2011
***To encourage dialogue in regard to this new momentum, this page will allow comments.
Image by eco-artist "Lupe", 2009
Understanding the tabled bill, Farm Bear Management, Special Law
Translation aid courtesy of moonbears.org
Korean law remains complex and difficult for native speakers, never mind those of us seeking to understand it in other languages. Below is a summary of the bill’s key components.
The bill has 4 main objectives :
A. Cessation of breeding policy starts within 6 months from the day this law passes
B. Bear cubs born within 6 months after this law passes cannot have ‘purpose changes’
C. Selected bears who are to be bought by the government cannot have purpose changes; other unselected bears who meet the legal slaughter age can change purpose ( which means to us these bears will be slaughtered- potentially resulting in mass killing )
D. Anyone who breaks this law will be fined accordingly and the bears will be confiscated. Other materials produced such as fur, blood, bile, meat etc will be confiscated
The proposed bill is listed in 13 sections:
1. purpose of the special law
2. definition of ‘farmed bears’
3. other laws related to this proposal, unspecified
4. prohibition of cruelty to the animals
5. prohibition of further breeding
6. compensation over the phasing out breeding policy (unspecified)
7. prohibition to the purpose changes of bought bears
8. establishment of buying and managing the bought bears (governmental)
9. administration in trust of the management of bought bears
10. prohibition of buying and selling of farmed bears
11. penal regulations
12. seizure and waste materials of farmed bears
13. fine for negligence
At this time, there is no official date set for National Assembly level talks.
February 27, 2011
According to sources from Green Korea United, the Korean National Assembly (NA) has delayed talks on the bill adressing bear farming due to the recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease and the complexity of the bear bile issue. Talks are expected to resume in April, during which time 2 sessions of National Assembly meetings are anticipated.
The recent decision inspired disappointment from local advocacy groups, who had coodinated awareness campaigns to accommodate NA movment. All street campaigns will be pushed ahead 2 weeks to coincide with the delay and it is hoped that more dedicated attention will be applied to the bill dubbed ‘Farm Bear Management, Special Law”.
You can voice your opposition to bear bile farming by writing to President Lee Myung Bak
The bill was delayed last year due to the North Korea crisis, and animal welfare advocates look to spring as being a time of change for the moonbear, a threatened and endangered species.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
By eco-artist "Lupe", 2009
February 24, 2011
In September 2010, animal welfare advocates celebrated the tabling of a bill that could end bear bile farming in Korea forever. Shortly afterward, talks were put on hold as the Korean Peninsula entered a state of crisis and tensions between the 2 Koreas mounted.
As March approaches, hopes are ignited for the change we’ve been seeking: The National Assembly has confirmed plans for a re-visitation of the bill, and Congressman Hong Hee Deok is leading the way.
The schedule of the National Assembly (NA) related to the Bill, titled ‘Farm Bear Management, Special Law”, is as follows:
18 Feb: The NA was opened.
3~4 March: The Environment and Labour Committee reviews the bill (confirmed)
14 March: The Legislation Review Subcommittee reviews the bill(confirmed)
21-25 March: The closed hearing at the NA (planned)
The bill is published in Korean and available to the public. Key points include a timeline of bear bile industry history in South Korea, emphasis of the status of the species, demands for the banning of bear breeding, sales and products made from bear parts. The bill also mentions unspecified compensation for farmers, whose livelihood is threatened by the bill.
The trade was marketed by the Korean government in the early 1980s.
Thus far, no mention of sanctuary or possible euthanasia of farmed bears has been publicly adressed by government officials.
The full bill in Hangul is as follows:
———————————————————————————————————-
August 2011
je signe pour la terre
Merci beaucoup! -Kelly, Bear Necessity Korea
That would be the best news!!! Is there enough sanctuary space in Korea to home rescued bears if the bill is passed?
Hi Maren, I received your message:) This is one of our main obstacles here in Korea; creating the infrastructure to cope with the bears (which number approx 1200), and many of which have suffered extreme psychological and physical abuse. We are HOPING that our government is moving in the direction of a sanctuary-at least for a reasonable number of individuals. We have hope, but we know our situation is grave. Our mission is to advocate sanctuary and the salvation of bears at any price-and price is the key issue.
Thanks Kelly. Sanctuary would be so good. I know price is a major issue. I’m sure it can be overcome. With your determination and so many people behind you there will be a way xx
You are an inspiration. Thank you *bear hugs*
Bear hugs and lots and lots of positive energy back to you Kelly!! xx
I’m not sure Korean barbarians can change something in the positive direction. They continue torturing of innocent bears and brutal torturing and skinning alive millions dogs for food.
Korea is taking measures to end bear bile farming, so we believe they can end this particular cruel practice. We will wait and applaud when its finished, of course, but the Korean people have been shown to oppose the industry when they’re actually aware of it. I understand the anger but I don’t believe this is a barbaric ‘country’, only a barbaric practice. “I” also oppose the dogmeat industry. That is a sad, sad thing. This website doesn’t discuss it but I despise it personally.
poor bears ,,,please please please give them a chance at life
This is what we hope for-a rehabilitative system and a sanctuary. Thank you for your support and passion. You help me stay inspired-truly! I’m especially grateful for your online support and networking. Everytime I see your facebook I feel encouraged.
I’d like to have positive thoughts in future because I’m fighting for moon bears!!! I’m fighting to see every cage empty!!!
As are we! Onward-this is the year for change in Korea!
i’m fighting
Thank you!
Thank you Kelly for giving me this information. I pray that Korea will pass such a bill, but will allow those bears to go to sanctuaries. They deserve to have a good life for whatever remaining years they have. Korea needs to take responsibility for what it’s done to these bears.
Thank you for your support – your online networking is wonderful
Well done to all of you at Bear Necessity Korea. I do so hope that all your hard work is finally being realised and your perseverance in the exposure of this despicable practice is getting Koreans empowered to bring change for a better world, not only for these wonderful animals, but for all of us. Bear farming has no place in the modern world especially when so many alternatives exists and has always contravened the whole ethos of TCM healing.
On behalf of BNK, thank YOU for your compassion, encouragement and support. It’s posts like these that keep ME inspired. We are confident that this year WILL bring about change.
Yours in solidarity,
Kelly Frances
I think if this barbaric practice become illegal, we in US will try to do everything in fundraising. Many people will help. I am sure. I just learnt a couple days ago about this horrific situation with animals in Asia. I am appauled, There are not human beings who do it. They lost right to be named one.. I will boycot any korean product till this ban in place.
We think so too Lana! We believe that education is the key-and that educated people will seek to end barbarism such as bear bile farming. Thank you for your support.
Yours in solidarity,
Kelly Frances
I think the only strong international pressure and boycott could stop Korean barbarism and sadism.
We believe that international pressure is going to play a large role and we are seeking it everywhere possible. More importantly, the average Korean citizen is unaware of this practice and we know that 94% do not approve (from our last survey). There is hope.
We just saw the footprint poster campaign by the teddy bear museum and it led us here. Thanks for the incredible work, I am so impressed. We really hope the bill passes. We will try and send letters as well. Thanks again for your work.
Thank you Sunnie! You can join us in Myeongdong on May 1st if you are in Seoul. Thank you so much for your support. We appreciate it deeply!
We live in Indianapolis, IN, US, so won’t be in Seoul on the 1st, but if you have anything in between May 13th- June 6th, we could attend. Please keep us posted. We’ll be visiting then. Thanks again for your hard work Kelly!!!
Praying these bills get past to stop these barbaric practices, these beauitful moon bears and all precious life deserves their god given right to a good life. My dogs are family!
I am eagle to attend. I will try my best to be there. I am working at Museum. Sunday is bussist day however I will try my best to be there for Moonbear.
I am so happy and relieved that the government is finally considering banning this barbaric insanity ! The Moon Bears are so beautiful and precious and I have been fighting hard for them for a long time crying myself to sleep many nights. It is almost painful to go on living with all this cruetly! Also with the dogs and cats being skinned alive just makes the pit of my stomach sick!! With God on our side we will prevail! Keep fighting the fight! You are amazing and I love all of you who have worked so hard to end this!! One voice could mean millions!! Don’t ever underestimate the power of one voice!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! I believe I will adopt a Moon Bear! Big Bear Hugs Always!!!Tami