Meets National Assembly committee chair to explain need for revision

Yeoncheon-gun Governor Kim Deok-hyeon (pictured, center) visited the National Assembly on Wednesday with lawmaker Kim Seong-won. He called for swift passage of a proposed amendment to the Animal Protection Act that would create a legal basis for supporting residents near public animal funeral facilities.

That day, Kim met with Seo Sam-seok, chair of the National Assembly's Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee, to explain the need for the amendment. He then delivered a formal petition.

Lawmaker Kim Seong-won introduced the amendment on Dec. 24, 2025. It aims to establish a legal basis for supporting residents near public animal funeral facilities, easing the opposition and conflict that often arise when such facilities are sited. It would also lay the groundwork for cooperation with local communities.

Yeoncheon-gun has been pursuing a memorial hall project in partnership with the Seoul Metropolitan Government under an MOU. But without a support system for residents near such facilities, the county has struggled to win them over and advance the project, despite it being publicly led.

In response, Yeoncheon-gun held multiple meetings with residents to gather on-site feedback. After the bill was introduced, the county held a resident briefing on Feb. 3 this year to explain its purpose and the proposed support measures for residents. The briefing drew a positive response from the community.

At the meeting, Committee Chair Seo, lawmaker Kim Seong-won and Governor Kim agreed that swift passage of the bill is essential. With the number of households raising pets nearing 15 million nationwide, they said it would help foster a mature, publicly led pet culture and ensure cooperation with residents.

Kim Seok-in, Yeoncheon-gun's future strategy officer, said, "If the Animal Protection Act amendment passes the National Assembly, it will become easier to secure sites for public animal funeral facilities nationwide, setting a model case for spreading a healthy pet culture and fostering cooperation with local communities." He added, "We will do our best to ensure the bill bears fruit as soon as possible."

The amendment was referred to the agriculture committee's bill review subcommittee in March and is currently undergoing clause-by-clause review.


pjh@heraldcorp.com