South Korean Lawmaker Calls for Government to Stop Bullfighting & Associated Betting

A South Korean lawmaker has hit out at traditional bullfighting and associated gambling programs, calling upon Seoul to “safely eliminate” the bloodsport.

The calls come from Son Sol, a member of the Progressive Party, the South Korean media outlet Newsmin reported. Son is the author of a private member’s bill that proposes a nationwide ban on bullfighting. She said allowing bullfights to continue runs against the spirit of South Korean animal rights laws.

“Putting bulls into combat for the sole purpose of gambling is itself an act of abuse under the Animal Protection Act,” Son said.

The bill is set for debate in the National Assembly amid growing concerns about the sport. Last year, a petition to ban bullfighting gathered over 50,000 signatures. Animal rights advocates also say too little is being done to stem the growth of illegal dogfighting and associated betting rings.

South Korean Bullfighting: Lawmaker Wants Ban

Bullfighting is a centuries-old folk sport that enjoys special protection in designated areas of the country under the 2002 Traditional Bullfighting Match Act.

Proponents say the sport must be preserved due to its long history and cultural value. However, anti-gambling advocates and animal rights campaigners say it is a cruel relic that has no place in the modern world.

South Korean bullfighting differs from the well-known Spanish sport that pits matadors against bulls. Instead, two bulls are forced to fight against one another in an arena.

Eleven South Korean regions retain bullfighting arenas, with bulls divided into three weight classes. The largest of these fight at weights of more than 1,200 kg.

Spectators place wagers on the outcomes of these contests, which can also end in a draw if bulls refuse to engage with one another.

The terms of the Traditional Bullfighting Match Act state that its purpose “is to contribute to the promotion of the development of rural areas.”

Its architects also said the act was intended to promote growth in South Korea’s livestock industry.

Critics Call for Regulators to Act

Son claimed that regulators are lax when it comes to enforcing gambling and animal welfare protocols at bullfighting venues.

“The Integrated Gambling Industry Supervision Committee is not conducting proper inspections at these sites,” she said. “The committee has recently conducted 1,000 horse racing inspections, but only 17 bullfighting inspections.”

The lawmaker claimed the government has also been negligent in its oversight. “Inspections have been limited to visiting stadiums to check that betting caps are in place. Regulators also simply check to verify there is no advertising at arenas that could encourage gambling,” she said.

While South Korean animal abuse laws are strict, Son said that the Traditional Bullfighting Match Act “makes an exception.”

“It simply says: ‘Let’s treat bullfighting as if it were not animal abuse,’” Son said.

The lawmaker explained she had seen evidence that bulls were administered with painkillers and stimulants before fights.

“It’s shocking that these drugs were used not for medical purposes, but to ensure that bulls participating in competitions feel neither discomfort nor fatigue,” she explained. “Bulls are being forced into combat without even feeling pain.”

Abuse Allegations

Son said that when drafting her bill, she initially considered calling on Seoul to ban gambling at bullfighting arenas or “considering other solutions besides a total ban.”

But as she conducted more research into the matter, Son said she had a change of heart.

“As bullfighting exploits animals for human entertainment, I felt the only solution was to stop the fighting,” Son said. “The very act of making an exception to animal cruelty laws is problematic.”

In July last year, an NGO named the Animal Liberation Wave released a report claiming that animal abuse in cattle breeding for bullfighting was “institutional.”

The NGO said bulls were abused “throughout their life cycles and in bullfighting competitions.” The body also said bullfighting associations functioned with “operational opacity.”