
16/09/2025
A bill introduced in June by Rep. Lee Sung-yoon would amend South Korea’s Animal Protection Act to allow euthanized animals from shelters to be used for veterinary education and research, instead of being disposed of or cremated as is currently required. Supporters, including the Korean Veterinary Medical Association, argue it could address the shortage of cadavers for anatomy classes, reduce costs, and cut back on the use of live animals in experiments. But animal rights groups strongly oppose it, saying it undermines the dignity of abandoned animals, could lead shelters to euthanize animals unnecessarily, as well as contradict other sections of the law, and violates ethical principles (like the 3Rs: Replacement, Reduction, Refinement).
A proposed amendment to Korea’s Animal Protection Act that would permit animal shelters to provide euthanized animals for veterinary research and e...