Conflicts grow over construction of animal crematoriums

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By Jun Ji-hye

With the increasing number of people living with companion animals in Korea, funeral services for pets ― mostly dogs and cats ― have been drawing increasing attention from bereaved owners who want to send off their beloved animals the same way they would their human family members.

This has pushed up the demand for animal crematoriums, and also become a cause of conflict between related businesses and local residents nationwide.

Some 300 residents living in Changpyeong-ri of Gunwi, North Gyeongsang Province, are moving to submit their petition to a company to request the cancellation of a construction plan for an animal crematorium in the region.

The company has received a building permit from Gunwi County to construct the crematorium covering 655 square meters, slightly smaller than a standard tennis court.

The county initially refused to issue the permit, but lost to the company in a legal battle.

“Local residents are worried about particles and bad smells possibly caused by the crematorium,” said Kim Dong-soo, the head of Changpyeong-ri village. “If the company begins construction despite our opposition, we will hold a rally in front of the construction site in addition to submitting our petition.”

Similarly, a plan pushed for by Daegu's Dalseong County to construct a crematorium and storage facility for animal remains has remained largely dormant due to opposition from local residents.

The county originally planned to hold an information session last Thursday on the creation of a companion animal theme park that includes funeral facilities in Jamo-ri, but the session could not proceed due to protests by local residents.

In January, a company filed a lawsuit against Gwangju's Gwangsan District Office, as the office refused to issue a permit for the company to change the zoning of an office building to be used as a crematorium for animals.

Last July, some 30 local residents in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, held a rally in front of Yongin City Hall to protest a company's plan to convert a factory into a crematorium for animals.

In February last year, a company had to retract its plan to construct a crematorium for animals in Chilgok County, North Gyeongsang Province, as it lost in a lawsuit with the local government in the Supreme Court.

At the time, the court cited concerns that the facility could damage the environment for local residents and disrupt the education of students in nearby schools.

Animal rights groups said the country should evolve more, as over 10 million of the 51 million population live with companion animals.

“The demand for animal crematoriums has increased consistently year after year,” said Shim In-seop who heads Life, an animal rights group. “Both central and local governments should consider ways of resolving opposition from local residents. Installing animal crematoriums within public crematoriums could be one option.”