Gov’t to review Cheongdo bullfighting over animal abuse concerns

Bulls lock horns in a match in Cheongdo, North Gyeongsang Province, March 21, 2021. Newsis

Bullfighting in Cheongdo, North Gyeongsang Province, is facing new government scrutiny as criticism mounts that the practice amounts to animal abuse, putting a decades-old and lucrative local attraction under renewed pressure over animal welfare concerns.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said Sunday it will conduct a review of the Cheongdo Public Business Corporation, which runs the Cheongdo Bullfighting Festival.

The ministry said it would also strengthen oversight of bullfighting operations with Cheongdo County, including reviewing registered fighting bulls, introducing a nose-pattern identification system, convening an external panel of experts to improve animal welfare and tightening controls on the issuance of betting tickets.

The annual festival in the southeastern county, held since 1999, features bouts between two bulls. Although the origins of bullfighting in Korea are unclear, the practice was largely banned during the 1910-45 Japanese occupation of the peninsula, citing concerns about large public gatherings.

Revived after liberation and later formalized, the Cheongdo Bullfighting Festival drew nearly 390,000 visitors in 2024 and generated 30.4 billion won ($20.6 million) in sales, according to the corporation.

The festival, typically held in March or April, was postponed last year after its funding was cut in response to a public backlash, then went ahead in November after receiving a supplementary budget.

Despite its commercial success, bullfighting in Cheongdo has long drawn animal abuse complaints.

Last month, the Daegu branch of the Green Party Korea urged the corporation to end bullfighting, calling it “the height of disregard for life.”

“Behind claims of preserving tradition and boosting the local economy lies merciless greed that turns living beings into tools for profit,” the party said in a statement.

It also accused organizers of forcing injured or disabled bulls to fight, alleging that painkillers and metabolic stimulants are routinely used to hide their suffering.

Last November, Rep. Son Sol of the left-leaning Progressive Party introduced, as lead sponsor, a bill to repeal the law governing traditional bullfighting, aiming to ban bullfighting-related gambling and place fighting bulls under the Animal Protection Act.

By law, injuring animals for gambling or entertainment is considered abuse, but bullfighting conducted under the Traditional Bullfighting Match Act is exempt.

The agriculture ministry said it will take strong action against bull abuse, including excessive drug use and forcing injured bulls to compete, offenses punishable by up to two years in prison or up to 20 million won in fines.

“To pursue constructive reforms to Cheongdo bullfighting, we will form a consultative body bringing together stakeholders, including fighting-bull farmers, Cheongdo County and animal protection groups, to develop additional measures,” the ministry said.

Bullfighting in Cheongdo is held year-round, and not limited to the annual festival. This season opens Saturday, with 12 matches scheduled each weekend day, totaling 1,224 bouts.

The matches take place at the Cheongdo Bullfighting Stadium, the country’s only domed venue for the sport, with seating for 11,245 spectators.