-related conditions as of Wednesday since mid-May, when authorities launched the heat-related illness surveillance system, and 19 have died, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). Compared with the same period last year, the number of patients and deaths have more than doubled, it added. Among the patients reported this year, heat exhaustion, commonly known as sunstroke, accounted for 61.3 percent, followed by heat stroke at 16.2 percent and heat cramps at 12.8 percent. By age group, those aged 65 and older accounted for 31.9 percent of the total patients, the KDCA said.

Aug 3, 2025By Yonhap

Environment & Animals